Tag: reading
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February 22, 2022
Yesterday on a walk, I met a grandmother and her four-year-old granddaughter. We talked about the joys of reading together. “How many books do you think you’ve read?” I asked. “Twenty-five zillion,” said the girl. “A lot,” said the grandmother. “Do you have a favorite?” I asked. “We love all of them!” shouted the girl.…
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January 18, 2022
I was standing in the grocery store checkout line, and a small boy walked past me—once, twice, three times. When he came back the fourth time, he was holding his mother’s hand. “That’s her,” he said. He pointed at me. “Don’t point, honey,” said his mother. And then to me she said, “My son’s class…
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December 21, 2021
In a far corner of the produce section at the grocery store: a child sitting cross-legged, head resting on her hands, book open in her lap, utterly engrossed in a story. It makes me so happy to see her there–reading amidst the bustle. I want to tell her she has given me a gift. But…
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November 16, 2021
Late afternoon last week and I was walking past a house when the door banged open and a woman shouted, “Kate? I’m a teacher. I wanted to tell you a story.” “Okay,” I said. “I love a story.” “So, I teach fourth grade.” “Uh huh,” I said. “Do you read aloud to them?” “Please,” said…
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October 13, 2021
On an early morning walk with Ramona. Young girl: (clearly on her way to school): Wait. Are you the person who writes books? Me: Happily, I am one of the people who writes books. Girl: What? Me: Yes, I write books. Girl: Good. I want to ask you a question. Me: Okay. Girl: This is…
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September 28, 2021
I knew from a very young age that the written word was something I needed, but yet I struggled to learn to read. It was my mother who led me through the struggle, who held up words on flashcards for me to memorize, who believed in me. Words—the power and privilege of reading and writing—are…