I'm sorry for the concussion, and hope you heal up! This world needs your words (and your book picks). I found old friends on this book list lik Elizabeti's Doll (I didn't realize there were other books in this world) and a Shirley Hughes book I haven't seen yet, and I need to get the other two. I always find so much goodness here.
Ooof, concussion does not sound like a good time, I'm sorry :/ Sending you healing vibes. And as always, so grateful for the wonderful books you introduce me too. I gotta check out this Alfie's Feet book asap.
Your preamble is word for word how I feel so often (minus the concussion part—I hope you’re okay!). Even though we can’t always figure it out it feels so good to know that there others that feel that way too.
As always delighted by all the books you shared (I too am a sucker for Shirley Hughes’ Alfie books!).
Oh! Sarah! Take care of yourself in these early days of recovery! Concussion is not good.
I LOVE this post--I must say. It's so true. That reading really does impart so so much.
You should know that my oldest son, now almost 33, OFTEN mentions how grateful he is for how much we read together when he was little.
Last year, we were having coffee, and I realized I was seeing a new tattoo under the edge of his sleeve... the closing illustration for his beloved picturebook, The Moon's Revenge (Joan Aiken), with art by Alan Lee! I have to admit, I cried, with this testament to the lasting love of a good story!
What you captured in the “sometimes the effort we expend” paragraph (really the whole section) was pure poetry. The “plink” you referred to, that we may or may not hear after casting in our little effort, was visceral and caught my own feelings so well!!!
Cannot wait to dive in to the tale about Carmella. Also, Alfie and Annie Rose have accompanied us on hours and hours of car travel— it’s one of our very favorite yoto cards! I didn’t realize I’m missing out on timeless and wonderful illustrations— definitely going to throw one of the series in our check out pile from the library next time we’re there.
I hope you are feeling better! Sarah, these two paragraphs are everything:
"There are many days I feel I’m failing as a mother, as the type of parent I want to be, but there’s one thing I can do, no matter what, that brings me back to my best intentions, to the deepest form of love I have for my kids, and that’s reading to them — even if I don’t feel like it, even if I am beyond exhausted, even if my heart is heavy, even if my eyes hurt, even if I’m not sure any of it is making a difference.
Don’t forget this, that reading to your children has a purpose. Even if the purpose is simply to share something you enjoy — that’s sharing your heart, love at the quantum level and love at an order of magnitude we can barely understand, and that matters more than we know or can know."
I've preordered The Search for Carmella and requested quite a few Shirley Hughes' books from the library. Oh, and tonight we unearthed Scranimals -- one of my favorite recommendations from you (which is really saying something).
I think Carmella will be a hit with your kiddos... the Shirley Hughes books will likely be too young (even though they're amazing and I'll stand by that forever -- the sweet spot for those are really preschool, ages 3-5). But who knows! You're always great at reporting back to me...
I'm sorry for the concussion, and hope you heal up! This world needs your words (and your book picks). I found old friends on this book list lik Elizabeti's Doll (I didn't realize there were other books in this world) and a Shirley Hughes book I haven't seen yet, and I need to get the other two. I always find so much goodness here.
Thank you for such kind words, Meredith — I needed them today 🙏🩷
Ooof, concussion does not sound like a good time, I'm sorry :/ Sending you healing vibes. And as always, so grateful for the wonderful books you introduce me too. I gotta check out this Alfie's Feet book asap.
Your preamble is word for word how I feel so often (minus the concussion part—I hope you’re okay!). Even though we can’t always figure it out it feels so good to know that there others that feel that way too.
As always delighted by all the books you shared (I too am a sucker for Shirley Hughes’ Alfie books!).
Oh! Sarah! Take care of yourself in these early days of recovery! Concussion is not good.
I LOVE this post--I must say. It's so true. That reading really does impart so so much.
You should know that my oldest son, now almost 33, OFTEN mentions how grateful he is for how much we read together when he was little.
Last year, we were having coffee, and I realized I was seeing a new tattoo under the edge of his sleeve... the closing illustration for his beloved picturebook, The Moon's Revenge (Joan Aiken), with art by Alan Lee! I have to admit, I cried, with this testament to the lasting love of a good story!
What you captured in the “sometimes the effort we expend” paragraph (really the whole section) was pure poetry. The “plink” you referred to, that we may or may not hear after casting in our little effort, was visceral and caught my own feelings so well!!!
Cannot wait to dive in to the tale about Carmella. Also, Alfie and Annie Rose have accompanied us on hours and hours of car travel— it’s one of our very favorite yoto cards! I didn’t realize I’m missing out on timeless and wonderful illustrations— definitely going to throw one of the series in our check out pile from the library next time we’re there.
I hope you are feeling better! Sarah, these two paragraphs are everything:
"There are many days I feel I’m failing as a mother, as the type of parent I want to be, but there’s one thing I can do, no matter what, that brings me back to my best intentions, to the deepest form of love I have for my kids, and that’s reading to them — even if I don’t feel like it, even if I am beyond exhausted, even if my heart is heavy, even if my eyes hurt, even if I’m not sure any of it is making a difference.
Don’t forget this, that reading to your children has a purpose. Even if the purpose is simply to share something you enjoy — that’s sharing your heart, love at the quantum level and love at an order of magnitude we can barely understand, and that matters more than we know or can know."
I've preordered The Search for Carmella and requested quite a few Shirley Hughes' books from the library. Oh, and tonight we unearthed Scranimals -- one of my favorite recommendations from you (which is really saying something).
Thank you, Darcy, as always.
I think Carmella will be a hit with your kiddos... the Shirley Hughes books will likely be too young (even though they're amazing and I'll stand by that forever -- the sweet spot for those are really preschool, ages 3-5). But who knows! You're always great at reporting back to me...