A Book is a Book

Our town celebrated Dr. Seuss' birthday today with a big party at our youth and family center.  Even though I was feeling less than stellar, I dragged myself off the couch and took the kids.  They were very excited and both stopped cold when they saw The Cat in the Hat waiting at the entrance.  Christian was in his walker, and we held up traffic for a little while before I could scoot him in and out of the way.  The kids made Lorax and Horton puppets, got their faces painted, were given goodie bags, listened to a reading of Green Eggs and Ham, and had cupcakes.  It was pretty awesome.  One of the best parts of the event was that our library was giving each child a free book.  My kids love books, they definitely got that from me, and they couldn't wait to pick out a new one.

I was kind of hoping that they were giving away Dr. Seuss books, but wasn't that surprised that they were mostly books based on movies and T.V. shows.  But a book is a book, no matter how commercialized (Just a little Dr. Seuss reference.)  Tessie picked a Scooby Doo Halloween book, and by some miracle, I noticed a comic book about The Incredibles, so Christian was ecstatic.  From the moment we got home, until it was time for dinner, the kids looked at their new books.  After bath time, I brought the kids down to sit next to the fire while I got them in pajamas.  Tes brought over their books, and they cozied up next to each other to read.

At first, Christian was just looking at the pictures, but when he noticed his sister "reading" out loud, he did the same.  They sat there, both describing their respective books, and occasionally looking over to see what the other one had, for about fifteen minutes.  I finally told them it was time to brush their teeth, and so they reluctantly put the books down.  They may not have been reading great literature, but that's not the point.  They both already have a great love for books and reading.  It is a love that I will support all their lives.  If they are anything like me, then I'm sure I will be telling them to turn off their lights at one in the morning, as they tell me they are just reading to the end of the chapter, for the tenth time.  I couldn't be happier, or prouder as I watched them tonight.  What a beautiful sight.