today the new york times has a reader's opinion sparked by harry potter asking: "what were your favorite books when you were a kid?" though in my heart of hearts i feel that i am still 11 years old, alas, i am not. but just for today i'm going to relive my childhood favorites.
here's my (abbreviated) list of favorites (as far as i can remember...):
the giving tree: i actually still have the copy i received when i was about 7. friendship has been a fundamental part of my life. every time i moved from one new place to another i cried my sad little girl tears and thought i'd never recover. i think this is why i loved (and still do)this book. the unconditional love the tree shows for the boy and silverstein's simplicity on the subject will be eternally touching.
bridge to terabithia-this novel carries the same type of message as the previous and the two following: friendship and it's lasting effects. it taught me what friends are truly for and how the people we select (or who select us) as friends will help mold us into who we will become.
where the red fern grows- who doesn't love this book? pretty much the same thoughts as with bridge to terabithia.
a cricket in times square-just a beautiful book. i still have the copy i had as a child of this one as well.
the lion, the witch and the wardrobe- i'm pretty certain it has been enchanting children since the day it was published. i heart cs lewis, his characters, his themes, and his way of truly creating a make believe world that as a child, i believed could actually exist.
a wrinkle in time- another enchanting book. though i do not read much fantasy nowadays, there is something about reading that genre as a child. maybe it's because our young minds are more receptive to creativity? maybe we are more likely to believe in the "unbelievable?"
choose your own adventure- man, i miss these books. there was such excitement and anticipation when reading these books. i loved the idea of having some responsibility in the resolution of the plot. genius idea, and i only wish kids read these more now. do they?
the little prince- is it possible to love a character as much as i love the little prince? i loved his simple comprehension of life. maybe it was because i felt as if he understood it as i did. i only wish we could hold on to more of that childlike perception.
i really could go on and on. the more i sit and think about what i read as a child, the more i want to add to this list. it's actually been lovely to revisit the past in this way. it's different than just reminiscing. i do believe that the books we read as children become a part of us and stay with us always. i think that may be why i love reading so much. the indelible impressions books leave on the soul makes me feel alive, it makes me feel connected to something greater than myself.
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