Memories of Reading: From Childhood Novels to Raising a Reader
When it comes to the memories of reading, they are often sprinkled with joy, camaraderie, and learning. For many of us, these moments are deeply ingrained in our childhoods, shaping who we are as readers and adults. In this article, we will explore some cherished reading memories, from the joy of winning a book in a calligraphy competition to the excitement of reading aloud to a child.
Discovering the Joy of Reading with Enid Blyton
My earliest and perhaps most significant memory of reading dates back to when I was ten years old. My family had just moved to a new city, and I was struggling to make friends in school. One day, a calligraphy competition was announced, and many students school, I rushed home to find out that I had won a prize—a book! It was The Secret Seven by Enid Blyton.
This was my first exposure to Enid Blyton, and her stories were an immediate hit. I spent the entire evening reading the book, discovering the joy and excitement of diving into a novel. Winning the competition and going home with a brand new book not only gave me something to look forward to but also helped me develop a love for reading. Over time, this led to new friendships and a more confident me.
The Joy of Shared Reading - Trixie Belden Series
In elementary school, I had the privilege of sharing my love for reading with others, particularly through the Trixie Belden series. Starting in first grade, I was already confident in my reading skills, thanks to my older sister who had taught me to read. When our second-grade teacher announced that she would read the first book of the Trixie Belden series, ldquo;The Mystery of the Mansion,rdquo; to the class every day for half an hour, our classmates were delighted.
We spent the next two years engrossed in the stories, and our teacher even extended the reading sessions to include more of the series. While the fifth-grade teacher was less enthusiastic about the reading sessions, the experience helped me overcome my shyness. My classmates would come to me during recess to ask about what was going to happen next, which eventually helped me become more comfortable socially.
Welcoming a New Reader - Reading to My Son
The joy of reading isnrsquo;t just a memory from the past; itrsquo;s also a gift that we can pass on to the next generation. As a parent, I have had the pleasure of reading to my son from a very early age. We started with popular series like Magic Treehouse and The Chronicles of Narnia when he was younger, then moved on to more complex stories like Harry Potter and Percy Jackson and the Olympians as he grew older.
Among my cherished memories is the day we started the Chaos Walking series with The Knife of Never Letting Go. This series is not for young children due to its mature content, but it is well worth the read. My son and I have both re-read the series multiple times, and we often quote scenes from it. He has even introduced it to a middle school student on the autism spectrum as a reward for completing his work. Reading to my son has not only fostered a love for stories but has also created beautiful moments of bonding and shared experiences.
Conclusion
The memories of reading are invaluable, as they help shape our lives and the people we become. Whether itrsquo;s the excitement of winning a prize, the joy of shared reading, or the richness of sharing stories with our children, these memories remind us of the powerful role that reading plays in our lives.