What’s your favourite childhood book?
I was lucky growing up. Both my parents were readers and there were always books in my home. Trips to the library were a regular thing and there was always the Scholastic flyer to supplement my own collection. (I remember books costing a pittance compared to know and yet I also remember squirrelling away my dimes and nickels so I could buy the books I wanted.)
I actually talked about first literary loves last January. You can read that post here
Then I’d love for you to tell me about those early books – the ones that turned you into a reader.
The Ludic Reader 
I was never much of a reader as a child. Still am not an avid reader, such as you are, Christie, or my dear wife. Myself, I would rather be ‘doing stuff’ instead of sitting and reading, both when I was a kid, and now as an adult. In our childhood home books were not really a big part of our lives. Though, Mum loved to read novels, and would often get ‘lost’ reading the paper or a book she had been lent from a friend when she had the time, which in our busy household was not too often. As a child, I was a reluctant reader mostly because I only learned to read in grade 1, after a series of ‘remedial’ classes with my mum, where we would sit down and go through the my Guinn 360 Reading Series from school. Not sure why these stories were called Adventures with Betty, Tom and Susan because none of them too exciting for me or many of other kids I knew in my class, (who cared whether Tom could run or not!), and certainly not for someone like me who struggled to understand the printed word. Regardless, after this ‘catch up’ time, I would sometimes find a book that caught my attention, like the Hardy Boys Adventure Series, by Franklin W. Dixon. Because the lives of Joe and Frank were so different from mine, I couldn’t put the book down once I got started. However, as I say, I would first have to come indoors from playing long enough to take the time to read. It is interesting how old childhood habits are hard to change.
You’re right, John. Those early readers were BORING! No wonder kids would rather play outside. The world of children’s lit has really changed. I am reading a lot more Young Adult fiction because I want to be able to recommend it to students…but I also have to say I am really enjoying it.
And like your experience with The Hardy Boys – if you just find the right book, reading is a pleasure!
Christie 🙂 Like your parents mine were frantic readers and they both always had books on the go (my Dad would often have more then one at a time). So, I was surrounded by books, thus developing my love of reading from an early age. There were a couple of books that affected me as a kid. One was entitled “What Katy Did”. Not sure of the author but I remember loving it – and we shared the same name. The other favorite, still to this day, is The Secret Garden by Frances Hodges Burnett. I’m sure Mallory has read this one as it’s a classic. 🙂
Spelling error…. ‘Hodgson’ 🙂
Oh, I get it – you think Hodgson should be Hodges…right? Nope, Hodgson is correct, m’dear. (Or, are you saying you misspelled it? I’m so confused!) Mal did read The Secret Garden. I’m partial to A Little Princess. How in the hell are you?