Ranger and I just read Skippyjon Jones in the Dog House before he curled up for a nap.Jim and I both have fond memories of reading time with our parents in childhood. Jim's dad read to Jim from his college children's literature textbooks. My mom often read from selections like A Child's Book of Poems, a kid's Bible, Shel Silverstein, Jack Ezra Keats, and Beatrix Potter while Dad preferred Paddington Bear and Beowulf.
As I got older, my grandma gave me the Little House and Anne of Green Gables series. My dad offered Anne McCaffery. My mom's tastes in youthful reading were evidenced by the shelves of books around my grandparents' home: bright-eyed sleuths like Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, and the Bobbsey twins cozied up to my uncle's favorite animal adventurists like Rin Tin Tin and Lassie.
Similarly, Jim's family deeply influenced his early reading. So much in fact, that he wanted to share the experience of great books with young friends. One college summer, he and preschool cousin could often be found sitting in the evening shade while Jim read The Hobbit aloud.Anyway, please take some time this month to spend with a young reader. Pledge 10, 20, or 30 minutes daily to LeapFrog's 1 Million Hours Reading campaign. It's a great way to revisit some old favorites with new eyes and voices.
Plus LeapFrog will give an awesome Tag Reader and 5 Tag books to one lucky Baby Toolkit reader who has pledged their time to read. As if that prize wasn't cool enough, the winner's local library will receive a School Edition Tag with expanded memory and 10 Tag books.
So pledge some hours of great entertainment this month, and then enter our Tag giveaway:
CONTEST HAS ENDED.
Even if you don't win the Tag, you still get an awesome prize in the time spent reading with those you love.What people and books shaped your childhood?
Oh, so very many... Anything by Laura Ingalls Wilder, the Shoes books by Noel Streatfield, Nancy Drew. Man, good stuff. Can't wait to start reading them to my daughter!
ReplyDeleteI loved all the Trixie Belden books. Nancy Drew, Laura Ingalls Wilder, L.M. Montgomery.....I did read a couple Hardy boys books too. Harriet the Spy was good too.....Oh so many!
ReplyDeleteOh, there were so very many! Let
ReplyDeletesee... the Little House series, the Boxcar Children, The Secret Garden, the Ramona Series, and Encyclopedia Brown all come to mind. This was a great question! It's made me remember even more books I want to share with my son.
There were so many books I loved. My mother was always reading. She shaped my love of reading. I hope to continue that with the girls. One of the first places I was able to go to alone (on my bike) was to the library which was 5 blocks from my house. I went many times a week. As often as possible.
ReplyDeleteMy mom instilled a love of reading. We had family read alouds of the Chronicles of Narnia. I couldn't stand the suspense, so I would sneak the book and read it during the day, so I could relax at night. Pitiful, I know.
ReplyDeleteI found my way here via parenthacks, your tantrum tip. I'm trying that tomorrow!