Reading Classics, or Musings on Mr. Toad
I'll confess: I loved "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride" at Disneyland, but I think it was mostly because of the old car, the pretense of driving, and the flames of hell at the end. Shiver. I don't recall ever connecting the ride and the book.
In fact, I may have a false notion that I read the book as a kid. That grassy, watery feeling I get whenever I see the title of the book may be just my imagination.
But recently, I re-read/read The Wind in the Willows. It was free for my new Kindle. And, every time I've been in the library this summer, I've said to myself, "Keri, you really should revisit these classics." I intended to embark on an epic summer classic reading assignment, and invite my blog readers to join me.
Alas, here we are, near the end of the summer, and I've read only one classic, and just three other books total. Sigh. Gone are those long days of childhood summers, when I read incessantly.
The goal of this post is not to depress you or myself. It's simply to say that reading The Wind in the Willows was a delight. Somewhat like visiting an old friend, peeking into the past and chuckling at the attitudes and habits of days gone by. Rolling my eyes at Toad's intractable love for motor cars. Settling in with Rat and Mole by the fire. Reading the classics is comforting.
So, my Kindle is loaded with classics, because they're free. I finally get to re-read The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew. I don't remember the story at all, just that I checked it out repeatedly from the library at University Hills Elementary school. It had one of those red library bindings.
What classic children's books hold a special place in your heart?
Image from Toad Lit 101 at Frogs Are Green.
In fact, I may have a false notion that I read the book as a kid. That grassy, watery feeling I get whenever I see the title of the book may be just my imagination.
But recently, I re-read/read The Wind in the Willows. It was free for my new Kindle. And, every time I've been in the library this summer, I've said to myself, "Keri, you really should revisit these classics." I intended to embark on an epic summer classic reading assignment, and invite my blog readers to join me.
Alas, here we are, near the end of the summer, and I've read only one classic, and just three other books total. Sigh. Gone are those long days of childhood summers, when I read incessantly.
The goal of this post is not to depress you or myself. It's simply to say that reading The Wind in the Willows was a delight. Somewhat like visiting an old friend, peeking into the past and chuckling at the attitudes and habits of days gone by. Rolling my eyes at Toad's intractable love for motor cars. Settling in with Rat and Mole by the fire. Reading the classics is comforting.
So, my Kindle is loaded with classics, because they're free. I finally get to re-read The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew. I don't remember the story at all, just that I checked it out repeatedly from the library at University Hills Elementary school. It had one of those red library bindings.
What classic children's books hold a special place in your heart?
Image from Toad Lit 101 at Frogs Are Green.
Like you have to ask - the Little House books. Does Nurse Nancy count?
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I think Nurse Nancy is a timeless classic but I tend to think in terms of longer books such as Caddie Woodlawn (no recollection of reading it, beyond the certainty that I did), Stuart Little, etc. Remember when Noah liked the story "with the little mouse?"
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I bought Caddie Woodlawn at the used book sale in February but I haven't read it yet.
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