Thursday, August 19, 2010

Re-reading a childhood favorite


One of the things I love most about reading to my kids is being able to re-read books I read when I was young and relive memories. While she's only three-and-a-half, I've started reading chapter books with my daughter, and one that we are both loving is James and the Giant Peach. I'm actually reading the same copy I read growing up. There's something magical about picking up an old, tattered book and reading it years later.

I was a little nervous about the part when the giant peach rolled over and squished the aunts or when the rampaging rhinoceros gobbles up James' parents, but I don't give my little one enough credit. She has a good sense of knowing what's real and what's not, and that's part of the magic of books. Bad things may happen, but at least in children's books, they usually work out.

In any case, even when we're not reading, I'm hearing tidbits from her about silkworms and blind earthworms and spiders and seagulls carrying peaches.

Oh Roald Dahl...I love you.





7 comments:

  1. How very cool! I too enjoy this with my 2.5 year old. It's been fun re-reading Put Me In The Zoo, Sam-I-Am and Good Night Moon with her.

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  2. I love James and the Giant Peach! I have a 2-year-old and can't wait to start reading chapter books!

    Thank you for your blog, I love it!

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  3. I found so many interesting stuff in your blog especially its discussion. From the tons of comments on your articles, I guess I am not the only one having all the enjoyment here! keep up the good work.


    kids

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  4. I was just starting to compile a list of beginner chapter books to read to my 3 1/2 year old daughter...so that I could preread them before to make sure that they are good and appropriate. I LOVED all of Roald Dahl's books and can't wait to read them...again!

    Hooray for starting the next chapter in our kids' reading lives: chapter books!

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  5. I have just taken a review copy of The Twits and Danny the Champion of the World, which I greatly look forward to reading again, and to my son.

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  6. I LOVED James and the Giant Peach as a kid. Thanks for reminding me that this is one I need to read with my boys! :)

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  7. I'm been reading 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' to my two-year old son since he was tiny because I have always loved this book and he seems to like it just as much as I do.

    Also looking forward to reading other faves to him as he gets older, so long as they appeal to him as well.

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