Today is the official first day of summer for us; the children's last day of school was yesterday. Some of my favorite summer memories are long, lazy days curled up with a good book. What a luxury to have uninterrupted time to become absorbed into another place or time. Last year I started what I hope will be an annual tradition around here: a book (or more) on the end of each child's bed to greet them on the first day of vacation.
I gathered these at one of my favorite places for gathering used books, the annual Stone Ridge Book Sale. They have lots of children's books and just about any other category you can imagine. I have spent a good deal of time there digging through cookbooks. This year, Chloe will get three Beatrix Potter books: The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck, The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, and The Story of Miss Moppett. I'm realizing that we need to read more books to her that are appropriate for her little self instead of geared toward her older siblings, and I hope that these fit the bill.
For Oscar, I have wrapped up Jack London's The Call of the Wild and the first of Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events, The Bad Beginning. None of the children has delved into the Lemony Snicket series yet. I think that the books are a bit dark, but I think Oscar will like that. Any thoughts from those of you who have read them?
Olivia will wake up to find Tolkien's The Hobbit for the adventurer in her. I haven't read it since I was a child and may need to read it again, too. Since she is an animal lover, I am hoping that she will also enjoy Hugh Lofting's The Story of Doctor Dolittle.
My hope is that these books will put us on the path to some relaxing summer reading. Well, this and the 50 or so books that we got out of the library yesterday afternoon.
What will your children be reading this summer?
Happy vacation!
The Inquirer's food section has an article about summer reading for foodies. Haven't read below the fold yet, but there may be something for you. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/food/20100617_Appetite_for_reading__Here_are_some_books_to_take_to_the_beach.html#axzz0r7uDftrU
Posted by: Nikki | June 17, 2010 at 11:58 AM
Wonderful! Books, books, books...I love it! I love how you have gathered them.
Posted by: Phyllis | June 17, 2010 at 02:05 PM
In my house growing up and later, with Sam, we loved the Edward Eager books, passionately. Half Magic, Magic by the Lake, Knight's Castle, etc. Funny, I don't much care for magic - tricks, performers - but these books of course were about more than magic. Did you read them? And we loved the Mrs. Piggle Wiggle series although they may be very dated. And The Bronze Bow, The witch of Blackbird Pond, of course A wrinkle in time. Sam loved the Roald Dahl books until we found out he was anti-Semitic. And we all loved biographies, adored them. I can still remember many of them.
And we loved the Oz books - not just the Wizard but the Patchwork Girl of Oz and The Emerald City of Oz. We had a gorgeous set of them, with incredibly beautiful covers and pictures. And when I pick up one of these books today - or any of our childhood books - often I find my sister's name scrawled inside the front cover - this book belongs to Susan... followed on the next page by my handwriting - This book Belongs to Patti -and occasionally another name is added on the next page -This book belongs to David.
Posted by: Patti | June 17, 2010 at 03:29 PM
Nikki -- Reading for me?!? Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Phyllis -- so glad you enjoyed the post.
Patti -- Thanks for the excellent suggestions. And I love the way each of you took ownership of those old favorites.
Posted by: Margy | June 18, 2010 at 08:11 AM
I so love this idea!!! fortunately we have one more week of school so i have time to prepare. very very lovely. l.
Posted by: laura | June 18, 2010 at 12:38 PM
Another lovely idea, Margy. Yet another idea of yours that I plan to "borrow" and claim as my own to the kids! The strawberry soda was a huge hit!
Posted by: Katherine Schroder | June 18, 2010 at 07:32 PM
Laura and Katherine -- it makes me so happy that you like the idea and will share it with your kids. I love the idea of those little bundles of books sprouting up here and there. Let me know what you buy. I'm always eager to get more book ideas.
Posted by: Margy | June 22, 2010 at 09:23 AM
Just love this Margy, I write, as I sent my younger daughter to read since she stayed home from camp today with a slight cold! My happy summer memories are also of curling up with a book and I do hope I am able to inspire the younger one to learn that. My older daughter has that love innately. Love your blog, just getting to it somehow. Thank Gabe for me who pointed me your way via FB!
Posted by: Sarita Baigorri | June 29, 2010 at 12:55 PM
I'm so glad that you found the blog, Sarita. I hope you enjoy it. I'm sure that with the inspiration of her mother and her older sister, your youngest will soon discover the pleasures of getting pulled into a good story, too.
Posted by: Margy | June 29, 2010 at 02:28 PM