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DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman PHOEBEANDHERUNICORN DanaSimpson ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARREADERS»Thisis one of my favorite days of the year because this is the day I get to step out from behind my desk and advocate for literacy. I choose this particular day because it is my mother's birthday. She was a read- er, writer and teacher, and I can think of no better way to honor her memory than to ask other readers to participate in the "Book on Every Bed" project. This week many of us are scurrying around, looking for the "perfect" gift. And yet, looking back through our own holiday memories, we realize the best gifts arrive in the form of traditions. We invest these possessions with meaning, particular- ly when we connect them with nurturing relation- ships. (In fact, during a recent discussion, my older cousin told our aunt that she still has the book "Madeline" our aunt gave to her, 60 years ago.) According to a position paper from the American Academy of Pediatrics, early literacy has a direct bearing on success later in life. We don't need a study to tell us this, how- ever. Reading opens the door to all good things. I'm so proud to ad- vocate for a gift-giving tradition that is straight- forward, inexpensive and reaps boundless rewards. A "borrowed" concept: Like all my best ideas, this was stolen (bor- rowed, really). Pulitzer Prize-winning histo- rian David McCullough (author of "The Wright Brothers") once related in an interview that every Christmas morning, he and his siblings awoke to a wrapped book on their beds, delivered by Santa. Thus was born "A Bo ok o n E ve r y B ed ." This year I have partnered with Reach Out and Read (reachoutandread.org), a national organization which gives children a foundation for success by incorporating books into pediatric care and encouraging families to read aloud together. Santa does the work: Here's how it happens: You take a book. You wrap it. On Christmas Eve, you leave the book in a place where Santa is likely to find it. When I communicated with David McCullough about his idea, he was very clear: Santa handles the delivery and places the book on a child's bed. In the morning, the children in your house- hold will awaken to a gift that will outlast any toy: a guided path into the world of stories. And as our friends at Reach Out and Read remind us: give not just the gift of the book, but also provide a caring adult to share reading it aloud. I know this for sure: No matter who you are, reading will unlock un- told opportunities. When you have a book and the ability to tell, read and share stories, you gain access to the universe of others' imaginations. In honor of my mother, I'll pass along some of her wisdom: When you have a book, you are never alone. This year, let the kids wake up to 'A Book on Every Bed' YoucancontactAmy Dickinson via email: askamy@tribpub.com and follow her on Twitter @askingamy. Amy Dickinson Ask Amy Sudoku Instructions:Theobjectistoplacethe numbers1to9intheemptysquaresso thateachrow,eachcolumnandeach 3x3boxcontainsthenumberonlyonce. AnswertoPreviousPuzzle CelebrityCipher ByLuisCampos Instructions:CelebrityCiphercryptogramsarecreatedfromquotationsbyfamouspeople, pastandpresent.Eachletterinthecipherstandsforanother. NEACrossword Sagittarius(Nov.23-Dec. 21) — Don't let the decisions of others get you down. Concen- trate on your own objectives and don't stop until you achieve them. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Taking a unique approach to how you handle people will improve your reputation and popularity. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Don't feel pressured to help someone who takes advantage of you. Question the sincerity and motives of those who take but don't give back. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — You'll have plenty of creative ideas, and your imagination will help you find solutions to any problems that come your way. Romance is on the rise. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Keep moving forward, no matter what anyone else does or says. It's important to stay focused if you want to get everything on your to-do list finished. Bring about change. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Put more into your relationships with others. Your undivided attention will be appreciated and rewarded. Don't be afraid to offer unusual suggestions, it will show everyone how diverse you are. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Take a step back and be a friendly observer. Try to under- stand what others are going through and find ways to com- pensate for those who deserve patience and tolerance. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Let your creative energy flow. Decorate your home for upcom- ing festivities or check out a course that will encourage you to learn new skills. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Bring about change instead of waiting for it to come to you. A chance to travel or network will give you a better understand- ing of the opportunities that lie ahead. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Growing uncertainty about your direction and the people around you will be an issue. Reflect about what's happened in the past and use your experience to make better choices now. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Put a little muscle behind your ideas and plans. You will be able to make positive changes at home that will improve your relationships with the people close to your heart. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Nothing can stop you if you put your mind to it. Persistence coupled with relentless courage and desire will help you put your creative imagination to work. Romance is encouraged. Horoscope By Eugenia Last FRIDAY, DEC. 18 | YOURDAILYBREAK | REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015 6 B