I have fond memories of curling up in my mom and dad’s bed with wet hair and pajamas on, ready for my mother to read one of the several books off my bookshelf. With me on one side of my mom and my older sister on the other, we would savor every word brought off the pages of those books and out of my mom’s soft relaxing voice. I cannot remember how often she read to us but I do remember the classic “Tale of the Fourth Grade Nothing” by Judy Blume always being our first choice. My sister and I loved all of Judy Blume's books, we also became interested in the American Girl books when we were a little bit older. After my mom thought it was time for us girls to read by ourselves I rarely enjoyed reading. I did have my favorite “Dear Diary” series that I enjoyed which was a historical fiction series but other than that I did not read very often. I do remember my teachers reading to me when I was younger. We read books about health and our bodies, stories that related to other subject matters. I did not really start reading for pleasure until I went to college. My mom bought me several books before I began college and told me that I needed to not just focus on required books but venture outwards. It has become an escape for me to read books now. When I have the fortunate opportunity to read a really good book I have trouble putting it down. I think it brings me back to the younger years when I would get so excited to read a good book with my mom.
-Megan Cotterman
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I loved the "Dear Diary" books. I always enjoyed reading them. I might have to read those again. Thanks for reminding me of them.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful recollection, Megan. I hope you enjoyed writing it as much as I enjoyed reading it. Your mom sounds wonderful. I hope you'll share this post with her as well. So often parents do so many wonderful things, but they don't always hear how much their children appreciate the "little things."
ReplyDeleteAnother interesting point in your post concerns your comment about hating reading when you were old enough to read on your own. It is really important to remember that kids of all ages generally enjoy being read to. Think about a child in kindergarten. Of course his/her parents will read aloud a lot, because the child can't read on his/her own yet. Later, the child gains beginning skills in reading; he or she is able to read the Frog and Toad books, Chester, Harry the Dirty Dog, Junie B. Jones, etc. I wouldn't stop reading aloud to this child though. Let him/her read these books on his/her own, because they are on the appropriate instructional level (not too easy and not too hard). However, as a parent or teacher, still take the time to read aloud those books that are above the child's reading level, such as Judy Blume's books or The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, or Holes. Later, when the child can manage these books on his/her own, read The Pearl or Our Town aloud. It helps a child strive to continue to improve his/her reading skills, because they will be eager to read the more difficult books independently; for the time being, they still enjoy priceless time with Mom or Dad.
Alright, I'm climbing down from my soapbox now. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
I loved the "Dear Diary" books and "The American Girl Collection" becuase it gave me a taste of history from someone around my ages eyes instead of from an adults point of view.
ReplyDeleteI also loved "Tale of a Fourth Grade Nothing" and all of the "American Girl" books! The American Girl books were so good I made my mom take me to the library all the time to see if they had a new one! (They were really popular and many would have already been checked out by the time I got there.)
ReplyDeleteI love the author Judy Blume, she was one of the authors that I was interested in growing up. My favorite book by her would have to be "Dear God...it's me Margret." That book was so funny and true on all the different references to life in this day in age. I also remeber reading "Blubber" by her as well, again being very interesting in most books written by Judy Blume!
ReplyDelete