by

The Miracle of Reading

pixabay

I had another post prepared for today… but then a miracle happened…

I showed up at Tornado Boy’s house for two days of “Grammy Time.” Kindergarten doesn’t kick off until Tuesday and preschool ended early, leaving mom and dad in a lurch. When I walked in the door, I received my usual whirlwind of hugs, but the first question out of the tornado’s mouth was, “Do you want me to read a book to you?”

Not Legos, no request to build a spaceship or visit the park, no plea to use his old grammy as a jungle-gym. Nope.

“Do you want me to read a book to you?”

“Why, sure,” I replied, fully expecting a play by play narration through a picture book or a four-pager of his own creation.

I sat on the couch, and he climbed up beside me, tucked in tight, and opened Dr. Seuss’s Hop on Pop. Then page by page, he read me the entire book.

As I listened, I saw the world open up to him, a new superpower revealed, a lifetime of learning and adventure, of Treasure Island and Harry Potter, of Vonnegut and Cussler, Tolkien and Homer. He read to me slowly, sounding out the words, and he didn’t want my help when he got stuck. He was reading, and he too knew that something momentous was happening. He too recognized the magic in the letters and their sounds.

Just ask Jennie Fitzkee (A Teacher’s Reflections) about the power of reading aloud. We’ve read to Tornado Boy since the day he was born, and the local library has become a place of endless exploration. It’s paid off as another child discovers a world of imagination within his grasp, the miracle of words.

Grammy was so happy she could have cried. Then we played Legos, built a spaceship, went to the park, and wrestled. And he read Hop on Pop to me two more times.

Some favorite quotes about reading:

A book is a gift you can open again and again. —Garrison Keillor

To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark. —Victor Hugo

Books are a uniquely portable magic. —Stephen King

I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. —Anna Quindlen

Wear the old coat and buy the new book. —Austin Phelps

I have always imagined that paradise will be a kind of library. —Jorge Luis Borges

Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read. —Groucho Marx

 

212 thoughts on “The Miracle of Reading”

  1. The Miracle of Reading — Myths of the Mirror – SEO says:
    January 7, 2019 at 3:49 pm

    […] via The Miracle of Reading — Myths of the Mirror […]

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Let's Talk About: Personal Development says:
    November 11, 2018 at 10:24 am

    Thank you for sharing this. I absolutely love hearing about a young mind, like a sponge, absorbing the new information. It is clear that he can see what can be done with reading. Readers are leaders. 🙂 – Letstalkaboutpersonaldevelopment.blog

    Liked by 1 person

  3. timecrawlerblog says:
    November 7, 2018 at 6:35 am

    Reading is a good companion. I am impressed with that boy. I started with bedtime stories reading to my son and whenever we are out in a bookstore he would be on his shelf getting his own pick like he was getting a toy.

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      November 7, 2018 at 6:52 pm

      I think that kids are just naturally fascinated by books and stories. It’s in our DNA. 🙂 Enjoy reading with your son. It’s a miracle and the key to future success. ❤

      Like

  4. Book Review: Atonement in Bloom | Myths of the Mirror says:
    October 27, 2018 at 8:29 am

    […] can also visit Teagan at: Amazon  Twitter Facebook Pinterest YouTube […]

    Liked by 1 person

  5. mrsbroon says:
    October 2, 2018 at 1:43 pm

    Beautiful post. My daughter is almost 6, she has had a lot of speech issues but reading out loud and together has helped her immensely. Seeing her pleasure and excitement using this amazing skill of reading and seeing her imagination coming to life is such a joy. It’s lovely to read about others sharing the same joy. Thank you😊

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      October 3, 2018 at 12:13 pm

      How wonderful that you found such an amazing way to not only improve her speech but broaden her imagination. Her little mind must light up and what a gift to enjoy reading. I’ll bet singing with her is also tons of fun. Good for you, mom. You’re setting her up for success. ❤

      Liked by 1 person

      • mrsbroon says:
        October 4, 2018 at 12:07 am

        Thank you so much. We have so much fun reading and singing. We have so many silly songs which brings us both so much joy. You will probably agree that look on their little faces when stories are brought to life is just priceless. Wish I could bottle that look up 😍

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Silent Hour says:
    October 2, 2018 at 3:01 am

    Delightful post! We’d be so poor without books!

