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I’m an avid reader, a bookworm, a bibliophile. I try to have at least 2 books going at once. That’s not precisely a goal, its just that with children, I’ve found I really have to do it that way; one for the car (when they fall asleep), one next to the bed (before I fall asleep), and one just lying conveniently around the house for when I am feeling like I might fall asleep, yet children are requiring my presence, and I need to rejuvenate, just for a moment. Do you catch a theme, here? I’ve worked in libraries (though I’m not actually a librarian, perhaps in another life I was, or will be). I can specifically recall how old I was & even where I was while reading certain books (i.e. fourth grade library circle time, The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S.Lewis). I have a really hard time throwing an old book away, and would definitely count reading in my top 5 things to do. Maybe even top 3: One being family time. Two being reading. Three being eating a quality piece of dark chocolate. Of course, you can read while eating chocolate, so maybe that really needs to share spot number two. :)
So it comes as no surprise that our 4 yo is fast becoming a big reader, too. We’ve read to our children since they each were in utero. I vividly remember 5 years ago, going out with Adam, picking out Dr. Seuss’ ABC book & taking turns reading aloud to my growing belly. Our children have far more books than toys. Or clothes. Actually, more books than both combined; and I’m even counting individual socks. I can stop a tantrum dead in its tracks just by saying, “Would you like me to read a book?” We just have this thing for books, you know? Maybe it’s that I really can’t find a single thing wrong with a book. Too expensive? Well, you really can’t quantify the properties of a good book. And besides, I’m not one to turn up my nose to a used book store or yard ($.25 copy of Go Dog Go? Could a person POSSIBLY say no to that?) Okay, so how about too sedentary? Well, I’ve been known to (try to, anyhow) read on the treadmill. Or while doing dishes. Or cooking. So that’s a nonstarter. Too… I dunno? I really can’t think of anything else that could possibly be listed as a detriment of a book. They make great gifts, are portable, interesting, exciting, the list goes on. Assuredly, there are less-than-riveting stories, and less-than-eloquent authors, but I just can’t fathom not reading just to avoid potential literary disappointment. We love books. Anyhow, I digress…
When I say our 4 yo is becoming a big reader, I mean, she reads anything & everything she can get her eyes on and wants to know exactly what everything means in the words, not just what they say: signs “Mom, but why can’t you turn on red?”, magazines, mail, books – mine & hers. She writes letters to me & her brother. She plays Boggle. (Even by herself, if I’m not readily available). And when all other word options have been exhausted, she waits ever so patiently for her brother to guess the right letter when quizzing him on the alphabet (totally unprompted by me, I really must add), and does quite a good job at hiding her astonishment in the realization that her 2yo cohort can’t yet read.
So it was when she was reading my book over my shoulder, trying to piece together context from difficult words she was mostly correctly sounding out, that I came to the realization that she truly has a passion for words. In most things, I’m a “prepare the environment & let the child explore” type of parent. But in this case, maybe because her enthusiasm for books is so close to my own heart, I’m willing to take a bit more active role in fostering this passion.
With that in mind, I decided to sit down & think of my most beloved early books; both ones read to me, and ones I read on my own. I’ve compiled a list, for your enjoyment, and my reference; as I plan to work my way through these books, reading to her & with her, topic-appropriately (meaning, while I can’t wait to share 1984 with my children, I’m not sure they’re quite ready for Big Brother & Newspeak).
I hope that in reviewing the list, some titles will bring back memories, as they have for me! And if there’s something missing, please feel free to comment & share your own most treasured childhood books.
Happy reading.
Kelly’s Most Favorite Books (pre-adolescence):
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
Charlie & The Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
Heidi by Johanna Spyri
The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle by Betty MacDonald
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
Watership Down by Richard Adams
Where The Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle