It makes me very, very happy. And not just because it keeps him quiet for up to 45 seconds at a time.
I have always loved reading. And I mean I love it, big time. I can't remember when I started reading, but I do remember my parents laughing at me for being so desperate to read something that I always knew the back of the breakfast cereal packet off by heart. I read on the bus (but not the car. Stupid motion sickness), during mealtimes (when I could get away with it) and in bed until stupid-o'clock. Everywhere and everywhen. I remember being absolutely transported by the Chronicles of Narnia, slightly terrified by The Lord of The Rings
(possibly should have left that one a year or two longer...), totally entranced byThe Borrowers
, and almost as happy reading Sweet Valley High
. Hey, I'm a voracious reader, not a picky one (although there is a definite fantasy theme running through my most favouritest books).
One of my favourite 'grown up' books is Gormenghast. I haven't read it for a few years, but the creepy characters and Peake's amazing descriptive powers never fail to send me to a different world. My all time favourite books, however, have to be the Discworld
series by the unparalleled Terry Pratchett. Fantasy and hilarity in one neat package (carried on the back of four elephants). The Discworld shelf on our bookcase is two deep (actually, most of the bookshelf is two deep) and my mother always jokes that I could recite most of them off by heart. Possibly I could.
Sadly, I have slightly less time to read now, but it makes me just as happy (well, almost) to see Teddy begin to take an interest in books. I know that there's no particular reason that he should end up the reader that I was (and will be again, no doubt. Just as soon as I can persuade Teddy to extend his reading sessions to 90 seconds or more), but I love the idea that he is getting even a taste of the kind of excitement and joy that books can bring. His current favourite is the wordless Welcome to the Zoo
- I make up stories to go with the animals and visitors and Teddy provides the sound effects (including, usually, a resounding "neenaw!" for the imaginary fire engine at about page four), but he also loves being read to, particularly Hairy Maclary
(I have yet to see Adam escape without reading all five stories in that book) and new favourite Great big little red train
.