Oh wow. That feeling of wishing so desperately to give peace, even if it was your own--I know that feeling. And I can't tell you how much I appreciate these thoughts about the way peace really does find us in these loud and soft, far and near, sort of unexplainable ways. It's sort of...impossible to talk about, but I also wish we talked about it so much more. Thank you for this.
I definitely write these things as much for myself (maybe more) as for anyone else, but you're welcome. I'm always glad if even one person finds it valuable.
The first half of this newsletter is devastating, Sarah, but you write it so beautifully ~ thank you for sharing. And the second half ~ SPOT ON. Constant questioning and discussion of shared reading *can* be a joy-killer, both at home and at school, and parents get the wonderful job of ALWAYS getting to choose to be a joy-bringer when it comes to reading :-)
I wrote some about talking to kids about books last week, too! (Because my whole thing is joy and connection through reading.) I cannot 👏 agree 👏 more 👏 with the low pressure comments. If we can help our children love reading and think/express themselves in this low pressure way at home, we are giving them such a gift that they will carry into other parts of their lives 💛
Thanks so much for these strategies and also the permission to disregard them, ha! I definitely try to discuss characters' feelings but don't get much further than that either. I'm going to try some of these tips (especially love the drawing it out idea) but won't push it to the point of making reading a chore. Love this!
This is going to sound so trite, I'm cringing, but the thoughts you had about Girl Scout cookies and qigong are what make life worth living. I'm sure that's what your husband was trying to protect when he was in Iraq: the ordinary, mundaneness of life. Devastatingly it was at the cost of his peace and well-being. I hope I haven't bungled my explanation--just that there's nothing trivial about your thoughts.
I hate when someone talks to me during a movie and it's the same thing when I'm reading. I also think it's good to give someone time to process and consider what they've read. Interrupting in the middle not only ruins the flow but interrupts our ability to *comprehensively* understand what we've just experienced.
I know what you mean -- I do -- and also, sometimes it's made so clear to me how many things I take for granted, and how I receive exactly the message I need exactly when I need it.
Hey Sarah! My sister in law just had a miscarriage and I was wondering if you’ve discovered any books that would be good for toddlers to read to help process the grief of this? Just thought I’d ask! You’re the most well read person I could think of!
Thanks for sharing that story. Makes me think of my brother, who has some of his own similar stories to tell.
I think it's great to discuss what you're reading with kids, whether that's before, after, or during. When I read with kids, I'll sometimes stop to ask a question during the story. For example, when I read TWO TOUGH TRUCKS GET LOST to a group of students, I might stop and ask if any of them have ever gotten lost before. I just ask them to raise their hands so we don't get away from the story. But mostly I will sandwich the reading between some questions. When I'm reading with toddlers, it's more about exploring the illustrations as we read.
"I think about how I feel when my reading is interrupted" Okay stop right there, I have no idea why it never occurred to me to think about that. Of course kids get annoyed when I stop to ask questions, I would get annoyed too. Thank you for pointing that out. 😅
Wow. Thank you for sharing this.
Oh wow. That feeling of wishing so desperately to give peace, even if it was your own--I know that feeling. And I can't tell you how much I appreciate these thoughts about the way peace really does find us in these loud and soft, far and near, sort of unexplainable ways. It's sort of...impossible to talk about, but I also wish we talked about it so much more. Thank you for this.
I definitely write these things as much for myself (maybe more) as for anyone else, but you're welcome. I'm always glad if even one person finds it valuable.
As always, your writing blows me away. Sending love <3 and peace
Thanks, Cassie 🩷
The first half of this newsletter is devastating, Sarah, but you write it so beautifully ~ thank you for sharing. And the second half ~ SPOT ON. Constant questioning and discussion of shared reading *can* be a joy-killer, both at home and at school, and parents get the wonderful job of ALWAYS getting to choose to be a joy-bringer when it comes to reading :-)
I wrote some about talking to kids about books last week, too! (Because my whole thing is joy and connection through reading.) I cannot 👏 agree 👏 more 👏 with the low pressure comments. If we can help our children love reading and think/express themselves in this low pressure way at home, we are giving them such a gift that they will carry into other parts of their lives 💛
Exactly!
Thanks so much for these strategies and also the permission to disregard them, ha! I definitely try to discuss characters' feelings but don't get much further than that either. I'm going to try some of these tips (especially love the drawing it out idea) but won't push it to the point of making reading a chore. Love this!
This is going to sound so trite, I'm cringing, but the thoughts you had about Girl Scout cookies and qigong are what make life worth living. I'm sure that's what your husband was trying to protect when he was in Iraq: the ordinary, mundaneness of life. Devastatingly it was at the cost of his peace and well-being. I hope I haven't bungled my explanation--just that there's nothing trivial about your thoughts.
I hate when someone talks to me during a movie and it's the same thing when I'm reading. I also think it's good to give someone time to process and consider what they've read. Interrupting in the middle not only ruins the flow but interrupts our ability to *comprehensively* understand what we've just experienced.
I know what you mean -- I do -- and also, sometimes it's made so clear to me how many things I take for granted, and how I receive exactly the message I need exactly when I need it.
Ahh gotcha. I’ve had those moments. It’s like the universe has delivered a mild dose of reality to jolt you into another perspective. ❤️
Yes, that, exactly.
Sending you and your family love.
Hey Sarah! My sister in law just had a miscarriage and I was wondering if you’ve discovered any books that would be good for toddlers to read to help process the grief of this? Just thought I’d ask! You’re the most well read person I could think of!
Hi Megan -- I'm so sorry to hear this. I can't think of any titles that specifically address miscarriage, but in 2021, I wrote a huge special issue on loss, death, and grief that might be helpful: https://canweread.substack.com/p/spotlight-on-loss-death-and-grief
If you don't have the bandwidth for that, I also have a booklist on Bookshop.org for the same topic: https://bookshop.org/lists/books-for-loss-death-and-grief (I get a small commission if you make a purchase using that link.)
Thank you for linking this!! It’s super helpful.
You’re welcome.
Thanks for sharing that story. Makes me think of my brother, who has some of his own similar stories to tell.
I think it's great to discuss what you're reading with kids, whether that's before, after, or during. When I read with kids, I'll sometimes stop to ask a question during the story. For example, when I read TWO TOUGH TRUCKS GET LOST to a group of students, I might stop and ask if any of them have ever gotten lost before. I just ask them to raise their hands so we don't get away from the story. But mostly I will sandwich the reading between some questions. When I'm reading with toddlers, it's more about exploring the illustrations as we read.
Yes, I agree. I think the key is keeping it natural and low-pressure, regardless of the point at which you're doing it.
"I think about how I feel when my reading is interrupted" Okay stop right there, I have no idea why it never occurred to me to think about that. Of course kids get annoyed when I stop to ask questions, I would get annoyed too. Thank you for pointing that out. 😅
You're welcome! (It took took me a long time to figure that out too 😉 )
Wow.. Thanks for such beautiful writing and helping us all have a little perspective. Wiping the tears away…