Stories That Reach Across Generations
Nothing brings generations together like a good story. Over the past couple of yaars I have had several ‘full circle’ moments as I read stories to my kids that I remember my parents reading to me as a child and I wonder if someday they will read their children the very same stories. Here are just a few of the stories that have stood test of time in our family.
Goodnight Moon by Margarent Wise Brown – With good reason, Goodnight Moon has become one of the iconic books of childhood. I remember paging through it with my mom, finding the mouse on every page and saying goodnight to all the things in my own room before turning out the light for bed. Goodnight Moon was one of the first books Barron and I began reading to the kids. The simple structure, calming cadence and universal appeal make this an unrivaled bedtime classic.
The Little Engine That Could retold by Watty Piper- I still have my childhood copy of The Little Engine that Could. When Jamin was three (and in the middle of a train obsession) he found it in one of our storage boxes. Inside the front cover an old friend wrote a dedication wishing me a happy 3rd birthday. Jamin was so thrilled to possess something that I had at his age and we read it almost daily for months. Now, at age seven, trains and the story of the kind little engine, don’t hold the same appeal, but the book itself still holds a prized location in his room since it “used to be mom’s.”
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis – This is among one of the first chapter books I can recall my mom reading to me. I remember begging her for ‘one more chapter’ and after she finally closed the book and said goodnight, I’d sneak it back out and use my still limited reading skills to try to figure out what happened next. Barron is currently reading through all of the Chronicles of Naria with Jamin and I often wonder if Jamin ever peaks ahead.
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein – My mom will tell you this is one of her favorite children’s stories. We now have the copy she frequently read to me and every time I see it on the shelf I think of her. When I read it to my kids, I find myself telling them, “This is your grandma’s favorite story.” You know how sometime you start to associate an article of clothing with a certain person, because they love it and it just seem to be ‘them’? That’s how I feel about the The Giving Tree and my mom.
So how about you? Are there stories and books from your childhood you’ve passed on (or hope to pass on) to your children? What are your favorite books from your childhood?
Stacy said...
on March 9th, 2012 at 2:15 pm
There are OH so many books that I could list…but some that come to mind are Ferdinand by Munro Leaf; the Frog and Toad series by Arnold Lobel; the Frances series by Lillian & Russell Hoban; and Miss Nelson is Missing by Harry Allard.
I’ve got some chapter books set aside that I am looking forward to reading with Rachel, including Beverly Cleary’s Ramona books; Judy Blume’s Mouse & Motorcycle and Fudge series; and Barbara Robinson’s Best Christmas Pagaent Ever.
And several years down the line (thinking middle school/high school), I have my old YA Sunfire historical romances…the entire series is boxed up in my closet for her. They were sweet, clean, and taught some history along the way.
Misty Cato said...
on March 9th, 2012 at 5:24 pm
Oh Stacy, thanks for all the recommendations. Several of those I read as a kid and had totally forgotten about.
Oh and Miss Nelson is missing – we love that one. My son’s school does a ‘dress like a storybook character’ day and his teach came as Viola Swamp. She was very convincing too. 🙂