Sunday 4 March 2012

The Romance of Reading

I have many things to be thankful to my Mum for, being able to knit, my love of sewing and all things crafty, being able to trim my own fringe and knowing how to colour my hair to cover those greys........but something I really appreciate is my love of reading.

As a child I have memories of Saturday afternoon trips to the library or spending my pocket money in the local book shop buying an Enid Blyton Secret Seven to add to my collection. I also spent my pocket money on buying Matchbox cars but that's another story.
I recently bought some secondhand childrens books. The covers in themselves attracted to me but the title also caught my eye. The Romance of Reading. I sent one of the books, Happy Hours to Julie as I knew she'd love it too. I kept Merry Moments and when I flicked to the back of the book I found a school stamp. The very same primary school that my Mum went to. Did she read this book I wondered?
Click on picture for a clearer view
I'd started thinking about how lucky I was to have someone who encouraged me to read from an early age when I saw a news item this week. A survey has recently been carried out which found that 1 in 8 children had never been inside a book shop, 1 in 5 had never received a book as a present and 1 in 3 lived in a house in which there are no books. It saddened me to think that there will be a whole generation of children who grow up without knowing how much simple pleasure there is in reading a book. I must be getting old!

So when my Mum recently asked me what I wanted for my birthday you won't be suprised to hear that I asked for a book to add to my already bursting collection.

26 comments:

Miriam said...

The Romance of Reading, what a brilliant title and how extraordinary to find the stamp in Merry Moments...another great title. Lovely Story, thanks for sharing.

Wanda said...

I agree with you about the importance of reading, especially for children. For landlocked children like we were, it was a way of transporting ourselves to places far and wide and learning how other people lived their lives. Fascinating then, fascinating now. And what about the wonderful musty smell of a library?

Anonymous said...

Lovely story. Brilliant title (as always!). What a coincidence about the school stamp! Beautiful LO - love all the layers and circles and different colours! And is that a photo of a little you? Was amazed, and saddened, by those facts. Never been in a book shop? No books in the house? Poor things.

Abi said...

This is beautiful. I love reading and it was sad to see those facts. The smell and feel of a new book cannot be beaten!

Gem's Crafts said...

What a coincidence finding the school stamp in the second book. I've loved reading since I was very little and I'm hoping my daughter will love it too. She's only 5 weeks old and we've already started reading her stories :)

ForgedinPaper said...

I love this LO with all the bits and pieces it's really nice.

Ladkyis said...

perhaps with the advent of the Kindle and other eReaders there will be an upsurge in reading. I know that having a kindle has increased the time my husband spends reading and that can only be good.

Lou said...

what a lovely coincidence Amanda, it is important for children to enjoy books too. I know mine do.

Julie Kirk said...

do you know what's just as scary / sad? How many Uni students don't want to read *anything* they're meant to! I despair some days [and then rant to J about it after work].

My parents instilled a love of books in me too and although Dad always gives Mam all the credit for reading to us from being tiny -it was both of them really. Books were normal. Part of the furniture.

Your page is lovely Amanda - and I had goosebumps reading how you found the school stamp.

And thank you, again.

Julie :-)

Sian said...

Amanda, what a really lovely story this is - you know how much I love that kind of coincidence! and what a beautiful layout too, it's all pretty and thoughtful. Thanks for joining in with this month's Storytelling with a story about stories

Alana said...

Being an avid reader and book lover myself it saddens me too when kids or adults don't want to read. Loved your story and layout, such happy memories:)

furrypig said...

great story but I really find it hard to believe that 1 in 3 children don't have books in their home that is apalling! Gorgeous LO

scrappyjacky said...

I loved The Secret Seven as well....though The Famous Five were my favourites.I spent so many happy hours at the library....and reading is still one of my greatest pleasures.

Ruth said...

I can't imagine a life without books. The first time I went to my husband's house (when he was my boyfriend), I looked for books ~ I knew if he had them, we'd get along fine. And I'm pleased to say that The Boy Child seems to have inherited our love of the written word.

Sabrina DS said...

Hi,
I truly loved your story. You were a lucky child. I hope I'll instill this love of reading one day. I'm like you, books are my best friends.
Cheers from France.

Sandra said...

Oh Amanda, I've adored ending this; you're a credit to your mum with ll your creative talented :).

I do love that layout too

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

This is a great story, Amanda, and I love your layout to go with it.

Those statistics are very sad indeed...I just can't imagine. I started reading to Carrie when she was an infant, and I know that's one of the reasons she loves books so much now that she's an adult.

alexa said...

That's a lovely page, Amanda - and how special to find the connection with your Mum inside the book! I echo all your thoughts about reading: we're bookworms here too. :)

Amy said...

Gosh, I wonder if it were one she had read?!Books are my favourite presents to give!

Irene said...

Wonderful story and photographs. What a find... and the stamp. You have captured it all so beautifully in your layout.

Jo said...

I love this story and I know exactly what you mean. There is nothing nicer than a full bookcase with even more books stacked at the side. I have one and, thankfully, so does my teenage daughter. Children who can't read are really missing out.

Fiona@staring at the sea said...

How lovely to think your mother may have read that book as a child. The thought that 1 in 3 children live in homes totally devoid of books has saddened me deeply. I read to my children from the time they were babies and they both share my love of books.

Sarah H said...

I can't imagine a home without books - how sad for those children. I wonder if they have ever even been read a bedtime story?
Gorgeous layout and lovely finds :-)

Amy said...

Reading this made me incredibly happy! I too read that article and was shocked enough to prompt a blog post on the importance of reading (http://amycard.blogspot.com/2011/12/you-cant-beat-good-book.html if you're interested) I love the smell of old books, you got some great finds there. Thanks so much for sharing!

Glen said...

Spooky Amanda...when my 3 girls were little, I would buy them books to read and the most were by Enid Blyton. *Ü* They all enjoy reading books now. Then when I finished work on a Friday, I would take my eldest daughter - then aged 4, to the toy shop where she would choose her weekly Matchbox car! *Ü* She had/has quite a collection. A lovely story of yours and beautiful layout. TFS. ~Glen~

Unknown said...

What a coincidence that was! I love to read and all but one of my children also love to read. I am still working on it with the youngest :)