Love is a verb" is doing a lot of quiet work in that opening. The parent who reads aloud to a child isn't just givinv them a story, they're giving of themselves -their presence, and the child knows the difference even if they can't articulate it yet. That's the bit that stays. Not the story, but the fact that someone sat down and chose to read it with them.
Love this list! Fireboat is calling to me like a siren but I’m nervous since the subject matter is still one that fills me with grief (which is probably why I’m so drawn to it in the first place!).
Just ordered Too Small Tola! Thank you so much for another great post. We have often bought books you've recommended. Including Mrs McNosh 1,2 and 3 which is the current hit!
You find the best books, Sarah-- I shall be keeping a sharp eye out for "Echo" as I prowl around used bookstores and library book sales.
Your intro was so powerful. It needs to be seen by more people. So I'm reproducing it here, and shall restack it. Just outstanding.
"When we perform this act of love (reading aloud to children) we are creating a connection that... is valuable beyond measure.
"Valuable because connection is what makes us resilient. And books don’t fix what’s broken — though they can certainly shore us up so that we have the strength to do that — but feeling seen, heard, and held by one another helps us endure what’s difficult, even devastating. And the reminder that we are, at the end of the day, all humans together, doing our best in the weird, wild place that is our lifetime on this earth, just walking each other home (to quote Ram Dass), makes it easier to bear.
"Whatever efforts you are making to this end — reading aloud, providing books for your kids in whatever ways you can... it matters so much. It is important. Keep going."
Love is a verb" is doing a lot of quiet work in that opening. The parent who reads aloud to a child isn't just givinv them a story, they're giving of themselves -their presence, and the child knows the difference even if they can't articulate it yet. That's the bit that stays. Not the story, but the fact that someone sat down and chose to read it with them.
Love this list! Fireboat is calling to me like a siren but I’m nervous since the subject matter is still one that fills me with grief (which is probably why I’m so drawn to it in the first place!).
I had no idea I would have such a hard time. It is worth it.
Just ordered Too Small Tola! Thank you so much for another great post. We have often bought books you've recommended. Including Mrs McNosh 1,2 and 3 which is the current hit!
Oh, I hope you enjoy it!
Love TOO SMALL TOLA ❤️
You find the best books, Sarah-- I shall be keeping a sharp eye out for "Echo" as I prowl around used bookstores and library book sales.
Your intro was so powerful. It needs to be seen by more people. So I'm reproducing it here, and shall restack it. Just outstanding.
"When we perform this act of love (reading aloud to children) we are creating a connection that... is valuable beyond measure.
"Valuable because connection is what makes us resilient. And books don’t fix what’s broken — though they can certainly shore us up so that we have the strength to do that — but feeling seen, heard, and held by one another helps us endure what’s difficult, even devastating. And the reminder that we are, at the end of the day, all humans together, doing our best in the weird, wild place that is our lifetime on this earth, just walking each other home (to quote Ram Dass), makes it easier to bear.
"Whatever efforts you are making to this end — reading aloud, providing books for your kids in whatever ways you can... it matters so much. It is important. Keep going."