When cataloging a children's book, I ran across this poem. I thought it was nice and wanted to share.
In Praise of Books (excerpt), by al-Jahiz (full name Abu Uthman Amr ibn Bahral-Jahiz)
A book is a garden you can hold in your hand, An orchard you can take on your lap.
A book is a companion who sleeps only when you are asleep, And speaks only when you wish him to.
A book is a tree that lives long and bears delicious and abundant fruit That is easy to pick and perfectly ripe at all times of the year.
A book obeys you by night and by day, abroad and at home, It has no need of sleep and does not grow weary from sitting up.
An interesting little fact: according to this book, al-Jahiz was born in Basra in 776 and was the leading literary and intellectual figure of his age. 1300 years later and the same holds true for books today! :)
Joan