I haven't been feeling very well lately. Hence my lack of posts. I've got some stomach bug I think, but yesterday I was asleep by 8pm. Today I looked after my son and we got my boxes of magic tricks out and I amazed and confused him with some of those I could do. I love magic trick kits: I urge you to go out and buy a cheap box of tricks for your own amusement in times of boredom, it works a treat when you need a diversion from any trouble or feelings you want to suppress.
The other thing I've been doing is reading my kids a new bedtime storybook, well actually it's not a new book at all. It's The Wind In The Willows by Kenneth Graham, a book I know from my childhood but I don't remember where exactly I know it from. I mean whether my parents, or a teacher or myself read it. I started out encouraging my daughter to read a page while I read two but it quickly became apparent that there were some huge words in it that she had not come across and so needed explaining. This was in almost every sentence. I like the way it is written and the language but it uses so many grown up words and is complex in its use of language that I don't think it would make it as children's book in today's world. I may be wrong, my wife (who was a good reader as a kid) said she started it so many times as a kid and always gave up because the words were so difficult that she now hates it (and complains it is boring). It probably is a bit boring but is also fairly gentle and pleasant (at least so far), that I'm going to continue reading it as the bedtime story.
Lastly, I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to our summer holiday at the seaside, it's coming in about 4 weeks time. Yippee!
5 comments:
Library geek alert...but it is wonderful to read books like that aloud to kids...books that are difficult for them to read themselves, but which have age appropriate content. Most of the Children's Lit Classics, like Wind in the Willows, can seem difficult and slower paced to today's kids. They are the perfect things for parents or teachers to read aloud.
I hope you are feeling better, FW. You were missed.
Yeah, we have the pukes at the moment as well. The littlest does a great "Linda Blair puke scene in the exorcist" impression and the house stinks of bleach.
I hated WITW as a kid as I found it too slow, I was one of the racier kids into Roald Dahl. The BFG ruined all over books for me for a long time.
Hope you feel better soon..
Chin up!
E.
L.B.: Thanks, I'm usually really tired when I read to them - I have to make a real effort sometimes but they do appreciate it.
ElizaF: Sorry to hear about the vomit in your household. Mention of the BFG reminds me of the weekend's Roald Dahl festival in our town. It was BFG themed and there was a parade of giant characters made by local schools. It was excellent.
I hope you're feeling better! Another friend of mine was saying that he passed out while going for a walk. His doctor checked him out and he told him it was mental exhaustion. Maybe your illness is your body's way of telling you that you need to refuel and recharge?
My brothers used to have a little magic set. I think it was eventually sold at a garage sale.
Hope that you feel better real soon.. it wouldn't be nice being ill while on holidays..
Wind In The Willows is a great classic.. I don't think I have ever read it.. I started reading a new Stephen King book.. and so far it's not bad... it's more of a love story.. but I hope it's not too mushy..
Post a Comment