Rude stuff rocks in this house. With two young boys who are always on the look out for laughs and action any book that involves toilet humour is on the top of their reading list.
Walter the Farting Dog is Archie's perennial favourite. He never tires of reading about Walter, the smelly pooch, saving the day by blasting the would-be robbers out of the lounge-room window with the biggest fart you have ever heard (or smelt). Of course, Walter becomes the hero and is saved from being sent to the pound by his long suffering family.
Dr Dog also gets a regular thumbing given that it involves a grandpa on an exploding toilet. Tops! Oscar, who is now seven, was given this brilliant book when he was born and it's now a tradition of ours to do the same for any friend or family member who welcomes a little one into the world. They will thank us one day.
Hey Aunty A, dad recommended I check out your blog a couple of days ago and I must say im quite intrigued.
ReplyDeleteReading your blog, suddenly nostalgic, I begin to remember the days when I was learning to read and how much I despised ‘Kumon’ and ‘reading time’ at night before bed.
Even worse I hated reading out loud in class or library lessons.
It is this time, between the ages of 4-13 where kids have the opportunity to read for pleasure and often do not. By the time I realised that there were books out there that were better than movies it was far too late into my academic career to take them all in. On holidays I still managed to squeeze in some notable classics for my generation like ‘Atonement’, ‘A million little pieces’, ‘Running with scissors’ etc.
I find it sad that my love for reading was dampened throughout my latter high school years by the likes of Shakespeare, economics textbooks and classic novels, which at their core were often enjoyable, however after hours of scrutinizing and analysing the text, their meaning simply became irrelevant, and rather the whole process of reading became an effort to decipher composers purpose, techniques used and effect on the reader in order to impress the marker and thus gain the marks. Why does education make us do this and how does this make us better for the life ahead?
Now looking back, after finally completing my HSC, I can again find the joy in reading for pleasure. I look forward to finishing ‘Catcher in the rye’, “The great Gatsby’ and anything from Jodie Picoult.
Reading is one of our greatest gifts and takes you to places unknown. I can enjoy this gift because of the persistence and the help of mum and dad who encouraged me as a kid, making me practise my reading every night, sending me to Kumon and buying me books for my reading level and capacity.
I hope your sons find the same joy in literature that I have and continue to try to learn to read as best as they can, even through those tough years at school where reading is the last thing you want to do.
Laura Bueti
Hi Laura
ReplyDeleteWell it's fabulous to have such an eloquent summary of how many children, teenagers and young adults experience the process of reading throughout their lives. It's a credit to you and your parents (and I am guessing some of your teachers) that you have "come out the other side" and now enjoy the wonderful experience that it is to escape into a book - whatever that book may be.
I do remember quite a few chats with your dad when you were about Oscar's age when he was concerned about your reading. I'm not sure what advice I gave but I think it went along the lines of, "Laura is an intelligent little girl and with your support and the help of good teachers, she will learn to be a great reader one day and will surely end up loving books." I'm so glad it turned out that way!!
Thanks also for hitting on an important point which is the whole reason for me being so passionate about helping hook children (boys in particular) into reading early. I think it is a tragedy that many children are turned off reading and do not gain this important life skill. Reading is not just about gaining pleasure and escapism but it's an essential life skill which impacts on your future opportunities in life.
Young boys deserve great reading materials while learning to read, but unfortunately there's not much around. What a tragedy. I'm about to change all that!
Thanks again for reminding me of the value of finding a love of reading. You are one smart cookie Laura!
Love Aunty Ang