Two Books From My Childhood

I have always loved to read and I think my mom is one of the main reasons why I love it so much. She would rather read than do just about anything else and so she has shared that love with me. Growing up we would read books before bedtime and as I got older I would read chapter books alone before falling asleep.

One of my first memories of getting a book was when my younger brother was born. My parents put this new book in my suitcase to read while staying at my grandparent's house while they went to the hospital. I got the book Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey. It is an old story about a girl and her mother picking blueberries on a hill and at the same time a bear and her cub are eating blueberries. However, instead of picking blueberries Sal sits down and eats them all. Her and the bear cub also get a bit mixed up on the hill and the moms have to straighten it all out. It is a sweet story and because it was given to me on such a special occasion it is very dear to my heart.

Another vivid memory I have is from second grade when my teacher read aloud Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls. Before lunch or when we had down time she would read to the class this touching story about a boy who saves his money for two red blood hounds and he and the dogs become famous for their hunting skills. The end of the book is heart wrenching, but all in all it is a great story. After my teacher read the book to us in class I even bought my own copy. This memory sticks out to me because our teacher read this story in such a way that we got invested in the story and always complained when she stopped reading. I think that school can sometimes make children associate reading with work and boredom, but this memory of mine proves that reading does not and have to be like that in school.

I have always loved to read and I think my mom is one of the main reasons why I love it so much. She would rather read than do just about anything else and so she has shared that love with me. Growing up we would read books before bedtime and as I got older I would read chapter books alone before falling asleep. 

One of my first memories of getting a book was when my younger brother was born. My parents put this new book in my suitcase to read while staying at my grandparent's house while they went to the hospital. I got the book Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey. It is an old story about a girl and her mother picking blueberries on a hill and at the same time a bear and her cub are eating blueberries. However, instead of picking blueberries Sal sits down and eats them all. Her and the bear cub also get a bit mixed up on the hill and the moms have to straighten it all out. It is a sweet story and because it was given to me on such a special occasion it is very dear to my heart. 

Another vivid memory I have is from second grade when my teacher read aloud Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls. Before lunch or when we had down time she would read to the class this touching story about a boy who saves his money for two red blood hounds and he and the dogs become famous for their hunting skills. The end of the book is heart wrenching, but all in all it is a great story. After my teacher read the book to us in class I even bought my own copy. This memory sticks out to me because our teacher read this story in such a way that we got invested in the story and always complained when she stopped reading. I think that school can sometimes make children associate reading with work and boredom, but this memory of mine proves that reading does not and have to be like that in school. 

Ramona Quimby, Age 8

When I think of my favorite childhood story, Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary comes to mind. I remember being eight years old and thinking how much I had in common with the main character, Ramona! This story is about a spunky eight year old and her day to day life with her family and peers at school. The predicaments Ramona got herself into were always amusing to read about as a child. I connected with Ramona in many ways, but mainly with her relationship with her older sister, Beezus. At the time, I was that pesky little sister who always wanted to hang out with her sister and her neighborhood friends.

This was the first chapter book series I read growing up. My elementary school used the "Accelerated Reader" program where students would earn points after reading a book and taking a short computer quiz about the book. I remember feeling so excited to learn other stories by Beverly Cleary were also on the list of books to read within this program, and I continued reading stories by her including Socks, Ralph S. Mouse, and Dear Mr. Henshaw. All of Cleary's books are fabulous for young readers! To this day, I still own a copy of Ramona Quimby, Age 8.

In The Night Kitchen

I don't remember much about my childhood, especially with reading. I was the active kid in the class who could barely stay in her seat, and reading was not a specialty of mine. Running outside, flipping in the yard, and playing hockey with my brothers was more of an interest and thrill to me. The first memory I have of reading was sitting next to my mom as my little brother sat on her lap and reading books we both agreed on before bed. I can remember the smells from the bath and the aches from playing outside all day as we curled up and always agreed on "In the Night Kitchen."

