Background
I don’t read fiction as often as I once did, but in my childhood I often could be found reading during recess, seated on the asphalt by the school playground, or- in class with a book hidden behind my desk. Now, many years later, as the father of an eight-years-old daughter, I’ve been thinking a lot about those children’s books I once enjoyed as a child; and I’ve been purchasing some for her.
Anyway, some time ago, my wife purchased (among many other books in Russian) the Chronicles of Narnia. English, of course, is more prevalent in our daughter’s life, but it’s important to both her parents that she also be fluent in Russian. Therefore, despite the Chronicles of Narnia having been one of my own childhood favorites, I deliberately did not purchase them in the original English – because I want our child to practice her Russian.
However, another set of books that I immediately thought of, which I had absolutely adored as a boy, was the Chronicles of Prydain. So, a few months ago, I ordered these as much for myself as for my daughter and then started reading the first book for my own enjoyment.
Reading to my child
At first, upon seeing my pleasure, my child asked me to read the first book to her; but she tired of it (or maybe got distracted), and I ended up finishing that volume on my own. However, when she saw me eagerly reading the second volume, she once again asked me to read aloud to her; and, unexpectedly to me, she became deeply absorbed in the storyline and characters.
Following our completion of the second volume together, she started reading the first book on her own, and we continued reading the third book together, and then the fourth, and then the fifth , and now- a sixth book of short stories with background information. Suffice it to say that my daughter has really fallen in love with the Chronicles of Prydain!
A tender moment
One particularly tender moment came upon our completion of the fifth and final book of the series. Now… keep in mind that throughout the series, my daughter constantly laughed aloud at the characters’ jokes and sarcastic retorts; and she worried and cried at their misfortunes. That’s what I mean by saying that she really got into the Chronicles of Prydain.
So, when we reached the end of the fifth book, and some of the main characters permanently parted ways, my child was quite distraught. This was what I thought she was complaining about when she said, “What? No!”
However, much to my delight, she explained that what was most upsetting was that we had completed the entire series… that she would be parting with the characters herself. She even begged me to read all five of the volumes to her again; and, at her mother’s suggestion, decided to write a sixth book to continue the series (assigning me, of course, the role of ‘assistant author’)!
The Skeptic's Kaddish ๐ฎ๐ฑ 
That is really sweet and a beautiful memory. ๐
๐๐๐ป Maria ๐๐ป๐
Wow David! How wonderful! This is what is exactly meant by Life’s precious moments! โค
๐๐๐ป Harshi ๐๐ป๐ ~ exactly
That is the most adorable thing I have read in a long time.
I hate completing books too. I would read like a maniac until the last chapter, and the last chapter, I’d read one sentence a day or something. I am so thrilled to see someone else (even if pint-sized) like me. Yay, us.
๐๐๐ป Lakshmi ๐๐ป๐ ~ that’s so sweet
I’ve never heard of this book series so I’ll have to check it out. I read often to my two oldest nephews when they were young and they became big Tokien fans in the process. Reading to children is a really special bonding process and allows you to share your love for stories with them. Authors in the making, perhaps? ๐
๐ค๐๐ป Mike ๐๐ป๐ค ~ who knows?
I know how your daughter feelsโIโm sad when I come to the conclusion of a good series. Itโs like saying goodbye to dear friends.
๐๐๐ป Jai ๐๐ป๐
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This must make you happy David. Your daughter loved what you love in reading.
๐๐๐ป Sadje ๐๐ป๐ ~ I was SO happy
A proud moment for any father is to instill the love of reading in their children.
Those childhood books stick with us…my daughters and I spent part of the lockdown on zoom calls re-reading the entire “Swallows and Amazons” series to each other. It’s always sad when a series ends. Reading aloud is a pleasure, no matter the age. (K)
๐ค๐๐ป Kerfe ๐๐ป๐ค
What a time for you to spark, develop, and share your daughter’s joy!
โค๏ธ๐๐ป Robert ๐๐ปโค๏ธ ~ it is indeed!
A delightful post! ๐ It is hard to leave a good book/series. I love your wife’s suggestion! ๐๐ป๐
๐งก๐๐ป Michele ๐๐ป๐งก ~ me too!
Sometimes us grownups have similar reactions. ๐
๐ค
Oh I love it David..how wonderful..you have such a Reader!!!! Mashallah. “Really into a book” is one of the very best places to be:)
๐๐๐ป Karima ๐๐ป๐ ~ I know!
‘ can just see you sitting on the pavement, near but not too close to the playground, as a youngster, reading ๐ค
๐๐๐ป Barbara ๐๐ป๐ ~ the good old days
tender and loving sentiments.. enjoy every minuted David!
๐๐๐ป Cindy ๐๐ป๐
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