I was one of those kids who lived in my head most of the time. Come to think of it, I still do. Thinking, pondering, imagining, pretending, projecting…my mind was and is a swirl of activity. Much of this tendency is book-fueled. I learned to read in kindergarten and honestly don’t remember what it was like not to be able to read. Much of my childhood was spent curled up with a book, being transported to other times and places. It wasn’t unusual for me to read a whole book in a single day and I often did just that.
My mom wasn’t much interested in books so most of my literary inspiration came from book-loving teachers. I attended a Christian school from second through sixth grade and all five of my teachers read out loud to the class nearly every day. I’ll never forget hearing “The Secret Garden” in third grade. A lifelong lover of flowers, I was absolutely entranced by the notion of a neglected garden springing to life with the careful attention of a couple of misfit children.
Even though my mom wasn’t a book reader herself, she would buy me a book if I asked for it. That’s how I ended up with a copy of “A Little Princess”. As I began reading, I was immediately captivated by the story of Sara Crewe. Here was a little girl who loved her special doll, Emily, as much as I loved my own dolls. The story takes place in foggy London, a location I’ve always found to be a good setting. Not to mention, I’ve always had this thing for stories about boarding school. As I read, I was aware of how much the book reminded me of “The Secret Garden”. As an eight year old, I was only just beginning to notice the authors of the books I read. I didn’t have a copy of “The Secret Garden” but when I went to school I took a look at the copy in our classroom and was delighted to see that they had both been written by Frances Hodgson Burnett. My guess was correct!
I have absolutely no idea how many times I’ve read this charming book. The cheap copy I had as a child started to fall apart so I bought the book in the photo above at a used book store shortly after we moved to Oklahoma. My maiden name is penciled inside so it had to be the first year we lived here. I have fond memories of reading it to Lisa. Whenever I’m in need of what I think of as a “comfort book” (the literary version of comfort food) I pull this off the shelf and spend a few hours immersed in the dramatic story of a cherished little girl who finds out what true character is when her life takes a tragic turn.
Do you have a special book from your childhood? I’d love to hear what it is and why it is a favorite.
Well, you know my comfort book, "To Kill A Mockingbird." I just read "Atticus, Scout and Boo," a tribute to the 50 year anniversary of "Mockingbird." But there was so much reference to Twain's "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" in that book, I had to read it. Very interesting, similar themes of race, conscience, right and wrong. It is also an adult's book written through the eyes of a child. I finished it this morning. Thanks, Dee
I read "Huck" as a kid and then again as an assignment in a college course I took on Mark Twain (by an professor who had done her thesis on him). So many levels on which this book can be read. People often think of it as a children's book but it's not.
Hi Deanna,
I have vivid memories of my favorite childhood book – Wind in the Willows. I was sitting in my little three room schoolhouse in England, where I grew up, and during our English class I found some words from that book – where Mole sees Rat's eye shining from his water side home and it gradually emerges and it is Rat. At that very moment I realised that there was a whole book about these magical creatures and I could read it for myself and find out all about them. I was probably about seven years old at the time, and that book started me off on a life long love of reading – when I was given a Kindle for my birthday that was the first book I downloaded, and it's still pure magic.
I love your e-mails and blogs Deanna – way further down the road of life than you and on my way to glory, but I do so enjoy sharing your adventures – your bathroom decoration sounds perfect. You go girl!! Sheila.
The Secret Garden will always be one of my childhood favorites. Thanks for the reminder
I still remember being enchanted by it when my 3rd grade teacher read it to our class.