Reading

The other night Ali had nothing to read. And she wanted to read because they are doing a monthly read-a-thon and she wanted the prize. She wanted to read Twilight. I said, "no." I think she needs to be much older for that even if all the other kids watched the movie and she is pretending to be Bella at school. So I suggested Harry Potter. I insisted it is grown-up and very good. She was not convinced and didn't want to do it. I finally insisted that she at least let me read the first chapter to her.



We cuddled up in her giant queen bed and read the first chapter. And I saw a light inside her mind click on. It has been a struggle to get her to read long books. She says she doesn't like to. She says it isn't fun. But I know it is and I am trying to convince her. I finished chapter one and kissed her good night. At night she has to be in bed but I allow her to read as long as she wants to. She read the first four chapters that night and finished the whole book within a week. Now she is on Year 2.

I read her a little each night but she reads most of it. She wears her own sorting hat pulled far down over her head while I read to her. That way she can see the pictures. I love Harry Potter. I love the pictures I see in my mind when I read it. I love the story and the make believe world they create that parallels our own. I love how it inspires kids to read everywhere. But most of all I love that Ali is loving reading it.