You know how you have those things…those things you are going to do, those things you want to do, yet can never remember to do at at time when they can actually be done?
I have lots of those things. And by some miracle from above, last week I remembered to do one of them, at a time when it was physically feasible and not be interrupted by a child before the task was completed.
That thing? Was to order this:
My mom read my brothers and I both Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little when we were kids. I’ll never forget piling onto my bed in my small bedroom with my mom and older brothers and listening to her read to us about Zuckerman’s Famous Pig and his hairy black savior. The suspense! The excitement each time the clever Charlotte spelled out just the right message to give Wilbur a longer leash on life. And of course, the poignant ending. The lesson that life does eventually end, and begin again.
I liked Stuart Little as well, of course, and the Little House and Chronicles of Narnia books mom read us also, but it was Charlotte’s Web I wanted to read again and again. I loved the movie, too. But mostly I loved that special time with my mom. The coziness, the sound of her voice, the exciting stories. Not being able to wait until the next night when we’d continue the story. Those are all picture-perfect childhood memories for me.
I am really excited that I am now reading it with my big kids. I was probably Sophie’s age when I first heard Charlotte’s Web read to me, which means my mom was about my age at the time. That’s crazy to think about, but totally cool too. I’m not much into making my kids think that life is magical and that everything they did as a child was sprinkled with fairy dust, but if I can even come close to re-creating the memories for them that reading with my mom left me with, I will be very, very happy. And hopefully, so will they. I’m praying our reading time together will leave them with some memories of how wonderful books can be and how much their mom loved spending time with them. I’m praying I can shake off the impatience and weariness that sometimes dogs me at bedtime and just savor the time with them and their eager and curious little minds.
Two chapters down, so far so good! Man, I love this book. And those kiddos!
What books were special to you as a child? What books are you reading with your kids?
I read Winston Churchill’s History of The English Speaking Peoples when I was nine. But then, I was an odd child.
UP
Sweet memories for me,too!
we read charlotte’s web & stuart little over the summer, too! my boys loved them. currently we’re readying judy blume’s fudge series. they think it’s hilarious!
Charlotte’s Web was my all-time favorite too! My daughter read it last year and loved it too. My other favorite was always The Secret Garden which I am hoping she will love too. My sister and I also devoured all the Sweet Valley Twins and Babysitter’s Club books! They may not have had as much lasting power on their own but they really did help establish a love of reading.
I love this idea! As soon as Kate could read well herself, I got away from reading to her. I’m going to do this!
Charlotte’s Web was one of my all time favorite books as a child. In 2nd grade, I got to name the class hampster & of course her name became Charlotte. The story I remember most being read to me was Charlie & the chocolate factory. My 1st grade teacher read it to us in the spring. He would take us outside & we would all sit under a big tree to listen to the magical tale of Charlie & Willie Wonka.
A Wrinkle in Time sticks out…and the Narnia books. I just re-read Bridge to Terabithia and was impressed by how well it reads even in adulthood.
BTW, just last night I just finished writing a psychological paper about how mothers telling stories and reading to their children instills powerful coping techniques as they grow – and opened your post this morning! What a neat coincidence!