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[CCBC-Net] reading aloud
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From: Ryan, Pat <PRyan>
Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2008 12:22:18 -0800
This is such a perfect example of, as you say, the power of story. So often parents want to find books on friendship, honesty, telling the truth, sharing, whatever the problem is, and they want a primer to give the child. And how often are they convinced when the Librarian tries to tell them that's what children's literature IS - how to learn about your world and how to deal with all the problems of childhood and growing up. Cleary, Keats, Wilder, White, Lewis, Rowling, Paterson, Hamilton, even Snicket, are full of examples of making and being a friend, trusting and being trustworthy, lying and being lied to, being a bully or coping with one.
Just as the lesson of your parents' actions are easier to learn from than their words, it is easier to learn from examples than lectures.
Patricia Ryan, Children's Librarian Union City Library 510-745-1464 ext. 19
"Now, when I read constantly about the way in which library funds are being cut and cut, I can only think that the door is closing and that American society has found one more way to destroy itself." I, Asimov.
Megan Lambert wrote:
One story in particular grabbed N.'s attention: "The Three Little Pigs." We read every version in our house and then looked for more in the library. David Wiesner's Three Pigs was a particular favorite, but she also loved Margot Zemach's more classic fare, and Barry Moser's darker version. John Scieszka and Lane Smith's humor in The True Story of the Three Little Pigs tickled her funny bone, and she loved the shifted perspective offered by Trivias and Oxenbury's Three Little Wolves.
N. didn't simply enjoy this story through our times of reading together and through her private reading experiences; she also drew pictures of the characters and the houses, acted it out with dolls, blocks and other toys, and staged mini performances with her brothers and sisters. One day, during a routine therapy appointment that was part of her transition into our family, N. began building three houses out of blocks from a basket in the doctor's office.
"They're the three pigs' houses," she announced.
"She loves that story," I told the therapist.
"Well that makes sense, doesn't it? It's all about making a safe home."
I sat there, dumbstruck. Here, made plain before my eyes was the power of story.
Received on Wed 27 Feb 2008 02:22:18 PM CST
Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2008 12:22:18 -0800
This is such a perfect example of, as you say, the power of story. So often parents want to find books on friendship, honesty, telling the truth, sharing, whatever the problem is, and they want a primer to give the child. And how often are they convinced when the Librarian tries to tell them that's what children's literature IS - how to learn about your world and how to deal with all the problems of childhood and growing up. Cleary, Keats, Wilder, White, Lewis, Rowling, Paterson, Hamilton, even Snicket, are full of examples of making and being a friend, trusting and being trustworthy, lying and being lied to, being a bully or coping with one.
Just as the lesson of your parents' actions are easier to learn from than their words, it is easier to learn from examples than lectures.
Patricia Ryan, Children's Librarian Union City Library 510-745-1464 ext. 19
"Now, when I read constantly about the way in which library funds are being cut and cut, I can only think that the door is closing and that American society has found one more way to destroy itself." I, Asimov.
Megan Lambert wrote:
One story in particular grabbed N.'s attention: "The Three Little Pigs." We read every version in our house and then looked for more in the library. David Wiesner's Three Pigs was a particular favorite, but she also loved Margot Zemach's more classic fare, and Barry Moser's darker version. John Scieszka and Lane Smith's humor in The True Story of the Three Little Pigs tickled her funny bone, and she loved the shifted perspective offered by Trivias and Oxenbury's Three Little Wolves.
N. didn't simply enjoy this story through our times of reading together and through her private reading experiences; she also drew pictures of the characters and the houses, acted it out with dolls, blocks and other toys, and staged mini performances with her brothers and sisters. One day, during a routine therapy appointment that was part of her transition into our family, N. began building three houses out of blocks from a basket in the doctor's office.
"They're the three pigs' houses," she announced.
"She loves that story," I told the therapist.
"Well that makes sense, doesn't it? It's all about making a safe home."
I sat there, dumbstruck. Here, made plain before my eyes was the power of story.
Received on Wed 27 Feb 2008 02:22:18 PM CST
