I know she'll read it all again herself when her reading skills improve and I'm happy that she will. Talking to a friend who is also reading the series to her son, we both said that we read the books so fast the first time round - through one weekend and through the nights because we couldn't put them down - that we missed or forgot much of the detail. This time round I found depths and subtle (and not so subtle) allusions that I'd not thought about the first time.
Meanwhile I was trying to get DD to agree to starting a new book. All she wanted to talk about was how we don't know who Luna married and do I think it's Neville or Dean? What she doesn't know is that I'm going to buy Pottermore and The Cursed Child (when it comes out as a novel rather than a play script). - UPDATE: I've read the reviews of The Cursed Child and I'm not going to bother.
I offered many options but over a week passed with no story. I was sad. I have so many of my old favourites waiting for me to read to her. Books I saved 40 or more years ago to one day read to my hypothetical daughter. Others I lost but have bought replacements over the years because I love them like childhood friends.
Look at the photo - how many do you recognise? There are others of course, which I fully intend to get. The Children of Green Knowe, When Marnie was There, Carrie's War, Marianne Dreams, to name but a few.
Eventually DD agreed to let me try reading Heidi to her. After a long trek up the mountain from Mayenfeld to the Alp Uncle's cabin via Dorfli and Peter's house, DD said, "I bet they like each other." She's astute. As I read the second chapter she squirmed around in bed exclaiming, "I love hearing this story. She's so cute. Aaaah he loves her!"
I think we've found another winner and we have moved on.
I did the exact same thing with my childhood favourites, and to be fair my eldest and youngest seemed to enjoy most of them - and they included all bar three from your photo, plus 3 of the other ones you listed! Happy reading xxx
ReplyDeleteI knew we were soul sisters Candi. Or maybe just from the same generation and the same episodes of Jackenory on tv.
DeleteI know who Luna married... Would you and DD like me to tell you ? :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you but we found out lat night. I watched a documentary about JK Rowling and she showed the family tree of the next generation. The interviewer asked about Luna and she told us that she marries a naturalist and they go round the world looking for strange and wonderful creatures. I forget his name. Thank you though - if I didn't know I would definitely have wanted you to tell us.
Delete*last night
DeleteSo many possibilities! I loved Heidi and most of the other "classics". A special favourite was "Swiss Family Robinson" but also "Treasure Island", "Little Women" and "Little Men". She might also enjoy "A Wrinkle in Time" or "The Narnia" series. It's wonderful that you have encouraged such a love of reading and that you take the time to read to her - it is so important!
ReplyDeleteI've never read A Wrinkle in Time but I think I must. The first two Narnia books are in the photo above. I'm very excited about getting through all these books again.
DeleteIt really is a classic - I think you will both love it.
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