At first I couldn't read it, but I caught on to the words as we read it over and over again. The story follows a little boy who escapes his bed and travels into the kitchen that comes alive during the night preparing the bread for the morning. Everything in the kitchen, including the chefs, grew in size, causing the boy to be the smallest object in the kitchen. The pictures caught Jesse's and mine eyes as the boy is tossed in the dough, creates an airplane, and is dumped into the milk before reaching the oven to bake. The most vivid part happens here where the dough is stripped from the milk, causing the little boy to appear naked to the reader. I remember my brother and I giggling as mom read cheering, "cock a doodle do!" as the little boy sees the sun rising.

These were the moments that I remember from my childhood and reading that stand out because of the calming sensation we would finally feel and the bonding moments happening. To this day, my brother and I talk about the book and how we loved falling asleep to the idea of sneaking into a kitchen baking bread and swimming in a glass bottle of milk. Eventually, I caught on to how reading pulls me into another world where I didn't have to be in reality, and novels became important and enjoyable. But for awhile, energy took over the attention to sit and read, except for at night, and especially with "In The Night Kitchen."

Little House Books / By: Laura Ingalls Wilder

Little House in the Big Woods was the first chapter book I read completely on my own. I remember where in my house I was sitting and I always recall this moment when asked "how I became a reader". I still have this book and in the front cover you can see that it is dated and signed with a sticker, obviously I was proud. I went on to reading every book in the series, watching the tv show and reenacting Mary and Laura's lives in my backyard. These books allowed me to imagine and dream in a different time period, in a world that I was completely in love with.

I haven't read these book in a number of years but it is still the first book(s) I recommend to young readers. I have been thrilled to see that many of Laura's books are still being read and used in the curriculum of public schools here in NC and in New York. Once I have a class of my own you can expect to find these books available in our library!

Nancy Drew

Growing up, I was lucky enough to have a family that valued reading. My mom would take my siblings and me to the library weekly, and she read to us almost every night. I remember sitting in my brother's room, my sister and I huddled around my mom as she read The Boxcar Children series, adventure stories by Will Hobbs, and Nancy Drew mysteries in a soft, steady tone.

It wasn't until 5th grade though that I began to enjoy reading on my own. I broke my arm pretty badly at the beginning of the school year and ended up stuck in the hospital for a month recovering. My Aunt Karen visited me almost every day, always bringing me a new book or two. She would start to read a chapter or two and leave me with the books. Since I was in traction and couldn't leave the hospital bed, these books were a chance to go to another place.  I tore through each book she brought me, at first because there was really nothing better to do, but then because I loved them. I probably read fifty Nancy Drew books that year.

Ever since I've been a voracious reader and love sharing reading experiences with others. I want my students to see how books can be mirrors, windows, and doors. They teach us about ourselves and open our eyes to new and different perspectives.

Jill Zappia, 6th Grade Language Arts Teacher

Did You Carry the Flag Today, Charley?

Hi, I'm Dr. Jill Grifenhagen.  I am thrilled to be sharing children's books with you this summer!

One of my favorite books as a child was Did You Carry the Flag Today, Charley? by Rebecca Caudill. I have fond memories of regular trips to the public library with my family.  The first thing I would do was race to the "Cs" to see if this one was available.  I checked it out over and over again from about 6 to 8 years old.

I haven't read this book in years, but I remember the story. Every day, one child in the class would get to carry the flag to the bus as recognition for doing well in school. Every day, Charley's family would ask him if he carried the flag, and he would say no.  No matter how hard Charley tried, something always went wrong for him at school. Of course, in the end, he finally got to proudly carry the flag!

I loved this book for several reasons.  It was easy to read, and I could read it quickly.  The plot was engaging, relatable, and had a happy ending.  The setting, in rural Appalachia, reminded me of the small Western North Carolina town where my mom was raised and my grandparents still lived.  But mostly, I cared about the main character, Charley.  I rooted him on and I was thrilled when he succeeded.  I think this book also taught be a bit of empathy.  I couldn't really relate to Charley's problem....I was a bit of a "goody two-shoes" in school and rarely got into trouble.  But I could understand how badly Charley wanted that positive recognition, and that everyone deserved that sometimes.

Welcome

Welcome to our blog! This blog features students in the College of Education at NC State University.  We share an interest in children's literature, and will use this blog to post information and reviews about great children's books.  Think of this blog as one big book club.  Enjoy, and happy reading!