“A book is a gift you can open again and again.” Garrison Keillor
Do you miss details in the first reading of a book? Whether it’s a John Grisham’s recent Gray Mountain or marketing guru Seth Godin’s Purple Cow, I typically mark the book revisiting for those tidbits I remembered incorrectly. Of course, there’s no right or wrong in details. Usually it’s the foggy memory.
Read to a child. Reading aloud makes it different. The excitement and engagement of the child makes the experience most different. In a picture book, they find the tiniest items; they ask questions. While reading our second children’s book to 5-year old granddaughter, she questioned the color of Patches tummy, how fast Redfoot Rabbit jumped, found little Lemon Toad and ultimately sang the Dragon song. She giggled when the Redfoot counted backwards.
What do you experience reading to your grandkids and others? Or reading your adult book? I feel the “in my own little world,” relaxed, engaged with the activity.
Though it’s nothing compared to reading to kids. Enjoy the experience of being cuddled up with your child or grandchild as the story is shared. Life doesn’t get better than sharing that time.
Check out interior pages for the wonderful illustrations in Patches and the Delightful Dragon Day.
We welcome your comments and would love photos of reading Patches to a child.
“Don’t get hit by a dragon’s tail, not even a friendly one!
About the Book
“The star of Patches and the Delightful Dragon Day is a soup loving turtle. Patches Turtle adapts to a challenging transformation and engages with a diverse group of old and new friends on his quest for the best stone soup. A magical hat changes Patches into a Dragon! Lighthearted suspense is injected as the story unfolds with mishaps of “Patches Dragon,” nonstop talking of Chatty Blue Cricket, counting from Redfoot Rabbit, and the perfect way Bushy Bear helps Patches solves problems. Illustrator Jason Harlow depicts minute details that will keep children engaged for long periods, trying to figure out just what that little Lemon Toad is up to as he trails along.”
