One Woman s View: Read to a child during book week
Contributing writer
Children's Book Week is Nov. 13-19. Yes, this is the second column in a row I've written about books, but readers who know me probably are not surprised. Children and books are definitely a winning combination. Parents who nurture a love of reading in their children are giving them a precious gift which lasts a lifetime.
I was fortunate in growing up in a house filled with books. My parents were on a tight budget, so there was not a lot of money to spend on new books. However, they, like their daughter, had apparently never thrown away a book. We had books my parents had read as children, books my mother had used in teaching, and books Dad had bought by the box at auction sales. When I was very young I was occasionally given new Little Golden Books, which cost a quarter in those days, and I usually did get a few new books from Santa every Christmas.
One gap in my childhood reading experiences was access to a public library. We lived 12 miles from the nearest one, and my mother seldom went into Ellsworth where the library was. It was not until I was old enough to go to town with Dad, wander around on my own, and meet him back at the car that I discovered the public library. It was like discovering Aladdin's treasure cave.
Even now I seldom come to Hillsboro or Marion without spending some time at the public library. It does my heart good to see parents bringing in their little ones. It never is too soon to introduce children to the wonderful world of books. If any parent reading this has not yet brought your child (or children) to the library, Children's Book Week would be a very good time to start.
If I have any readers who consider reading a frivolous way for children to spend their time, think again. Of course, I consider reading for the pure joy of it a great way to spend your time. However, if you are too imbued with the Puritan work ethic to realize that, think about the other benefits to the child who is a reader. If you introduce children to books early, they will probably become good readers. That means they are more likely to excel academically in all subjects. They will have the means to be informed citizens, and informed citizens are what makes democracy work. They will be able to understand information they need for their jobs. Reading equips your children for life.
Curling up in solitude with a good book is a pleasure, but so is reading aloud. Since I grew up in the era before television, my family did a lot of reading aloud in the evenings. Sometimes it was quite informal. We'd be sitting around reading our separate books, magazines, or newspapers, and someone would say, "Hey! Listen to this." Then he would share something he found funny or thought-provoking. My aunt, who was sort of a third parent, was blind, so she had a "talking book machine" and borrowed books on records. If she got one of interest to all of us, she would bring the player into the living room, and we would all listen. When anyone else in the family read something we thought Aunt Mattie would enjoy we read aloud to her. Times of reading aloud are among my coziest childhood memories.
Celebrate Children's Book Week by taking time to read to a child. If you are a parent, I hope you do this on a daily basis anyway. If you are a grandparent, I'll bet your grandchildren will think a read-aloud session with you is a great treat. If your children or grandchildren are old enough, encourage them to read to you as well. Those of us who do not have children or grandchildren may find this celebration a challenge, but I'm hoping to find a child who will listen to me read aloud during that week.
If you are wondering what to read, my opinion is that the choice of a book is much less important than the mere fact that you are reading to your child. Young children are not likely to tire of nursery rhymes, fairy tales, and Dr. Seuss. If you do want to expand their horizons, your librarian can help you find good reading. I think Leo Leonni is one of the best writers for small children. As they grow older, each child will develop individual interests which should be considered.
Two classics I devoured as a child were Carol Ryrie Brink's "Caddie Woodlawn" and L.M. Montgomery's "Anne of Green Gables" and its sequels. Of course, Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House series fascinates many youngsters. I was an adult before I discovered C.S. Lewis' "Tales of Narnia" series, but I think they are great children's literature.
Two good modern writers are Beverly Cleary and Katherine Paterson. Of course, these are only a few suggestions to get you started; there may be others which appeal much more to your particular young audience.
Somewhere I have read a poem ending with two lines which sum up my attitude toward reading. If I could remember who wrote them, I would give credit, but I don't. They go like this: "Richer than I you could never be, for I had a mother who read to me."
Editor's note: You may have tangible wealth untold; Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold. Richer than I you can never be, I had a mother who read to me.
Strickland Gillilan 1869-1954
