Stacey Loscalzo

Nov 05

Reading Together, Finally

by Stacey

IMG_3701Last week something amazing happened.

Caroline checked out the book, Because of Mr. Terpupt, from the library. I have been meaning to read this book for ages now so I suggested that I would read it too. As soon as the words were out of my mouth I wished I could put them back in because I could already imagine Caroline’s reply. She finds everything I do right now to be incredibly embarrassing so I thought for sure that co-reading would be a no-go. Surprisingly, she readily agreed.

On the first day, she told me what page she had read to so I could catch up while she was at school. And then she finished the book the next day while I was cooking dinner. So maybe co-reading wasn’t exactly what happened. It turns out that ten years olds have a lot more time to read than their mothers do but I did finish the book the next day.

As a result of this lucky turn of events, I learned some ready interesting things.

1. I don’t want to give away too much of the story but there is a super sad part of the story and some touchy subjects. We were able to talk about these things in the context of the book in a way that we wouldn’t have been able to talk about them without the story as a backdrop.

2. Caroline always reads the last sentence first. She really hates surprises and I guess this is her way to make sure that she has a sense of what is coming. This might explain why she doesn’t like reading mysteries and why she loves to re-read.

3. Caroline likes to alternate between difficult and fluffy reading. There is a sequel to Mr. Terput so in my excitement, I suggested that we read that next book. Caroline was quick to tell me that she wasn’t ready to do that yet. She said she needed to read something light next. Maybe even something she had already read.

If any of you have been lucky enough to have an experience like this, I’d love to hear what you have learned along the way.

11 Comments

  1. What a cool experience — I can’t wait till my boys are old enough to read with me.  I like to alternate serious and fluffy books, too.  =)

  2. Kristen says:

    I’m so looking forward to the day when I can do this with my daughter (she’s 6 now). It’s so funny that your daughter likes to read the last sentence first. I used to do that all the time too, but recently I realized I had stopped doing that a few years ago. I guess when you get closer to 40 it’s harder to be surprised anymore. Also, love that your cat is enjoying the time too–they both look so cozy! 🙂

    • Stacey says:

      I can’t believe there are other ‘last line readers’ out there! I have never even thought to do it. I love learning about others reading habits- so interesting!!

  3. Jen Robinson says:

    Neat! I look forward to such experiences. I have a friend who read along with her daughter for years (though she couldn’t keep up, of course). Today, her daughter is in her top-choice college, and they can still talk about books. Glad you’re enjoying!

  4. Shana Norris says:

    I do the same thing as Caroline with alternating between fluffy and heavier reads.  Sometimes I just need that break if I’ve gotten really involved in a tense, emotional story.

    I co-read books with my oldest daughter and we both loved it.  There is so much amazing young adult literature available now that I loved having the excuse to dig into it.  Not that I needed an excuse, but you know … so many books, not enough time.  Reading books with her was the impetus I needed to put those YA books at the top of my to-read list.

    My 8 year-old and I read chapter books aloud together but we’re not yet at the point where we read them separately then come together to talk about them.  I’m looking forward to that!

    • Stacey says:

      I love YA! I am reading middle grade books right now and they are awfully good too! Sometimes reading these types of books will ‘ruin’ grown up books for me for a while… 

  5. Melinda Sohval says:

    When Sophie was Caroline’s age a few moms and I formed a mother daughter book group that lasted for a few years. Perhaps you might want to do the same thing. We alternated between the moms and the girls choosing the book.

    • Stacey says:

      I love that you and Sophie did this! I keep suggesting it to Caroline but so far she doesn’t want to to do. I also like the fact that you alternated between moms and the girls choosing- a really good way to get some balance in the books. 

  6. Kim says:

    This is so interesting. You have me looking forward to the time when I will be doing this with my little man.

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