When I was about 4 years old, I was the youngest kid on the block. All the "big" kids were in school all day every day. But I didn't want to be the "baby". In the apartment downstairs, there were two little girls who just finished first grade! I remember their names were Tammy and Brenda. They went to a private school so they were allowed to keep their books at the end of the year. When they finished first grade, they gave me some of their reading books. I remember paying very close attention to the segments on Sesame Street, The Letter People, and The Electric Company where the taught pronunciation. I would then go haul myself into the bedroom and practice reading. Finally one day, I came out of the room and told my mom I wanted to show her something. Then I read her a complete story out of the book. She was actually suprised and takes no credit for teaching me to read.
I started Kindergarten in 1979. Back in the old days, kids didn't have to know much before entering Kindergarten. So it was unusual for a kid to know how to read. I remember they sent me to the first grade class at the beginning of the year and had me read to them. Thinking back, I can't imagine why they had me do that. It seems kind of strange now. But I still remember standing at the front of the room and reading to these first graders who seemed so incredibly big and scary. But I sucked it up and read my book.
I guess that's where my love of books began. My favorite book was a book called Frisker. Which was first published in 1956. My mom has a cassette tape of me reading that book. I hope to record my son reading his first book too. I know that my mom and I both enjoyed listening to it when I got older.
When I was pregnant with my son, one of the first things that I wanted to do was start his book collection. I knew right away that I wanted to try to pass along that same love of reading on to him. And so far, it's working. He's three years old and not yet reading, but he does enjoy his story time at night. He usually sleeps with the books we read before bed.
I started my Barefoot books website shortly after my son was born. They have some really great books. It might be worth taking a peek at the website. See if there is anything that might interest you or your child.
Click on the image below for a fun music video!
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