I have shared several time on this blog how much I loved book orders at school - you know, those little paper flyers the teacher handed out at the end of the day. I ran home and spent hours pouring over the possibilities. My wonderful mother was always willing to order what I selected. One of my favorites was The With Next Door. I read it repeatedly. I even wrote about it in a letter to my grandparents in Arizona. My mom found this letter when searching through boxes pictures and keepsakes to make scrapbooks for my sisters and I.
Dear Grandma and Grandpa,Debbie (little sister) and I stayed at Bernice's (aunt) yesterday. I would build up blocks and Debbie would laugh when I knocked them down. It was lots of fun.
I ordered a book at school and it came today. I payed for it with my own money. The name of it is The Witch Next Door.
Love, Tami
I never pass up an opportunity to praise my mother - who is not a reader - for encouraging, or sometimes just enduring, my fascination with books. Especially when they kept me from doing my assigned chores.
There is no greater gift to give a child than the love of reading.
Priceless! The pics, the memories, the preserved letter to Grandma about reading. I remember those flyers too but rarely got to order anything. My Dad believed there was no need to buy books until you'd read everything in the library. He changed his tune after he retired and by the time he died twenty years later his office overflowed with books he'd bought. It probably made a difference not having a house full of mouths to feed LOL
ReplyDeletethanx for participating in The Literacy Challenge
Great post Tami. Unfortunately I did not pass on the "love to read" to my son, it's harder with guys who love the farm & tools. Thanks for sharing your memories!
ReplyDeleteI remember that book! I bought that book through Scholastic book orders too!
ReplyDeletevery cool