As a child I could do nothing but read, it was all I wanted to do.
It took a while for me to catch the 'reading bug' but once that happened a whole new world opened up for me, a world where anything could happen at any given time.
I have noticed over time that most children do not seem interested in reading, they'd rather play video games, watch tv or do something that for me is mind numbing. Obviously certain video games are ok, they can build up hand eye coordination, but most games I have seem children play, don't do anything other than entertain, which is all well and good every now and again, when you need something to get them out of your way for a while.
I am not condemning outdoor activities, as this keeps them fit and active. But it would seem that over the past 10yrs (or maybe even more) reading isn't seen as something cool to do, instead they prefer to maybe out do eachother with the latest phone or game or games console.
I didn't have that option as a child, computers were really expensive and mobile phones looked like bricks and weighed a ton lol.
This blog today is going to take me back to my childhood, where I remember reading so many different books from such brilliant authors, one which I will discuss shortly.
Okay onto a favourite childhood book, which to this day I still adore and laugh at.
The author's name was -Roald Dahl (many millions of people have heard of him), who sadly passed away in 1991 (I think??). He had written many books, but the one I wish to focus on is - Georges Marvellous Medicine. (I have read quite a few of his books).
George is a boy who lives at home with his parents and Grandma. He hates his Grandma as she is rude, disgusting and cruel. His parents go out, leaving him in charge of giving his Grandma her medicine, this is where the fun begins. He puts allsorts into the medicine before giving it Grandma with hilarious results.
When I read this book for the first time, I really had no idea what to expect. As a child reading this book, I found his Grandma hideous and thanked whoever for giving me lovely grandparents. When George administered the medicine to his grandma I had a feeling something awesome was going to happen. With each turning of the page, I was dragged (happily I have to say) more into the story.
And when George's mum finds out, she panics, so poor George has to make the 'medicine' all over again, but he cannot remember all the ingredients he used. (Paint was one of the weird ingredients amongst others.) The end result? You will have to read the book to find out.
I honestly have no clue as to how parents influence their childs reading? My daughter who is almost 11, was a pain to try to read a simple book. It took me a whole year to turn her around to the idea of reading a book. At first she refused, that made me frustrated and her upset, but all I wanted, was for her to grasp the basics of reading. After a 2 day break, I tried again, not much change on her part, but to her credit she read a page lol.
A month in and I decided to buy some books that I had read as a child, mainly Roald Dahl, though I did have books by other authors like Micheal Rosen and Spike Milligan.
Slowly but surely I encouraged her to pick up the book and to try to make up her own story just by looking at the front cover, result = progress.
By the end of the year (it was a long haul lol) her confidence had grown and ever since then hasn't stopped reading and likes nothing more than to curl up with a hot drink and a good book. Currently she is moaning that she has a lack of books (200 at the last count) and so I have decided to buy her a kindle as this will store many more books than her bedroom can take he he he.
It was a brilliant book by a fantastic author. Thankyou Roald Dahl, you no doubt inspired millions, me included.
Next weeks blog will be an interview with a friend and fellow parent, we shall discuss her own childhood influences, what she reads now and does she influence what her child reads? Or is it free reign? Or a balance between the two?
Thanks for reading xx
Nadine :-)
Brilliant post Nadine x I am another avid reader from childhood and although I have read many Roald Dahl books I never read this one.
ReplyDeleteI don't remember reading much before around 9 years old - although I know I did, I assume the books just never stuck with me. When I got into the higher years of junior school I began reading RL Stines Fear Street. I remember going into the library and sitting for hours reading and deciding which book to take home with me.
After that it went on through high school and I read many books not on the curriculum and even re-read many books that were part of the schools syllabus like Kevin and Sadies Across the Barricades (this was my first glimpse into the Catholic/Protestant divide in Ireland) and Of Mice and Men is still a firm favourite (I have paperback and kindle edition now). Not many adults read now from what I've seen and want my little one to grow up with the same love of books that I have (we already have some for bubs and bubs isn't here yet). I will be reading next weeks interview with interest on how to instil the reading bug in little ones x
I am so glad you enjoyed the blog. My eldest did have books but they sat on the shelf gathering dust that was when I thought back to my own happy times with books and decided to try them out. The earliest thing I remember reading was a poem by either Spike Milligan or Micheal Rosen and I couldn't stop laughing.
DeleteThe first proper kind of book I read was a book called 'Dancing Nadine' (i know hilarious lol) about a girl who loved to dance. Around the age of 9 I got into R L Steine's goosebumps series.
I have seen the same, but with modern constraints, time seems too precious to waste on reading a book.
Winne the pooh is usually a good start off book for babies as the pictures are bright which seems to stimulate the baby/toddler. xx