A Bookish Mother's Wish
I was absolutely inspired by Rebecca's (from 'the.bookplate') guest blog post for us when she wrote about her 'bookish mother's wish'. Holding a tiny newborn for the very first time can feel like the most wonderful thing in the world, but it can also place a heavy weight on your shoulders. "How will I raise you? How will I help you reach your dreams? How will I teach you to be a good person? What is a good person?" Ok, hormones are a bit out of whack and things are all a bit cloudy right after the baby is born but it stands true, months later, that I feel responsible for raising two little souls into good, responsible, loving and loved human beings. And of course, like Rebecca, I turn to books to help me do that.
I've started a wee list of 'Little Life Lessons' featuring books that help to share with my children what I want them to be, to believe and to place importance on. But I've decided to also write two blog posts, one to each child, sharing some of the books that will share some of the things I want them to understand and to know and to believe. I've split my list as they share age-appropriate books but also I want to share with them the things I want them to know right now.
As The Wee Page Turner is only 3 months old, there are only a few things he really really needs to know right now. But I still think he can learn some things from the stories we read.
To my darling boy,
The world is big and you are small. The world is fast and you are small. You are small. But you are getting bigger and fast! You are growing each day in front of our eyes. We enjoy watching you change and grow. Your grandparents visit you regularly and every time the utter the infamous "you're getting so big" and it's true. You are getting so big. When we read 'Me', I hope you will realise that the world is big but you (and your sister) are the biggest thing(s) in our world. You are our whole world.
I have no doubt that your first word will be "dada". Your sister's first word was. And it's no wonder. You have a wonderful dada who loves you so very much. He has huge depths of patience. He makes you laugh and smile. He holds you when you cry. He gently places you in bed when you are asleep. He looks after mama as I hold you in my arms. He held my hand as you were born. He gasped a huge sigh of love the moment he laid eyes on you. He tears himself away from us every day to go to work so we can have our lovely home, and do lovely things, and so I can spend my days with you. He is the best dada you could have. You should say his name first. I don't mind. Dada deserves it.
I love you little chap. I hope you will take these messages on board over the next months and years. And you will enjoy reading these stories. All my love, Mummy xx
I hope you enjoyed reading this post - it's a little different from my usual review posts. But these books share all these wonderful messages and they are all superb stories. With great illustrations. But mostly I wanted to share them with you because I share them with my family.
Thank you for reading, I'll share my 'Bookish Mother's Wish for BookBairn' soon but I need to take the time to select the books carefully.
Kim x
*Some of these books were sent to us by publishers for review and others are ones that we have borrowed from the library or purchased ourselves.
This is a beautiful, beautiful post and I love the books that you've chosen. I absolutely love 'Forever', it's a gorgeous book. I'm looking forward to seeing what you choose for BookBairn now :o)
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Thanks Catherine! I will need to take some real time to decide what to choose for BookBairn x
DeleteWhat a beautiful post about some beautiful books! I never really thought that much about the meaning of books when my kids were little (or now that they're big), I just wanted them to read books that were exciting, funny, well-written etc that they would enjoy. So that's been Harry Potter, Alex Rider, Jacqueline Wilson, Mr Gum, Jeremy Strong to name but a few.
ReplyDeleteYes books have to be good too as well as meaningful!
DeleteOh this is just one gorgeously wonderful and emotional post!! Thank you for sharing with #readwithme
ReplyDeleteThanks Chantelle! x
DeleteCrying big G'ma tears. What a wonderful achievement to capture love and bestow it in words. So proud of you, my darling child x
ReplyDeleteThank you! Each word was well considered. Love you very much x
DeleteYou've captured all my thoughts about you, your brother, your daughter and your son in some lovely words and what a great choice of books to form the words around. Love you all to bits (and Dada too).
ReplyDeleteThank you! Love you lots and glad you think I've summed that up well xx
DeleteWhat a wonderful post. Love your choice of books too.
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Thank you!
DeleteThis is such a lovely, heart-warming post - and some great book recommendations for little ones in there too! #KLTR
ReplyDeleteThank you! These books are just fab!
DeleteA beautiful and incredibly well written post. Xx
ReplyDeleteThank you! xx
DeleteThis is such a beautiful post, it brought a tear to my eye! What a gorgeous idea, I hope you carry on writing posts like this as your children get older. Looking forward to reading your one to Bookbairn #readwithme #KLTR
ReplyDeleteThank you! I've put myself under pressure to write a good one for BookBairn now too!
DeleteWhat a beautiful post. I love many of these books but a few are new to me. #kltr
ReplyDeleteSome are just classics! Others are quite new - if you've not discovered Emma Dodd yet you should definitely look up her books - they are beautiful!
DeleteMy goodness what a beautiful and touching post. There are some beautiful books there to choose from too. I really love Guess How Much I Love You. Thanks for linking up to #KLTR
ReplyDeleteThank you! Guess How Much I Love You is a brilliant book and loved by many!
DeleteThis is such a heartfelt post and so lovely. I am a huge fan of Guess How Much I love you. I have not read DADA.
ReplyDeleteI love Little Nutbrown Hare! And thank you!
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