Storybooks
I must send Mr. Badger off to Mags. He's in a bag, waiting to go to Ireland. Remember when I said I wanted to read Noel Streatfeild's shoe books again? I didn't know about Party Shoes but I have it now and it takes place just after World War II and it has a very nostalgic charm. Delicious! I do love stories. Today I will conference with my students and discuss the ten books they have read over the course of the trimester. I wish they'd read the old storybooks. My friend Frances has written GOOD books for kids, but some of the newer fiction for the middle grades doesn't honor them or lead them to good places.
I still believe they need characters like Mole to fall in love with, to know. I've told you how much I love Harriet the Spy. I will always love her. I will always love Ramona Quimby. I will ALWAYS love The Great Brain. Have you read Where the Red Fern Grows? If you haven't and you'd like a really good cry, read it. E.B.White wrote the masterpiece Stuart Little and Charlotte's Web. The Trumpet of the Swan is also absolutely magic.
Books are such friends, such treasures. Miracles, really.
Might you dip into a storybook today? Maybe you could read just one passage and be transported to another world, a world of innocence and goodness. Doesn't that sound sweet?
The stars in the sky this morning were so twinkly. Now the sun is rising and we'll have another golden day. Ahhhhh.
11 comments:
I. don't know much about youth fiction anymore, but honestly, the classics cannot be replaced. Thank you for sharing that love for your kids.
I. don't know much about youth fiction anymore, but honestly, the classics cannot be replaced. Thank you for sharing that love for your kids.
There is nothing more wonderful than to share a book with a child :)
I totally agree with you. It makes me so sick that the things peddled today for kids is the most part just sad trash. When my daughter was in college had to take a literature class, and the books they read were so bad. I wondered why, when there are so many great books out there. Being exposed to Wind in the Willows or Anne or The Little Princess. All of them are old fiends. That is a good idea, I wonder what old friend I will pick up. Have a delightful day, my friend. I feel normal today. :)
enjoy your day!
Just this afternoon I was chatting to my class's English teacher, and we were bemoaning their class novel, which is gritty and disturbing. We wondered when schools decided that wholesome, inspiring, adventurous, fun books were not adequate anymore. I want magic in my books now! Please write some...
That entire list of books/writers you mentioned are ones my children have grown up with. Peter loved the Great Brain. The girls loved Ramona and Harriet. I loved Red Fern. So many good stories! Trumpet of the Swan? Yes! Once Julia counted the books in her room when she was in elem. and I think she had around 1000. Now her books are fewer but larger :)
We shall go to our local used bookstore tomorrow and see what she has! Her delivery arrives on Wednesdays.
I'm thinking I need to visit Ratty and Mole again. Badger definitely needs a trip to Ireland in this winter weather before he decides to hibernate.
I have read Stuart Little, and Charlotte's Web, but none of the other books you mentioned. I'm fond of Lousia May Alcott books, and Laura Ingalls Wilder. They are the only ones I've kept from my childhood. I always enjoy reading your posts, they lift my spirits! Thank you. :)
i LOVE all those books! Must reads for children, in my opinion.
I'm sorry I've not been very faithful with my comments, Pompom.
I love story books. I still read children's books from time to time. For mysterious fantasy I think you can't beat the Susan Cooper "Dark is Rising" series. Fantastic!
And Robert Westall's "The Wind Eye" is great too. Really rather creepy but gripping.
I so agree. I keep turning Benjamin back to the wonderful classics and away from books about underwear! I want him to read rich books, not time consuming books. I never want to grow too old not to enjoy a child's book.
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