Mary Grace became absolutely fascinated with Little Women a couple of years ago when I bought her a set of audio CDs for girls from Focus on the Family Radio Theater. It was a set that also came with the audios of The Secret Garden and Anne of Green Gables.
Because she so loved (and still loves) to listen to the CDs, I bought the book when I found it for a great price last year. I put it in a cabinet to keep for "later" when she would be old enough to understand and enjoy it. You see, the audio version is dramatized; it's not an actual reading of the book. I figured that the book would be too difficult for her to understand even though she could understand and enjoy the dramatized version.
Last week one day she was looking for a book to read (she had finished reading all the books she could get her hands on, and she knew I keep books in that cabinet) so she started searching my "book cabinet." Of course when she came across Little Women she grabbed it and ran straight to me. We looked at it together and realized that it would be a bit difficult for her to read to herself, so I agreed to read it to her for now.
I have been so pleased with how much we are both enjoying the book! Even at her age, she understands most of what I am reading to her. (The language in the book is different than what we use now, and some of the meanings of the words have changed or are words we no longer use reguarly.) In fact, at times, she will "correct" my reading. "Oh, no Mommy! Jo didn't say it like that. She said it like this," or "Oh, Mommy! Remember that Beth is the sweet one. She wouldn't have said it that way because it would have hurt Meg's feelings."
I hope I never again make the mistake of assuming she won't be able to understand a book just because of her young age. And I hope she continues to enjoy all kinds of books that she reads by herself and with me!
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That is one of my all time favortie books! I am planning on reading it to my oldest (she's going on nine) over the summer.
ReplyDeleteI'll bet she will love it! I wish I had read it much earlier myself. I really don't know why I never read it except that we sometimes assume that big thick "classic" books are boring. Maybe I had that idea in my head. If I did, I sure was wrong though! I hope you and your daughter enjoy your time together as well as the book. :)
ReplyDeleteWendy
Little Women is a great book! I remember, as a teenager, I read that book to myself, completely OUT LOUD. I wonder, looking back, if my parents thought I was crazy when they walked by my bedroom door and heard me reading out loud. It is just a book that demands to be read aloud, I think. I'm glad Mary Grace is enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteGracie and I are reading the 2nd Terrestria Chronicles book now. :)
You know, Heidi, I think you are right! It probably is best out loud. :) And I am reading the second Terrestria Chronicles book too, even though I need to be on about the 4th or 5th book!
ReplyDeleteThis is one that I read over and over. I never get tired of the book or movie. You have inspired me. I knew it would be on the Lit list for my children to read. Now I think I will read it to them first.:)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I have inspired you! You'll have to let me know how they like it. :) It has truly been a wonderful experience reading the book with my little girl. We both look forward to it every day. Though I am sorry that I never read the book before, it has been such fun reading it for the first time together too.
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