When I was four, I read my first book on my own out loud, Green Eggs and Ham, by Dr. Seuss. My favorite activity in the whole world is to read.

When school first shut down due to coronavirus in March 2020, my mom and I knew, like everyone else, that the country could possibly be closed for a while, so while everyone else was stocking up on toilet paper, we went to the Nashua Public Library and stocked up on books.

Every day that I have time (and if I don’t have time I will make time) I will read the book that I have been dying to finish all week and get lost in the character’s world.

Reading fiction and nonfiction are both enjoyable and important, especially for kids. As a youth ambassador for two international nonprofit organizations, I read lots of books to educate myself about animals and the environment. I have worked as an animal activist for two years, and my work has been recognized in multiple places, including being a Top 20 Finalist for the first-ever Time Kid of the Year in 2020.

Through my YouTube channel, Kid Conservationist, I share the gift of reading with other children with my book readings, which in total have over 20,000 views.

My love of reading and conservation has inspired me to write my own children’s book, Kawan the Orangutan: Lost in the Rainforest, about a baby orangutan (my goal is to get orangutans off the endangered species list) who gets separated from his mom and relies on the help of his friends to help find her. For every book bought, a tree is planted in the rainforest, so not only do my books educate others about a cause I am passionate about, but they also are helping the world. I hope that through my book and YouTube book readings, I share my love of reading and inspire others.

I don’t know what I would do without books, and I hope others try out my recommendations so they too can discover new series and adventures.