Book wise

Between the lines

Remember the last time Mum asked you to switch off the television and read a book instead' You should have listened ' after all, books not only help you improve your language skills, they also keep you safe. Recent research at a UK hospital shows that reading protects children from childhood accidents. Researchers looked at two weekends ' June 21, 2003 and July 16, 2005 ' which marked the release of the last two Harry Potter (HP) books, Order of the Phoenix and Half-Blood Prince. Both weekends saw a fewer number of accidents involving children reported at the hospital. The obvious conclusion is that children were far too busy poring over the HP books at home to indulge in any mischief. There is a downside of course ' too much of reading may make you averse to physical exercise. Anyway, next time Mum asks you to stay out of trouble, ask her to buy you a book of your choice.

taste trail

All that glitters

This is one gift you possibly can’t ask Mum for ' not even on your birthday. Yes, it is just a bar of chocolate we are talking about, but this one ' manufactured by a Swiss chocolate maker ' is plated with a 24-carat gold leaf. The covering is so thin that it actually makes the gold fit to be consumed. Launched around Christmas in Europe, the chocolate costs about '15 a bar.