Fantasy books, mystery books, dystopian stories, personal diaries, and traditional tales with block letters, cursive letters, or print letters. And sagas, many sagas. Students from Institut Escola Sant Felip Neri in Barcelona, aged 4 to 15, have recommended their favorite books to us, as well as those that once opened the door to the enjoyment of reading. These are their recommendations for this Sant Jordi.

Everyone is clear that reading is good and having the habit of reading is even better. For years we have been trying to do this from high schools, especially language teachers. I say we try because we don't always succeed. In a few high schools in Catalonia, half an hour is dedicated to reading every day. Where I work, this is done in all courses, from first year of ESO to second year of baccalaureate. Sometimes, on guard duty or walking through the corridors, you see that the youngest ones, those in the first cycle, still maintain the desire to read. The key word is "still", because I fear that with adolescence, a good part of the students lose the reading habit. Some, unfortunately, forever.

When winter arrives and the Tió de Nadal (a traditional Catalan Christmas log) starts to get fatter, books become one of the most special gifts: they last, they're reread, they're shared, and they create memories. We've selected ten suggestions for all ages and tastes: classics that stir emotions, picture books to look at again and again, books with cats, adventures to get lost in, and stories that spark conversations. This Christmas, make sure there are plenty of stories to read together.

Reading is a journey into an unknown world full of experiences that guide the reader page after page. For children, accompanying them in this reading allows them to open a window to new worlds. "When a child reader receives a message through accompanied reading, they imagine the story through that voice, recreate it, and make it their own. Furthermore, this intervention helps awaken their sense of creativity," observes Margarida Falgàs, a retired teacher, educator, coordinator of children's reading clubs, and member of the Fira organizers.