Friday 4 March 2011

:: I :: Heart :: Books ::



:: It's been World Book Day Today::

And smallest person dressed up as her favourite book character 

:: Mr Mole :: from Wind in the Willows ::


Now I have to admit, dressing up days fill me with terror - Have I got the right day? is usually the first thought, as I sneak a peak at other children on the way to school 
:: Yes, plenty of Dorothy's and Superheros ::

Then there is the panic as small one says she wants to be a mole. 
:: Not a princess - no, that would be far to easy, as we already have plenty of princess clothes ::

There is a flashback to the time I sent my 3year old to school as a Knight, the only one in a homemade costume, and his teacher kindly pointing out, that his tin foil covered wellies had shed all over the Nursery. 
:: No prizes with the teacher there then, despite the 3yr old wearing black glittery tights in leui of chain mail trousers ::

And then the reminder by the husband that small person is worried about wether her outfit would be ready.
:: As he boards a plane for 3 days away - & I am juggling work, smalls & house ::

I am a mummy who responds well to pressure though. Thankfully, rolled up big brother's trousers & waistcoat come in handy. A Blue Peter moment with the pipe cleaners, and 

:: Ta-Da! Mr Mole and a happy small one ::



:: I love books whatever day it is ::

As a child I read early, and grew up with my nose in a book. Being sent to my bedroom was bliss in a house of 6 children... Childhood memories of Enid Blytons Faraway Tree, & Wishing Chair. Reading my mum's 'What Katie Did' books. Tucking my book under the duvet, so I could read in the light summer evenings when I should have been asleep. Teachers reading, and leaving us at the end of day, wanting the next chapter....

Growing up with books full of romance & passion, thinking, hoping that life would immitate art....

Still now, I read whenever I can. There is always a pile of books at my bedside, inviting, tempting me to pick up and read... Distracting me from the house work, taking me away from the day, quietening my mind.

:: How I dislike a book that doesn't grip me, or limps to an end. Frustrating. What a waste of anticipation and excitment ::

I like a book that I learn from, or that takes me away, challanges my preconceptions. A book that makes me laugh, or one that makes me weep. A book that I can still feel days/weeks after I read it. 

I measure holiday's by the books I have managed to read


:: I am lucky to have one natural reader. She loves her books almost as much as her mum ::





The 10 year old has been far different. He struggled to read initially, with the concentration of a gnat, reading just wasn't his thing. Unless it was short factual reading. Big hits have been the annual Guiness Book of Records, or books about inventions, tractors, dinosaurs....

But a story book? No way, never, not on your nellie...

:: Until Cosmic Boy - which rocked his reading world ::


Superficially I have to admit, I liked the shiny jacket, & I really was just trying in desperation.... He picked it up, and didn't want to put it down. I had to listen to potted snippets at the dinner table. I realised he may have some of his mum in him after all. I gave thanks....

:: Then his honorary Aunty L bought him the first two Harry Potter Books ::

Now there is no stopping him, one Amazon shop later and he is on the penultimate book. He sets his alarm in the morning, so he can read for an hour before school.

There was even some serious half term PJ wearing reading. I think it has helped that he hasn't seen the films, so the books are holding his attention and his imagination is running riot...


 :: Now I am looking for the next book to feed him ::

 And G?


Well you can't have it all ways, & really his bed time reading is quite interesting, and could be worse....


Finally, I have discovered this book - It is a gem, and I think it deserves a post of its own....

:: Perhaps you will indulge me? ::


Love Lydia xx

15 comments:

  1. I love this post! So pleased I'm not the only one who worries that she's got the date right and is sending her child of all dressed up on the wrong day! Your little one looks fabulous as Mr Mole, those glasses are a triumph. I read the Island a couple of years ago which was fab and just read the Shadow of the Wind which was really good too, it was my book group book for January. T has always loved being read to but doesn't like reading himself. He loves to listen to stories on CD though. He is currently listening to the Charlie Higson young James Bond book and enjoyed Stormbreaker a lot too.
    Enjoy all you read!
    Lisa x

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  2. Like Lisa, I too loved this post. Hubby, DQ and I are all avid readers. The young man will read anything currently that his very young and pretty english teacher suggests!! Can I just say that Mummy's do a fantastic job. I don't know many men that fit child care in as well as a job. The luxury of having a wife! That mole costume is absolutely fantastic - you have a lot of originality and talent in your home. xxxxx

