It began with cloth books my son could chew on. I’d tuck one in the corner of his crib once he fell asleep, hoping he’d find it and be entertained for a few moments before he called for me.We graduated to board books, and Richard Scarry’s Cars and Trucks and Things That Go was a huge favorite. He and his brothers after him all giggled at banana cars and apple cars. There was so much to see in those books!
I looked for books that boys would love and found chunky board ones with wheels, shaped like firetrucks. They loved them; they played, made siren sounds, and begged for the story.
One of Mom’s laptime favorites? Is Your Mama a Llama.
"Is your Mama a llama? I asked my friend Rhonda." "I think not, is how Rhonda responded."
I loved the rhyme, and the boys did, too.
The Very Lonely Firefly by Eric Carle is remembered to this day by “boys” of 19 and 20 years old. The illustrations, the story, and oh, the anticipation as they waited for that last page full of twinkling fireflies.
Every night, several times a day, often in the car – books, books, books. There was nothing grander. Of the four boys, only the youngest is still a teen (barely), and they’re all still readers. Different kinds of readers, but they still love a good story and great information. And they think, and they talk about what they read. I love it.
I love a good book, and I guess I must have passed it on.
And a boy with a book? Nothing grander.
Linking up with Hope Is the Word today with a retrospective Read Aloud Thursday post. Good memories!
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7 comments:
richard scarry anything was a hit here. we still quote. if something has gone on too long we'll say it was a richard scarry whatever. you know, richard scarry's longest faculty meeting ever. like that. i got to read aloud to my nephew recently. loved.
So true, Laura! I've raised readers (boys and girl) and it thrills me to see them engrossed in a book. One of the most important things I did for them as little ones was read aloud to all of them.
Hope there's a good book in your day today!
Reading is a big hit here as well. Books, books, books everywhere. We have shelves and shelves of books and still make many trips to the library.
I have and am still working to make sure my kids love reading and know how important it is. So far all three love books! Yeah!
Great post! How nice to hear that you've raised four readers.
And I love Is your mama a llama!
Oh, I'm so glad you joined in RAT this week! It's so encouraging to read this retrospective post!
I read to Rowan every night -- we are currently very into the Magic Treehouse series. It's an excuse to snuggle with my too-busy-to-snuggle boy, too -- icing on the cake!
Thanks for reminding me how important this is. I tend to forget to read to my baby boy since he's not yet two and read more to the four year old, but man it starts early doesn't it?
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