" Once I read a story about a butterfly in the subway, and today I saw one. I couldn't believe it. It got on at 42nd -- and got off at 59th, where I assume it was going to Bloomindale's to buy a hat that will turn out to be a mistake. As almost all hats are."
"So much of what I see reminds me of something I read in a book, when shouldn't it be the other way around?"
"When you read a book as a child, it becomes a part of your identity in a way that no other reading in your whole life does."
The last one is particularly powerful for me. I read so much as a child and many of those books are still a part of who I am. I love making lists, and I love having a special place for my lists to live. I never really thought anything of it until my junior year of college. I was in the basement of the library looking for books to read for my children's literature class and I found Anastasia Krupnik by Lois Lowry. I read this book many times as a child. And right there, in the first few pages, Anastasia opens up a notebook and begins to make lists. They are printed, in her handwriting, throughout the book. I really think that's where my affinity for a notebook of lists came from.
Last Christmas, I gave a copy of the novel my then 8-year-old niece. I love reading my old favorites to my nieces and nephews and to the little kids I baby-sit for. I hope they can become a positive part of who they are to become. I know my childhood books did.
What books were your favorites as a child. I have so many, I'll probably make a whole other post, but were there ones that still have an impact on you today? Do events in your real life ever remind you of happenings you read about in a book? Do tell.
1 comment:
The Secret Garden left an indelible mark on my life. And later on Jane Eyre was just as important. I think I am drawn to the idea of strong willed female characters.
I am going to add your book, Anastasia Krupnik, to my list to get for my neice for her upcoming birthday.
Thanks for the idea.
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