Childhood is too short....

Yesterday in class, we discussed the two types of Cinderella stories. As a class we decided that the two types were the classic Cinderella stories and the Catskin stories. I think that I have just recently realized that most fairytales, at least the ones that we have read in class, have two types or categories. As a child I read the stories that were the non-violent and non-perverted kind. I was really disturbed that incest could be included into a child’s fairy tale. I have to believe that the Catskin stories were geared toward another audience. I would at least hope that they were not written for young children. When I think of Cinderella, I see the magical fairytales, where the princess is saved by the heroic prince (the Disney version). I think by allowing children to read the classic version, rather than those of the Catskin, we allow children to keep their childhood innocence. I guess that I think that children today grow up too fast and that allowing them to read the stories that help them have vivid imaginations are much better than those which scare them into thinking that their father would want to marry them. I know that I dreamed of growing up and finding my prince that would sweep me off my feet and we would live happily ever after. I can’t imagine why anyone would want to take that dream away from a child.

Who Needs Third Grade?

Recently I read the book Who Needs Third Grade? by Candice F. Ransom. This book seemed somewhat comical to me at my age. As I look back at my own childhood, around third grade, I realize that this book was a pretty close example to the everyday life of a child at that age. In the book, Amber Cantwell is excited to start the third grade with her best friend Mindy by her side. When school starts, there is a new student named Delight Wakefield. She not only has a really cool name but she has the long hair that Amber wants and she starts her own lunch time club. As time passes, Amber quits third grade and by her request goes back to her beloved second grade teacher. She soon realized that second grade was not a fun as she had thought it would be. She returns to third grade, but has a huge fight with Mindy. The two stop talking and Mindy becomes friends with Delight. The planning for the school play soon begins. During a rehearsal, Amber is asked to help Delight with a head piece. Instead of helping her classmate, she cuts Delight’s hair out of jealously. In the end Amber apologizes to Delight for her actions. Mindy, Delight and Amber decide to start their own club, with three members.
This story proves that friend ships can grow and change over the years. I know that I have personally had friends that I have been close to for years, and then I have new ones that are special to me as well. We are able to act like the girls in the book and enjoy each other without jealousy being in the picture.

Old Books...Old Memories

This past weekend I was at my parent’s house, so I decided to go through some of my old books. My plan was to find a few books that I could read for my outside reading assignment, rather than buy new ones. I sat on the floor of our spare bed room and started going through the huge container of books that my mom had saved from my childhood. She always mentions that she is saving them for her grandchildren. As I started going through the books, I happened to remember old favorites that I had long forgotten. When I was younger, each night I would curl up in my parents bed, right in the middle of the two of them. Being an only child, I was luckily enough to have all the attention every night, and day for that matter. I would get to pick out a book for my mom to read, while my dad and I enjoyed. This weekend, the three of us reminisced about the stories that we had heard over and over again. I think I picked the same books every week, but my mom never complained. My dad commented this weekend that he may have never read the books but he had heard them way to many times. Although he acted like it was a chore he would have rather forgot, I know deep down it was a past time that he thoroughly enjoyed.

How Quickly Life Changes.....

My life is always full of activity. I work full time and am working hard to finish up classes at Texas A&M so that I can proudly walk across the stage and receive my diploma in May. I am also very busy planning my upcoming wedding, which will take place on July 12, 2008. As you can see my life is jammed packed with a variety of activities. Last night, however, it all seemed to come to a stop. My fiance got a call at work from his mom yesterday, asking him to come home as soon as possible. She has been having back and hip problems for the past year, even having two different surgeries. With all four of her children by her side, she informed them that the doctors thought that she had cancer. CANCER?? I just sit here trying to imagine how our lives are going to change because of this new news. At this point, I know from experience that we as a family have a long road ahead of us. I am glad that we are a close family that are willing to stand by her in this time of need. I have cried since I heard the news. My fiance on the other hand is the one who is being strong, comforting me through the whole situation. The first thing that she told him was how sorry she was that she was messing up our wedding by being sick. The only reason that it would mess it up for me is if she were not there to share in that day with us. I pray that the doctors found the problem early enough so that she can beat this and live many more years being the wonderful Grams that she is. Please keep my mother-in-law and the rest of my family in your prayers as we begin the journey of dealing with cancer.

Which fairy tale character would I be?

Today I started reading some books for my outside books assignments. These books made me start thinking about what it would be like to live in a fairy tale world and be a character in the story line. When you sit back and use you imagination you are able to picture yourself as part of these settings. In today’s society many children don’t read the classics that we did as children, instead they experience the violence from video games and television. I think that a child’s imagination is a horrible thing to waste. For me personally, it was fun to sit back and think what type of character I would have been if I had live in these books. I think that I would want the beauty of Cinderella, but would want Ella’s strength. I also think that the adventures of Hansel and Kirby (me) may have been a fun idea to explore.

Parent Screenings Important

As a child I grew up hearing a version of Little Red Riding Hood which had no references to the Wolf asking Red to burn her clothing or to join him in bed. The versions that were read in class are a new type of fairy tale to me. I feel that I was naive to the types of literature that was out there for children to read. I would never let my child read a story that I feel has many sexual references. In the version by Perrault, the moral of the story has clear reference that we as adults can see as a warning that not all men are as safe as they may seem (Tartar 11). The children who may have read that version of the story may not have understood the underlying meaning of it, but as adults we can see that the stories may not be a proper bedtime ritual for children. I feel that it is very important for parents to screen the literature that their children are reading to prevent their child from reading some of the more horrid versions of the classics that we enjoyed as children.

Welcome/Outside Readings

Welcome to my blog !!!

Outside Readings

Book #1
Title: Who Needs Third Grade?
Author: Candice F. Ransom
Picture Book: NO
Posting Date: 1/29/08

Book #2
Title: Shoebag
Author: Mary James
Picture Book: NO
Posting Date: 2/6/08

Book #3
Title: The story about Ping
Author: Marjorie Flack and Kurt Wiese
Picture Book: YES
Posting Date: 2/14/08

Book #4
Title: The Ghost Eye Tree
Author: Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
Picture Book: YES
Posting Date: 2/20/08

Book #5
Title: Henny Penny
Picture Book: YES
Posting Date: 2/26/08

Book #6
Title: Henry's Happy Birthday
Author: Holly Keller
Picture Book: YES
Posting Date: 3/4/08

Book #7
Title: Amelia Bedilia Helps Out
Author: Peggy Parish
Picture Book: NO
Posting Date: 3/19/08

Book #8
Title: Make Four Million Dollars by Next Thursday
Author: Stephen Manes
Picture Book: NO
Posting Date: 4/4/08

Book #9
Title: Karen's Grandmothers
Author: Ann M. Martin
Picture Book: NO
Posting Date: 4/8/08

Book #10
Title: Charlotte' Web
Author: E.B. White
Picture Book: NO
Posting Date:4/16/08