Earlier this week, I again read in one of my niece’s classes for the NEA Read Across America readathon. I’ve done this a couple times and really love it. It’s fun to sit, surrounded by all those inquisitive and wiggly little minds, their wide-eyes focused upon you in amusement and wonder! So attentive, openminded, and engaging! Their giggling energy rippling throughout their numbers (for they are legion…). Their playful laughter!
And to have my niece lovingly snuggle against my leg as I read…priceless.
It’s fun interacting with a roomful of them, listening to their surprisingly smart comments and “takes” on things. I try to remember what I was like at their age, and sometimes I can. I do remember the wonder I had for the world of words, of reading, I did a fair amount of it. I read about a book a week, through high school, sometimes more (I had chores and other, outdoorsy, stuff to do, too, you know…). I loved being transported away with words. Loved the images. Loved the medium itself…I did and still do really love books. Love not only their words but how they feel in my hands. Look on a bookshelf. Not a substitute for actually living one’s life, it was cool to know you could learn so much from books, even fiction. New words. New ideas. New places. Stretch one’s imagination….
And doing these reading sessions with these wonderful children brings such joy to one’s heart! If only for but a few moments, it takes me away from my worries and deadlines and minutiae. It puts me into their world. Their world of wonder and naiveté, chock full of what-ifs and clean slates!
Those who have stars upon thars!
I am so glad, that for however long I’ve done and may do it again, I’ve been able to bring a measure of joy to these youngsters! That however minute, I had some impact upon their collective lives. That I made a bunch of children I don’t even know (and one I do…) laugh and howl and oooh and ahhh. Listen to the words translated from a book, through my voice, meet their ears. Enter their minds.
And then I brought out the cookies….
I, too, have always enjoyed going into the classes – from pre-school where I went in with Chinese artifacts and discussed (and read about) Chinese culture and holidays…. to H.S. where I sponsored and lit magazines and did many a talk about the writing life, rhetorical devices and writing essays that grip the reader. The greatest description in your post, Frank, was “wiggly little minds” love it! Karen
Thanks, Karen! It was like entereing a whole, different world! I always love doing it! And, yeah, it was like, you could FEEL the “wiggly little mind” energy permeating them all! It was cool! :-]