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  3. I gobble up books!! always have..
    Little one looks so cute, almost bookwormish in her outfit!!
    I'd love to take a closer look at your collections..feel free to do another post on the..
    I had a Kindle for Christmas...living here, it's very difficult to get books..and when I want a book..I want it NOW!! which I can do with Kindle, I order and it's with me in secs ( wi-fi) fantastic!! I still order 'real' craft books though.
    Take care
    x

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  4. The mole outfit is fantastic. Has your son read the Wimpy kid books, my son is also ten and reads a lot, but mainly non fiction, give him a book with lists and stats and he is very happy, he read the first Wimpy kid book a couple of weeks ago and then flew through the rest....

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  5. Mr Mole is so cute (& clever) - what a refreshing change from princesses!
    My son was exactly like that re: books - he read lots but only information books, history books (and the Guiness book of Records too) he would only read fictional story books if prompted to read together with me .... I was saddened that he was missing out on so much. But to my suprise he took a whopping big book (Eragon) on hols to Cornwall last year and didn't put it down for two solid days .... at aged 10 1/2 he suddenly morphed into a complete fiction book addict (but still reads the info. books too). He read all the Harry Potter books within a month and the school librarian is his new best friend.

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  6. I have really enjoyed your post! I love to read too - quite a range!

    I do lots of reading with children and have observed many times how odd ones have no interest in reading and struggle with it and then one day they suddenly just 'get it' and become able to read well and want to read all the time! It's always a nice moment to observe! I don't think it matters what your son is reading - as long as he is reading and enjoying it!

    My school usually do a dress up as a favourite character day for world book day but it seems everyone had forgotten this year as nothing happened, which was a shame.

    I look forward to your next post!

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  7. Like you I love books and always had my nose in a book as a child and young teenager. I can't bear not having a book to read and if I travel anywhere I take one with me as I have a fear of being stuck without a book! Your daughter's mole outfit is super - love the sparkly spectacles:)

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  8. What a lovely post,you bought back fond memories for me with your book list,l used to love teaching my chilldren to read when they where little and telling them one day the words would just jump out at them and then they to would be able to read.I love mr mole and the very creative glasses have a great weekend hugs Pat.

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  9. My son slowly started with Capt Underpants, but once he found Harry Potter, he needed to be 'fed' a constant supply of books as well. I couldn't be happier. He loves Roald Dahl books, Percy Jackson series, and Mr Gum (UK series). Thank goodness for the library!

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  10. Oh my how adorable is your wee mole :)
    We love love love books in this house too

    As for my night out - oh yes I was totally Mrs Rock and Roll - not! To be honest that's not my usual kind of night out but it was 'her' night and I'm just glad she enjoyed it.

    And it was incredibly difficult being civil to him, I'd really have liked to pull the back of his underpants over his head (see what I did there!) but I think having one parent that upsets them is more than enough eh? :) xx

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  11. Agree with Taz, adorabubble mole, I want to squeeze her.
    Love books in this house too, well except for Jess sadly. She wants to love books but hasn't found anything that suits her yet (if that makes sence).
    Jack always has his nose stuck in a book which is great!

    B xxx

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  12. what a lovely post. Moley looks fabulous!

    Books are big in this house too. My real love is for cookbooks and decorating books. I've given up with novels as I never seem to have time to read them. The last one I read was the newest from the Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella. It was ok, not as good as the earlier ones and so clearly written with a film in mind.

    My little one just adores books. She's really ready for school and learning to read them herself. I've been trying to get back here to answer your Q, she starts at the end of April. Hubby and I go to meet her teacher this Friday. Cannot believe how quickly it's come round, while I have a bit of a sadness for myself, I can't help but be thrilled for her. She's going to love it!

    xxx

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  13. hello just popped over from Lisa's blog. I love books too!
    how wonderful your little boy has found his reading bug and it is also great he hasn't seen the HP films as the books are so much better!
    love
    Lyn
    xxx

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  14. "mole" looks fab :-) book lover here and my daughter but son taking a bit longer to embrace reading (he is 6) Harry potter is an obsession of my 9yr old ! Nice to catch up on your blog :-) thanks for the hug :-) L x

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  15. I LOVE the mole costume, haven't seen one like it in 13 years of teaching and many schools. My son (10) reluctant reader - well with a Mum that teaches what else!! - loves Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, first thing that has ever got him to read without being asked x

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