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Monday, December 11, 2006I Always CryReading aloud to a child is not only the best way to instill a love of literature -- it's an act of pure joy. Well, at least it is for me. I should qualify that statement. The book mustn't be unfettered schlock, or an overly wordy Seuss tome (I hated reading Horton the Elephant with such intensity that I actually got rid of the book). A well-written book with beautiful pictures? That's the best. And The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski is, in my opinion, among the best of the best. So I decided to read it to Spencer this morning. You know, Christmastime and all that -- it's just one of those "gotta reads" at this time of year. So we snuggled onto the chair by the window and began. I knew I'd cry when I got to the part where Mr. Toomey pulls out the charcoal sketch. I always cry. In fact, my voice was already wobbling on the previous page, in anticipation of what was coming. It doesn't matter that I tell myself, "I won't cry this time. I've read the book enough to stay steady." Nope. I cry anyway. Now, crying whilst reading to an older child is easy to explain -- especially to tear-prone females. As we get older, we learn that tears come unbidden for more than a scraped knee or broken crayon. But explaining tears to a small child? Not so easily done. So I was prepared to explain my tears to Spencer. I was certain he would question me, wonder about the quaver in my voice and the wet on my face. He didn't. He just listened. So I read, and I cried. And the next time I read it, I'll cry again. I don't cry easily. For as passionate and frenetic as I am, you may find that hard to believe; but it's true. Maybe it's because I feel safer getting angry, or maybe it's because I've learned, somewhere along the way, to hide my vulnerability. Whatever the reason for my usual plugged-upness, Jonathan Toomey gets right to my heart and draws the tears. Every single time. Have you read the book? Then you know what I'm talking about. Have you missed this one? Grab it. Read it to the nearest child...or to yourself. When the tears come, you will thank me. |
About Me
I am: Mother to five stunningly individualistic children... Writer of young adult fantasy... Passionate advocate for Women At Home... Madly in love with my husband... In need of Organic Gourmet Chocolate on a regular basis. I've got a Paypal account if you'd like to contribute to the cause....
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9of my readers are feeling chatty:
Oh my gosh - Jill, this one strikes a chord!!
Your sister sent the children this book a few years ago. I can't read it. I totally can't get through it, I bawl.
I have tears in my eyes just reading this blog. *chuckle*
Luckily she was wise enough to send us a beautiful version with a CD.
I hug the littlest ones close, quietly wipe my tears, smile as the teenagers try to hide the glistening of their own eyes and leave the reading to James Earl Jones. :'-)
I ahve not read this one - now have it on hold at the library - I'm 4th in the Queue!
I have one for you as well
The Last Straw by Fredrick H Thury
Smiles
Kate
Ps - we miss you at H@HBB!
Our family read Christmas stories every Christmas Eve, and one of the standards was a book called "The Littlest Angel." If you visit DramaMama's blog at http://dramaqueensguide.blogspot.com/ you can see the book.
My dad always read to us, and there is a part in it that he cannot read without choking up. He would always have to hand it off to mom to finish.
It is a wonderful story.
Another of our traditional reads is "Mr. Willoughby's Christmass Tree". It's a classic.
We always finished with the story of the Nativity from the Bible.
I cannot read that book without crying either.
I love that book!
love, love, love that book!
You all are making me cry... :)
Why haven't you read that book to me?
Thank you for the recommendation. I've been wanting to go to the book store to get a 'special' Christmas book this year. Last year we read the Polar Express (and yes, I cried thru that one)
I'll let you know what we all think of it.
I've never heard of this one. I'll have to go find it. I'm always on the lookout for beautifully written stories.
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