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Anonymous says:
    September 30, 2018 at 1:04 am

    What a wonderful morning it was for me to read this post!
    I was born wanting to read! At least this is how it manifested itself when I was four or five. I took from a shelf an old book and asked my parents to teach me to read. It happened to be a German Language textbook. Surprisingly, it evoked all-consuming love not only to reading but also to the German language (My mother’s language is Russian).

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      September 30, 2018 at 2:06 pm

      That’s such a great story. Books are like magic portals, aren’t they? Kids’ imaginations are so vivid that it makes complete sense that they would perceive reading as a key to the world of stories. I’m not surprised that your first experience reading also made you fall in love with the language. Thanks for the wonderful comment and Happy Reading. 🙂

      Like

  8. jenanita01 says:
    September 30, 2018 at 12:59 am

    Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. House of Heart says:
    September 29, 2018 at 5:51 pm

    Truly delightful !

    Liked by 2 people

  10. frenchc1955 says:
    September 29, 2018 at 5:47 pm

    Reblogged this on charles french words reading and writing and commented:
    This is a wonderful post I just found!

    Liked by 2 people

  11. patriciaruthsusan says:
    September 18, 2018 at 5:32 am

    Reblogged this on Musings on Life & Experience and commented:
    Learning to read.

    Liked by 2 people

  12. thebookwormdrinketh says:
    September 11, 2018 at 7:47 am

    What a wonderful story!!! I’m so happy he’s discovered reading. He didn’t just discover a “whole knew world” he discovered MANY!! 💖💖

    Liked by 2 people

  13. Vashti Q says:
    September 9, 2018 at 3:50 am

    Lovely post, Diana. It is always exciting when a child learns to read. Even a tornado can have a calming moment. 😉 Some of my favorite quotes there at the end. 😀 xx

    Liked by 2 people

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      September 9, 2018 at 9:06 am

      Thanks, Vashti. Reading is very calming for the Tornado. It’s kind of nice to have those moments when we aren’t running or chasing or wrestling and can cuddle. I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. Happy Reading!

      Liked by 2 people

  14. Sarah says:
    September 9, 2018 at 3:06 am

    Such a wonderful special moment, Diana! And thank you so much for sharing it with us. There’s so much magic to be found when a child discovers the world of the written world, I still know how it felt for me, like I could travel the world, conquer the unknown, ride on dragons… there was no limit to the world! And every time I open a book it’s just the same – endless wonder. 😄
    Love the quotes, especially the one by Phelps.😊❤

    Liked by 2 people

  15. America On Coffee says:
    September 8, 2018 at 12:30 pm

    I know this feeling of love and sharing so well.

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      September 8, 2018 at 7:23 pm

      I’m so glad this mirrors your experience. How wonderful. I hope that most grandparents, parents, and children have these warm moments of joy and wonder around books. Thanks so much for stopping by to read. 🙂

      Like

  16. Teri Polen says:
    September 7, 2018 at 10:27 am

    Diana, this is wonderful! I could have cried myself – such a wondrous world has opened up for him, and it will literally change his life.

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      September 7, 2018 at 10:38 am

      Thanks, Teri. It was pretty amazing. I know that all (most) kids learn to read, but to see the excitement as all the little black marks on the page suddenly were imbued with meaning was truly magical. It was like we’d poured magic dust on the pages and they starting speaking. Ha ha. Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a great weekend. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  17. EvelynKrieger says:
    September 6, 2018 at 4:16 pm

    A celebratory milestone, indeed. Some quotes I like are: “A book is a dream you hold in your hands.” —Neil Gaiman.”The unread story is not a story; it is little black marks on wood pulp. The reader, reading it, makes it live: a live thing, a story.” —Ursula K. Le Guin By the way, you might like my Summer Book Bucket idea for kids. I wrote about it in a blog post called, Summer’s Swan Song.

