Letter Blocks

[#1]

When I was growing up, my mom read to me and my sisters every night before bedtime. Some of my earliest memories in life are of us little girls, squeezed all together on the couch next to mom, hanging on every word she read to us from children's books. To this day, there is very little I love more than curling up with a good book. This love of reading was instilled in me at a very young age, beginning with an endless variety of children's books. I could never get enough!

The Grimm's Fairy Tales always fascinated me as a little girl. There were so many exotic characters: kings and queens and sons and daughters. They talked strangely, ate strange things, traveled to strange places. These stories lit the fire of my young imagination, even scared me sometimes.

Another all-time favorite was Where the Wild Things Are. I wanted to be Max, prince of his own wild world. He stood for courage. I can picture the illustrations in my mind's eye just as clearly as if I were staring at the pages all those years ago.

I devoured Roald Dahl's books, but particularly loved James and the Giant Peach and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I was obsessed with Harriet the Spy and read every single one of the Ramona the Pest books. I actually read many ‘series' books, some whose names have escaped me. I remember a book about how to eat fried worms. I remember what the kids ate from the vending machine in From the Mixed- Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.

The best day at school was the book fair day, when we were allowed to take a small amount of money to school and come home with shiny new books. I bought  a lot of Doctor Seuss on those special days.

One book from childhood that has stayed with me my whole life is The Little Prince. The lessons of personal responsibility and human foibles still inspire me today. The Little Prince is a book for all ages and all time.

The fact that the books that were read to me or that I read as a child still burn so brightly in my memory let's me know that reading is fundamental to personal growth. A good book opens your mind to wonderful, colorful journeys, things you didn't think possible or couldn't conceive of yourself. Books make me want to experience life to the fullest. They introduce unforgettable characters who stay with me always. They teach life's great lessons and remind us of the precious, complicated gift of our humanity. Many of us can relate to the dawning ache at the realization that a magnificent book is about to end.

But, then, we can always read them again, and again, and again. Just like we asked Mom to do for us all those years ago.

Editor's Note: Emily Saliers is a member of the Indigo Girls and the author of Song to Sing, A Life to Live: Reflections on Music as Spiritual Practice.

Message Edited by PaulH on 07-06-2009 08:02 AM

[#2]

Emily, I have never forgotten passing you on a sidewalk at VCU.

I was so wrapped up in 'my no good, terrible, very bad day' of graduate school and missed a chance to say hello. 

Children's books are often litle bits of zen that remind us how cluttered adult life gets.  As a child, my mother and I would sit down together and read these large picture books where the main character (an artist, I think) would travel thru the famous cities of the world with all their landmarks.  Somewhere on each page, Mom  and I would search til we found him. There he would be with his easel.  The best nites were the ones when we had a fire in the fireplace and it was snowing so I knew that school was canceled.  Then we'd do a couple of these - I loved the colors.

Later, I also was reading history, philosophy, and theology on my own.  Jotted down ideas that I shared with my close friends. Now I sometimes go back to my jottings to find different inspirations.

Life has come full circle in a way.  I keep my father's memory alive by my interest in baseball.  And my mother, who is in the grip of dementia, is now the one who loves to see picturebooks of England and Scotland that I buy for her and that we share.

Life is a journey (thanks John) and I am in my fourth decade and still surprised how looking inward/looking outward is my creative process.

[#3]

I am both a mother and 4th grade inner city school teacher and like you, am inspired daily by the books in my life.  An ongoing assignment for my students, and myself, is to keep a log of all of the books I am currently reading, of the books I have recently read, and books that have been recommended to me. 

People always say to me, "Gosh, it must be so difficult to teach inner city kids."  My reply is always the same, "Two things separate my students from others their age, poverty and a lack of back ground knowledge which is acquired through experiences.  I do what I can to help them deal with poverty, but my books...our books...that's what makes the difference; they allow for the rich expressive experiences that my kids wouldn't normally have access to."  

My kids get a kick out of reading each other's book logs, and they are especially critical of mine.  At the beginning of the year they don't understand why I reread so many books.  I begin by explaining that each book holds a special mood or feeling or experience for me.  For example I love reading The Last of the Mohicans in the fall.  I tell them all about the book and tell them the story about how I read the book for the first time while having evacuated for a hurricane when I was 19 and had nothing else to comfort me.  Then they see the book Candy Freak on my list several times and tell me I'm cheating by reading that one so much until I explain that I use it as a reference.  That each time I try a new candy that is in the book, I look it up to see just HOW I'm supposed to eat it. 

By the end of the year most of the kids get it and they have stories to go with each of their favorite books.  Sure they can tell you all about the book, but it's when they make that human connection with the book, that's when you know they've got it, they've experienced it! 

I love to expose my kids to classic chapter books like Freckle Juice, The BFG, and The Gold Cadillac, I also love to give them the gift of rich picture books like The Stranger, Henry's Freedom Box, and Chicken Sunday.  By the end of October my students understand, and relish the fact, that books can take them anywhere they want to go.  Out of our classroom, out of their poverty stricken home, away from bullies, teachers, parents, siblings, away to a place where they can do anything, be anyone, and accomplish everything.  It is through the often complex yet delicious pages of a book that my students learn humility, honor, respect, love, and happiness and enjoy a great story along the way.

Who needs a vacation when you have a great book!

Oh, and Emily, I am such a fan. I saw the Indigo Girls years ago while working at Tower Records in New Orleans, saw you guys at Tipitina's ...then several years later at Red Rocks in Denver (in the rain!) Great shows!  I think Tip's was my fav!

[#4]

When I saw who was writing this article, I had to read it. I am a huge fan of the Indigo Girls and am glad the gift of lyrics has not disappeared. Books have always ment security to me. Even if the physical book isn't in my hands, it , and the feelings, remain. And I'm glad to say that both of my sons are readers. They have many of the books from my childhood, as well as many new ones. My oldest son is a ravonous Harry Potter fan, having all seven books and the five movies that are out. But he wouldn't be that way if it wasn't for my mom and dad. Mom used to read to me, not only at night but in the grocery store encouraging me to read the covers of magazines to figure out the words. Dad had another approach. He wanted me to read to him. And seeing their love of reading was amazing. And yes, I was the freak in high school that not only understood Shakespeare, but liked it as well. I think reading is something that covers so much more than entertainment or gathering information. It is the one thing that is not only individual, but it is a true thread that runs through us all, in the very least in the books we don't like and were forced to read with arms twisted behind our backs. I am glad to see that there are others out there.

[#5]

Emily, as many of us do, I learned to love reading from a teacher of mine, an English teacher named Ellis Loyd.  His love of literature was contagious and started me on a reading frenzy that has never ended...indeed, I usually have upwards of 4 books going at any one time.  It is a habit I've tried to pass to my girls and have been half-successful as my older girl is an avid reader...still working on the younger one.

I go to author readings from time to time and keep hearing authors bemoan the "decline of reading " of literature.  Perhaps eBooks will be the format for the next generation...that's ok with me if it keeps authors writing great books (though I will always prefer the feel of a real book).

Haven't seen you and Amy since we were in college (came with Loyd to a local bar) but have all your CDs...you guys are awesome.