How many of you watched the opening ceremonies of the Olympics? If you did, can you guess what my favorite segment was? I loved the salute to children’s literature. I think it’s wonderful that Britain values its literary history so highly as to devote part of their worldwide stage to it. Before tonight, I hadn’t really thought about the amazing legacy that British authors have created for children. From J. M. Barrie to P. L. Travers to J. K. Rowling… wow, they really love their initials over there, don’t they?

What would a child’s literary world be without Peter Pan and Tinkerbell? Without Captain Hook, Neverland and believing in “second star to the right, and straight on til morning?” Without the wonder of children who never grow up?

And who would we be without Mary Poppins? Without “a spoonful of sugar” and “supercalifragilisticexpealidocious” and tea parties on the ceiling? Without the magic of seeing the world from a different perspective?

And of course, what would the world be without Harry Potter? J. K. Rowling made the love of reading cool again for kids (and adults) across the world, paving the way for millions of new readers to experience further literary delights.

Thank you, Britain, for giving us these wonderful authors, and many others, who contributed to my personal love of reading!