    Liked by 2 people

  18. Sean P Carlin says:
    September 6, 2018 at 1:14 pm

    This is not only a joyous anecdote about witnessing a young mind fall under the spell of reading, but it is an important reminder to all of us in the Information Age to read more carefully, even if that means reading less material. Great share, Diana!

    Liked by 2 people

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      September 6, 2018 at 2:47 pm

      Thanks for visiting, Sean. 🙂 I imagine that most lifelong readers fell in love with books as a child and it’s up to adults to create the opportunity. I was wondering about you and your blogging absence. Hopefully that’s a sign of immense creativity going on. 🙂 Thanks for visiting, as always.

      Liked by 1 person

  19. memadtwo says:
    September 6, 2018 at 8:54 am

    That is indeed a magical moment! (K)

    Liked by 1 person

  20. Jina Bazzar says:
    September 6, 2018 at 1:57 am

    I left a comment here yesterday but it seems like spam is hoarding my comments again.
    So, again, while i was reading your post, i was thinking about my own kids. My family isn’t the reading type – i’ve always been the anomaly – and now my oldest, whose about to turn 12, doesn’t like to read one bit, but my two youngest, six and four are showing promise.
    I could see my daughter on your tornado, and you’re one lucky grammy.

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      September 6, 2018 at 8:50 am

      I’ll have to check my spam folder, Jina. I’m sorry that it grabbed your comment – annoying huh? But thanks for trying again. 😀 I didn’t start enjoying reading until I was about 12 and read The Hobbit… so it’s never too late. And I know tons of people who were hooked by Harry Potter. Your oldest may not have found the right book yet to light the imagination on fire, though if anyone reads your book – that will surely do it! Happy Writing. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Jonathan Scott Griffin says:
    September 5, 2018 at 8:08 pm

    Books are mirrors into our souls, bringing to surface our innermost desires and fears. There have been books that have been written as though they were specifically with me in mind. I know this is absurd. But if you write a book, you are inadvertently going to write someone’s life story in a realistic manner or the fantastical manner of symbolism and archetypes. You may very well get a “thank you for telling my story,” from a reader.

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      September 6, 2018 at 8:41 am

      It’s not absurd at all, Jonathan. There are books that change our lives just because we read them at exactly the right time that we needed them. Those are the one’s we remember and love for our whole lives. Great comment! Thanks so much for stopping by. 🙂

      Like

  22. A French Note says:
    September 5, 2018 at 5:53 pm

    Thank you Diana for this beautiful piece of writing. Very interesting it was! You bring to us mothers moments that are special. It is great to remember when we read books to our kids and how they also read stories to their mum. I still remember those days, as if it was only yesterday. I am glad to hear that you had some special moments with your grandson, aren’t they smart and clever? You reminded me of something I should write about, and share the pictures when my girl was young. Diana without you some of the things would be kept as “forgotten.” Thank you so much for this post. Have a nice weekend!

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Robert Matthew Goldstein says:
    September 5, 2018 at 12:04 pm

    I loved ‘seeing and hearing’ your grandson read to you. This is the kind of moment both of you will remember for the rest of your lives. Thanks for sharing it, Diana.

    Liked by 1 person

  24. Daniela Ark says:
    September 5, 2018 at 10:42 am

    Nothing like reading to your kids to bond with them! Those have been my favorite moments with my kids! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      September 5, 2018 at 1:58 pm

      They are wonderful moments, Daniela. And not only are they beneficial now, but the kids will carry those memories into their futures and likely read to their children. It’s truly momentous. Thanks for stopping by and Happy Reading!

      Liked by 1 person

  25. Lynz Real Cooking says:
    September 4, 2018 at 5:48 pm

    Yah!

    Liked by 1 person

  26. Jacob C. Edwards says:
    September 4, 2018 at 5:33 pm

    I’ve always had a few books that I’ve held onto and read in different periods of my life. I think that the great thing about reading is that while you experience more things in life, you can relate to books differently. When I settle down and have kids I definitely want them to experience reading to the fullest.

