Superheroes and insects

THERE are plenty of characters in the fantasy world to tickle the fancy of a toddler. Sim Polenn knows this well, having read stories featuring Batman, Captain America, Hulk, Ironman, SpiderMan, Superman, Thor, and Ultraman, along with Carnage, Doctor Octopus, Green Goblin and Rhino, to his three-year-old son.

“Jadenn will ask me to read them two or three times to him, before switching to other books, like the one he likes on bugs. He likes superheroes, but he likes insects too,” says Polenn, 36.

Every week, he takes his son to a bookstore in the neighbourhood mall, where they spend hours in the study corner.

“It is a good place to read to Jadenn. He used to watch a lot of cartoons, but shortly after he turned two, I decided to start reading to him. I am very happy to see how eager he is to be read to and how inquisitive he has become. He throws many questions at us now!” he says.

Polenn, who is the director of an art auction house, does not hold back on gushing about his firstborn, calling him a bundle of joy and the greatest blessing in his life. He estimates that he has given him more than 35,000 kisses to date.

“I believe that spending time together with your child is very important. Since Jadenn came along, I have made it a point to be at home most nights. I do not remember my father reading to me when I was young, so I hope to change that with my son,” he says.

Polenn reads more to Jadenn now than he does himself, but he recalls a point in his life when he once read 60 books in five months.

“The effect was amazing: confidence, knowledge on a myriad of subjects, an imagination and creativity booster. The experience was superb and I hope that my son will discover the joys of reading for himself one day.”