Tuesday, March 04, 2008

childhood magic

I absolutely loved reading this post by Chris the other day about his favorite books. Not titles, but the actual, physical books. And I have since enjoyed everyone's corresponding posts. I didn't write such a post though, because I thought that I didn't actually get attached to books so much as to the stories they contained. But then it hit me this morning, as I started work on a new, very neurotic project (I'll probably post about that in a day or two), that there is a set of books that I am extremely attached to. They no longer belong to me though; I'd given them to Annie.

This set of red books. Called The Children's Hour. From my childhood. Oh, how I loved these books! I spent countless hours reading these. Some stories I would read just once, while some I would read over and over and over again.



One of the stories I read time and time again was The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams. I bought a Golden Book copy of this book for Annie when she was little, but she just never loved it like I did. I don't think I've ever read it to the boys, and I really do need to remedy that. (I'm guessing Max won't like it, but Gray just might.)

Anyway, when I heard about Becky's Heart of a Child reading challenge, I knew The Velveteen Rabbit would definitely be one of my choices. It's the very first book that I can remember loving like this. And when I learned over at Nymeth's that this week is Read an E-Book Week, I decided to see if The Velveteen Rabbit was available on-line. And, of course, it is (otherwise I wouldn't have mentioned it)...right here...in case you'd like a chance to revisit a childhood classic.

I must say, when I read it again this morning, I was every bit as enchanted by it as I ever was. It's such a sweet magical tale about the power of love.

10 comments:

Dawn said...

Isn't it amazing that some of our childhood memories are so strong! I feel that way about Charlotte's Web. My other very strong memory is my mother reading nursery rhymes to me! Nothing is so wonderful as childhood memories that still touch you!

take care,
Dawn

Ana S. said...

I'm so glad you decided to do a post on this too. That's such a neat looking collection of book! They look so great on the shelf!

There's nothing like the joy of revisiting a childhood favourite and discovering it still holds as much charm as it once did.

kreed said...

I LOVED the Velveteen Rabbit...one of my very favorites. And the new book by Kate DiCamillo (The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane) is sort of in the same vein. Not as good of course, but I liked it.

Debi said...

Kara,
Rich got me The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane for my birthday, but I haven't gotten to it yet...more anxious than ever after your comments!

Melody said...

What a nice collection of books, Debi! I used to read a lot of Nancy Drews' during my childhood days, but because they were all library books so I didn't have my copy, but I'm starting to buy a few lately so I hope I'll have a nice collection in the near future! ;P

Thanks for bringing up the sweet memories! :D

Kim L said...

I remember really loving The Velveteen Rabbit, what a sweet, gentle tale.

What a great collection!

Anonymous said...

those kids books can really hold such magic...

Stacy at Exceedingly Mundane said...

What an awesome photo and a great set of books. I know Annie must treasure them :) How wonderful to share your memories and the actual books with her!

gail@more than a song said...

I love The Velveteen Rabbit too! And love to give it as a newborn gift sometimes. I have lots of my old Nancy Drew books from childhood and one of my girls wants them one day.

chrisa511 said...

I used to LOVE The Velveteen Rabbit :) And I loved Little Golden Books...I lost all of mine when our house flooded :( But we had so many. Great post Debi!