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      September 4, 2018 at 5:56 pm

      What a great comment. So true. There’s nothing better than reading a book at just the right time in your life, where it resonates and feels life changing. Those are the books that stay with us forever. It’s a blast to reread the old favorites to your kids – like living the magic over again. Thanks for the visit and have a great week. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  27. Ellen Morris Prewitt says:
    September 4, 2018 at 6:42 am

    Ah, how wonderful! Our son texted last week that his oldest is reading books now. It was a stunning statement (2 weeks into first grade, only 2 weeks from our last seeing him.) I can’t wait to experience this with him.

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      September 4, 2018 at 9:32 am

      Yay! Isn’t it amazing, Ellen? It really is fast like that. All the black shapes on the page suddenly make sense, and then there’s no stopping those little brains from plowing ahead. Just wait until your grandchild proudly reads to you…. it’ will knock your socks off with pleasure. Thanks for the visit and Happy Reading!

      Liked by 1 person

  28. heylookawriterfellow says:
    September 4, 2018 at 6:02 am

    Aw. This post gave me the warm squishiest inside.

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      September 4, 2018 at 9:28 am

      Oh, good. It was a wonderful moment seeing the sparks light up in his head. I started reading Prince Not So Charming to him, and he isn’t quite old enough yet, though he loved every mention of boogers. Ha ha. I loved it. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  29. Damyanti Biswas says:
    September 4, 2018 at 12:51 am

    You’re one lucky grammy and he’s one lucky grandson.

    Your post made me tear up a little.

    Liked by 1 person

  30. cath says:
    September 4, 2018 at 12:49 am

    How lovely… as you say, Magic.

    Liked by 1 person

  31. Julie Holmes, author says:
    September 3, 2018 at 6:41 pm

    This is precious, Diana! There’s something about listening to a child read when you’ve been reading to him. It’s like something clicks, and they realize they don’t need your help to explore books. You must have had a wonderful couple of days with Tornado Boy. Have a great week!

    Liked by 1 person

  32. Joanne Sisco says:
    September 3, 2018 at 2:57 pm

    I love this so much! It pains me when I hear about people who don’t read or even worse, can’t read. They’ve never learned to tap into the magic. I’m thrilled for both you and Tornado Boy that he’s discovered the magic 💕

    Liked by 1 person

  33. Cheryl Sonnier says:
    September 3, 2018 at 2:49 pm

    What a wonderful moment, beautifully told. 😊

    Liked by 1 person

  34. ParentingIsFunny says:
    September 3, 2018 at 2:31 pm

    So wonderful! A new world(s) awaits him indeed.

    Liked by 1 person

  35. Elisabet says:
    September 3, 2018 at 4:53 am

    Love this, I have been rediculed for always carrying a book in my pocket and spending my allowance on books in my young years (7-14), then always asked for bookstore gift card… now my kindle is abused with its memory but I always enjoy the real thing a book in hand, a cup of tea and s coner to travel with my mind in those clouds of mine xx

    Liked by 1 person

  36. ljshouse2015 says:
    September 2, 2018 at 10:50 pm

    What a great post! He is so lucky. And I particularly like the Anna Quindlan quote.

    I remember in first grade being so excited when we copied a short exercise off the board and then read it as a group, and I thought, “Wow! I am reading!” and was so excited.

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      September 3, 2018 at 1:02 pm

      Isn’t that a beautiful quote? One of my favorites too. How wonderful that you remember that first experience of reading. It’s a lifelong source of joy. Thanks for the visit and have a wonderful week!

      Like

  37. Mary J. McCoy-Dressel says:
    September 2, 2018 at 3:18 pm

    What a sweet Grammy time you had with Tornado Boy. So happy for another child to discover reading. I love all the quotes. The one by Victor Hugo sure fits your post. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

    Liked by 1 person

  38. Val Boyko says:
    September 2, 2018 at 9:03 am

    What a wonderful discovery, beautifully captured. Thanks for the smile and sharing the wonder 💕

    Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.