Sunday, December 22, 2013

Spoiled Books?

A few weeks ago I excitedly took Little Lipstick to the library and slid the Elephant and Piggie books off the shelf. I couldn't wait to dive into them with her. How many times have I read them to a giggling kindergarten class? How many children have I read them to who ended up clutching them to their bodies as though they were cuddling their favorite teddy bear? I couldn't wait to share that same love of a book with my own little one.

We checked the books out, brought them home and cuddled together on the floor to read. I broke out my very best piggy and elephant voices. I did the theatrics. I was animated and over the top just like I usually am when I read aloud in the classroom.

Apparently that is too much for a two year old, or at least for my two year old.

Perhaps I was too animated. Too over the top. Maybe I was a bit too dramatic as I sighed a dramatic elephant sigh to show his worry over Piggie. Maybe it was too unsettling to see her normally calm mommy being so dramatic. Maybe I am a horrible actress. Whatever it was, I ruined Elephant and Piggie for my own daughter.

I want you to read that again but with the mental image of Gerald, the Elephant sighing and then exploding with worry.

I RUINED ELEPHANT AND PIGGIE FOR MY DAUGHTER.

She won't let me read the books anymore. "No Mama" she says, pushing the book away every time I try.

How can I call myself a teacher? A lover of children's literature?

What if the same thing happens when it is time to read Harry Potter?  What if *gasp* she doesn't share the same love of certain books with me? 

*fall into dramatic heap*

3 comments:

The Science Goddess said...

In a few months, you get to start all over with another baby. Problem solved! :)

When I met my birthmother (I was close to 30 years old), I discovered that we were both avid readers...but we did not like the same kinds of books. Finally, we each agreed to read one that each other had picked. I can't remember a more difficult slog through a novel in my life...couldn't tell you now what the story was. (If she were alive, she'd probably say the same about whatever I'd chosen.) But it was enough to just share the love of reading in common.

Now, get back in there and help her with the Pigeon.

Anonymous said...

Oh honey! your daughter will love to read, but she will love a whole different set of books than you love, with maybe if you're lucky some overlap. Out of my 3 kids, I share a grand total of one favorite with one kid: Charlotte's Web.

Anonymous said...

Oh honey! your daughter will love to read, but she will love a whole different set of books than you love, with maybe if you're lucky some overlap. Out of my 3 kids, I share a grand total of one favorite with one kid: Charlotte's Web.