I did not have an opportunity to know my grandparents. So images of them are etched in black and white photographs, their journeys in life through political and economic turmoil recounted through stories and anecdotes passed from my parents to my seven siblings and me. My grandparents were remarkable people, and I wish I had known them.
In spite of the challenges they encountered, they were determined that their five children would be well versed in history, literature, music and their Irish heritage. They achieved their goals, in part, by sharing an oral history with their children, and by introducing them to books which fostered life long learning and a love of reading. My parents, in turn, experienced the same traditions and they became voracious readers, a gift then passed to my siblings and me.
I am a grandmother now to four grandchildren – a 14 1/2 year old who is wisely navigating her way through adolescence, a 10 year old who loves swimming, Lego, soccer and graphic novels, a 19 month old who charms with his intellectual curiosity, sense of humor, and contagious laugh, and a 10 month old whose sweet disposition and beautiful smile brighten my days. My grandchildren are gifts in my life.
Time with them certainly presents many special moments. Their presence in my life frequently moves me into a reflective stage as I remember my 3 daughters as little ones. As I look back over the years, vivid memories return as if I am watching a slow moving film.I particularly and fondly remember hearing little voices say, “mommy, please read to me. I love when you read to me.”
Trips to our local public library became embedded in our weekly routines, and my daughters had acquired their own library cards by the ripe old age of one month. Books abounded in our home, in the kitchen and living rooms, bedrooms, under the beds and sometimes in the bathtub! While I read to my daughters during the day, my favourite time for reading to them was at bedtime, a peaceful and comfortable time to cuddle and discover new words, characters, and adventures. My daughters also became voracious readers.
These three daughters grew into remarkable young women with children of their own, and they, in turn, have introduced their children to the public library, a veritable treasure trove of books. I hear them reading much loved titles – Goodnight Moon, The Dancing Class, Ten, Night, Eight, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, In the Night Kitchen, A Kiss for Little Bear and many more. I see a rekindling of memories of first books they encountered as young children. New memories to be created now and old memories to be enhanced. A rich heritage!
Reading to our children certainly provides a special time and space to enhance:
1. Bonding with our little ones, especially at bedtime
2. Literacy skills
3. Life long learning
4. New adventures, travels to faraway and new places, becoming “friends” with new characters discovered between the pages of books
The New Westminster Public Library provides a wealth of resources in a variety of formats, special collections, and knowledgeable librarians to assist you with reader’s advisory for all ages, and will share valuable tools to help your children get ready to read.
Check out the website and the Events Menu which will direct you to News and Events for Kids, Baby Book Kits, Children’s Collection and Children’s Display.