Speak to Me
Do you think parents don't read to their kids anymore? It was interesting to see on Bookseller this morning that the titles chosen by Bookaboo have seen a rise in sales. Bookaboo is like a rock'n'roll Jackanory - celebrities reading picture books for children, but this time there's a sad puppy drummer who won't play without a story. He's lost his 'bojo' but books get it back.
As a parent you're glad for anything watchable - it's been rather funny watching Meatloaf cosying up to a depressed canine Axl Rose lookalike. I still associate him with 'Bat Out of Hell' - ever present in Dad's thundering old Cherokee in the 80's, but apparently he's a big advocate of reading to kids.
Maybe the household of a writer isn't typical but ours are read to - and read - every day. Sharing stories is one of the great pleasures - our little one still has a bedtime story and there is nothing like that combination of clean baby smell, glowstars and a quiet book to melt your heart. It's not going to last long, and I'm making the most of every moment. Maybe you remember being read to as a child? I recall winter evenings curled up on the floor of the library at school being read the Hobbit by our English teacher as completely spellbinding. Maybe it was that sense of magic - realising how much pleasure books can bring people, that made me want to be a writer.
A few of you have done book readings of your own work recently, and it would be interesting to hear more about how they went. Hearing prose or poetry read by the author is maybe the adult equivalent of Jackanory? Audio tapes, recitals, Radio 4 book readings - without distracting imagery all of these bring an extra dimension to the enjoyment of the written word. The amount of time I spend on the road ferrying the children around is made bearable by Stephen Fry's recording of Winnie the Pooh and a near worn-out copy of The Little Prince. To be honest, I don't know who enjoys them more ...
TODAY'S PROMPT: What are your memories of being read to? Which are your favourite books to share with your children? Is there really a problem with children not being read to enough? Storytelling is where writing and acting cross over. I remember a great poetry reading in the old gothic library at school during a power cut - the candlelight only added to the drama. Perhaps you read to your wife/husband/partner? Wouldn't that be a treat. Reading any work aloud changes it - have you tried reciting what you are working on at the moment? If not, why don't you try that today - you'll pick up glitches in rhythm, improved phrases will jump out at you. Reading books aloud is a pleasure that's not only for the kids.
