'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Friday 20 March 2015

KBR Short Story: If You Swallow a Book

by Dana Sterner


If you swallow a book you might be surprised. It happened to me. It could happen to you.

I swallowed a book about Dinosaurs, about a Stegosaurus and a Spinosaurus, and before I knew it, I was a Megalosaurus. It happened to me. It could happen to you.

If you chomp on a book about slaying a dragon, and finish before bed, you could be knighted for bravery - by your mother the Queen. It happened to me. It could happen to you.

If you chew on a book about pirates and treasure, and eat the whole book you could learn all their tricks then dig up their gold. But you might have to share with your sister. It happened to me. It could happen to you.

If you swallow a book about an African safari you could learn about jungles, and make your sister run from the lions, scream at the snakes, and laugh at the gorillas. It happened to me. It could happen to you.

If you swallow a book about outer space you could chart the galaxy, chase a comet, and discover new stars. All in your very own space ship. It happened to me. It could happen to you.

If you swallow a book about Ancient Rome you could build cities and roads, bridges and walls, and a big palace where your mother brings you cookies. It happened to me. It could happen to you.

If you gulp down a book about racing you could speed around obstacles, splash in the mud, squeal your wheels, and leave tracks on the floor. You could win the grand prize, and the crowd would cheer. It happened to me. It could happen to you.

If you swallow a book about super heroes - be prepared to fly around the room, knock down tall buildings, and defend the universe! That’s what I did, and so could you.

If you swallow a book about American History, and wear a stovepipe hat, and give a long speech, your mother will clap. It happened to me. It could happen to you.

If you swallow a book about another country you might learn their language, and tell your father “auf wiedersehen” when you leave for school. That’s goodbye in German. It happened to me. It could happen to you.

If you snack on a book about solving a mystery you could become a detective, and crack the case of who took the last cookie.

If you swallow a book about an Olympic gold medalist, a famous inventor, or maybe a writer - you could be that too!

So don’t be afraid to swallow or chomp, chew or gulp, nibble or snack on a very good book. It’s always an adventure, and it could happen to you.

Remember - you are what you read!


The inspiration for this story came from Dana’s son who is an avid reader with a vivid imagination. As a Registered Nurse, Dana Sterner has written for health and fitness magazines, but her real passion is writing stories that will encourage children to read. You can email Dana here


KBR Short Stories are a way to get your work ‘out there’—and to delight our KBR readers. Stories are set to a monthly theme and entries are due in the 25th of each month. Find out more here.