‘Where are the children’s books, please? Asked Matilda. Mrs Phelps showed her. Shall I find you a nice one with lots of pictures in it ? she said.
I’m sure I can find something. Said Matilda.
After that, she walked down to the library every afternoon and sat quietly in a corner reading?
‘What can I read next? She asked Mrs Phelps one day. I vefinished all thechildren’s books?
You mean you’ve looked at the pictures?
Yes, but I’ve read the books, too? Said Matilda.
Mrs Phelps was very surprised? How old are you, Matilda? She asked.
Four years and three months? Answered Matilda.
Mrs Phelps was even more surprised, but she was too sensible to show it. What sort of book would you like to read next? She asked.
‘A really good one? Said Matilda. A famous one?
So Mrs phelps gave her Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, a very famous English writer. For the next few
Afternoons she watched Matilda in the corner with the book on her knees.
During the next six months, Matilda read fourteen ‘famous books’ by different writers, and Mrs Phelps watched with surprise and excitement.
You can borrow books form libraries and take them home, Matilda? She said one day. Did you know?
Can I? Said Matilda. And after that, she visited the library once every week to borrow new books and to return the old ones. And every afternoon she read. The books took her to Africa with Ernest Hemingway, to India with Rudyard Kipling, and to many other wonderful placed.