Six-year-old Alberto Salomon tears a finished drawing out of his notebook while playing in his Sacramento home October 23, 2006. Book of Dreams readers bought him a child-size desk and chair.

Desk work thrills inquisitive Albertito

DREAM: Child-size desk and chair
TOTAL: $500

Albertito Salomon has a special place to write stories, draw pictures and complete his schoolwork.

Book of Dreams readers purchased a new child's desk and chair for the 6-year-old boy, who is full of energy and loves to draw and write.

Jesus Alberto "Albertito" Salomon is an inspiration to those who meet him. Burned over 90 percent of his body from a house fire in his native Mexico, the child seeks to comfort others, rather than to be comforted.

With enthusiasm for just about everything in life - from Noah's Ark to Bob the Builder - Albertito lights up the world of his caregivers at Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California.

"He makes your day when he comes to see us," said Ana Guerrero, a social worker at Shriners who has worked closely with Albertito's family since they came to Sacramento from Mexico to seek care for their son.

Albertito's mother, Narda Chinchillas, told Guerrero that Albertito "just loves the desk."

"He doesn't want to be in any other place but at his desk," Guerrero said, translating a conversation she had with the child's mother in Spanish. "They are very thankful for what they got from the Sacramento Bee (readers)."