I saw the light go on in his eyes
May 25th 2008 20:38
When it comes to my kids, I have a weakness. I simply cannot say no when they ask, ‘mum can I have this book?’ To me, a refusal in this instance would be as evil as threatening, ‘don’t you DARE eat that broccoli / carrot / cucumber.’ It would be like refusing a child sushi and force-feeding them Mcdonalds. Or commanding that the National Geographic documentary channel be switched off in favour of the Simpsons.
I am a great believer in The Book. I have this silly idea that readers are leaders. That people who read are not boring, and never bored. That if you read, you can work your way out of just about any funk, whether it be emotional, financial or psychological. My personal motto is, when in doubt, read.
Since I am pretty invested in this idea, this week I put my money where my mouth is and I shlepped both my kids with me to the Sydney Writers Festival to listen to a range of utterly fabulous children’s authors speak.
Those of us living in countries where we have access to such adventures as a Writers Festival where writers from all over the world are celebrated and revered, are amongst a blessed minority. While some countries are battling with xenophobic attacks, displaced people, decimated communities through earthquakes, war, HIV and poverty it is a rare luxury to spend time in this indulgent pursuit.
This past week Sydney celebrated its annual Writers Festival with international writer-superstars such as Jeanette Winterson (Oranges are Not the Only Fruit, Written on the Body, The Passion), Junot Diaz (The Brief Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao) and Anne Enright (The Gathering, Stumbling into Motherhood).
My daughter who is a great book lover has come with me to the Writers Festival for the past two years, where she has listened to children’s authors talk, and has learned to love the ritual of then buying the book and queuing up for the author to sign it. This year I thought I’d try it out with my eight year old son who is far more interested in computers than books, and is very much harder to impress when Pokemon is not involved in any way.
This week my son learned what an oxymoron is.
He discovered that the English alphabet originated in Iraq.
He begged me to buy him a book about the English language (thanks to children’s author Ursula Dubasarsky who made it sound so fascinating through her book The Word Spy).
I don’t care that he may have been motivated by the fact that it came with a tiny little magnifying glass.
Because of author, Michael Gerard Bauer’s hilarious presentation my daughter can now recite the opening line of Moby Dick, ‘Call me Ishmael.
She also has a fair grip of the intricacies of The Great Gatsby due to Nicki Greenberg's exquisite rendition of it in cartoons.
I spent far too much money this week at the festival.
I never said NO to a single request for a book.
I can’t say for sure, but I think I saw lights go on in my son’s eyes this week. I think he may have caught the bug, that singular enchantment at the delight of a new book.
Last night he fell asleep clutching his brand new signed copy of Carole Wilkinson’s Dragon Dictionary.
www.joannefedler.com
Book trailer for Things Without A Name
I am a great believer in The Book. I have this silly idea that readers are leaders. That people who read are not boring, and never bored. That if you read, you can work your way out of just about any funk, whether it be emotional, financial or psychological. My personal motto is, when in doubt, read.
Since I am pretty invested in this idea, this week I put my money where my mouth is and I shlepped both my kids with me to the Sydney Writers Festival to listen to a range of utterly fabulous children’s authors speak.
Those of us living in countries where we have access to such adventures as a Writers Festival where writers from all over the world are celebrated and revered, are amongst a blessed minority. While some countries are battling with xenophobic attacks, displaced people, decimated communities through earthquakes, war, HIV and poverty it is a rare luxury to spend time in this indulgent pursuit.
This past week Sydney celebrated its annual Writers Festival with international writer-superstars such as Jeanette Winterson (Oranges are Not the Only Fruit, Written on the Body, The Passion), Junot Diaz (The Brief Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao) and Anne Enright (The Gathering, Stumbling into Motherhood).
My daughter who is a great book lover has come with me to the Writers Festival for the past two years, where she has listened to children’s authors talk, and has learned to love the ritual of then buying the book and queuing up for the author to sign it. This year I thought I’d try it out with my eight year old son who is far more interested in computers than books, and is very much harder to impress when Pokemon is not involved in any way.
This week my son learned what an oxymoron is.
He discovered that the English alphabet originated in Iraq.
He begged me to buy him a book about the English language (thanks to children’s author Ursula Dubasarsky who made it sound so fascinating through her book The Word Spy).
I don’t care that he may have been motivated by the fact that it came with a tiny little magnifying glass.
Because of author, Michael Gerard Bauer’s hilarious presentation my daughter can now recite the opening line of Moby Dick, ‘Call me Ishmael.
She also has a fair grip of the intricacies of The Great Gatsby due to Nicki Greenberg's exquisite rendition of it in cartoons.
I spent far too much money this week at the festival.
I never said NO to a single request for a book.
I can’t say for sure, but I think I saw lights go on in my son’s eyes this week. I think he may have caught the bug, that singular enchantment at the delight of a new book.
Last night he fell asleep clutching his brand new signed copy of Carole Wilkinson’s Dragon Dictionary.
www.joannefedler.com
Book trailer for Things Without A Name
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Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
After all, books are magical in the sense that, no matter what the price or how poor the quality of the printing, the value of the words is exactly the same!
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Saw the trailer - I am ready to be grabbed by the scruff of the neck.
Michaelie
Comment by postmoderncritic
Postmodern Critic
Daily Inspirations
Relativity Watch
Padsoc
Joanne, I'm not sure if you're aware that The Simpsons is a very highly regarded satire? There are numerous academic articles written about it, and it is often studied in TV courses at university...
I don't see the discussion of writing as indulgent but as necessary to a healthy lifestyle - as vital as eating well and getting exercise. That's why we have expressions like 'food for thought' and 'exercising your mind'.
Great article, and I'm glad you encourage your children to read so much.
Comment by Joanne Fedler
Thanks Michaelie
Postmoderncritic - I am aware of how highly regarded THe Simpsons is as an adult satire. Are you aware of the effect that show has on an eight-year old's inappropriate use of the phrase 'eat my shorts'?
Jo
Comment by postmoderncritic
Postmodern Critic
Daily Inspirations
Relativity Watch
Padsoc
Comment by Jayne Kearney
Writers In Writing (and other writing)
This post brought tears of joy to my eyes. I, too, am a believer in The Book. I remember in times past when I was feeling traumatised or just fragile I would reach for a book in much the same way an addict must reach for their drug of choice. I proudly declare that my addiction is to reading.
What a beautiful indulgence to attend the SWF - being trapped here in the backwaters (well Newcastle anyway!) I am supremely envious of you Sydney-siders!
The Great Gatsby is arguably my favourite book (if I really must choose - which, btw, I was actually asked to do today) so I am intrigued by Nicki Greenberg's 'exquisite' cartoon version.
Thank you so much for sharing - and the metaphor about 'the light going on' in your son's eyes is simply glorious.
Beautiful post
Jayne
Comment by Selina
Sounds of Sydney
To follow on from Cibbuano's thoughts,there used to be a second hand book store near a old workplace, and it was so much fun going in. Some of the classics were actual first prints, and mostly priced between the $10-$30 price range- an absolute steal.
Comment by tlcorbin
Coffee Quip
Raven
Comment by Anne from SA
I think you writing his own adventure book is a super idea !
Take care
Anne