Why Children’s Books Are Fountains of Wisdom
“Miss Rumphius” taught me about humble acts of kindness.
As I prepare to give birth to my first child — a little girl — in June, one of the things I’m most looking forward to is reading books together.
I love the experience of being read aloud to. I love listening to someone else’s voice shape the words in a story and convey the feelings of its characters, while I relax my mind and allow my imagination to open and unfold, receiving the story like a flower receives a pollinator.
When I taught elementary school in my twenties, I greatly enjoyed reading aloud to my students. I’d make a point to have my class gather together on the rug, get cozy, and listen to a good story every day.
After reading a few chapters we’d often engage in thoughtful, emotional, and intellectual conversations. My little ones listened very carefully! They’d talk about their interpretations of the themes, characters, and imagery.
