“It is what you read when you don’t have to that determines what you will be when you can’t help it.”
― Oscar Wilde
I want to tell you the story of my eldest child, whom I’ve watched adore books longer than anyone else I know. Forty years ago, when Susan was an infant not more than 6 months old, we’d put her in the playpen to entertain herself with toys and cloth books. She would literally chew the pages. Then we gave her board books with stiff pages that she quickly learned to turn, one by one, as she’d seen us do when we read to her. For her second Christmas, my husband bought her a phonics cassette tape with a workbook. Before she turned three years old, she was sounding out words. By the time she was four, she was reading chapter books like James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl. I’m not joking – we have it on video. When she was older and I found her getting behind in her chores, I tried to take away her reading privileges by turning her bookshelf toward the wall. That was not very effective, as there were things to read all over the house. And someone was always reading.
Susan was an excellent student and competed in Spelling Bees and Scholastic Bowls throughout her schooling. She eventually got a Master’s degree in Linguistics. When she was planning her wedding, she decided to make all of the flowers for the tables at the reception out of old paperback books.
Her best friend since grade school is an elementary school music teacher. Susan is a favorite Auntie to her friend’s children; I caught her one Christmas sharing one of her favorite picture books.
When she visited me in Oregon during the pandemic, we had to visit Powell’s bookstore in Portland. I love to watch her get enthusiastic over almost every title she sees.
scillagrace 
Those paper flowers for the wedding were such a cool idea – and wow. your daughter really does love books and all things language – also, this is the second time today I have seen someone mention Powell’s bookstore in Portland…. I need to check it out sometime
Powell’s is legendary. 🙂
🙂
What a beautiful, touching tribute to Susan. From cloth books to crafted paper flowers, her journey with books feels like a lifelong love letter to learning.
It’s clear her empathy and brilliance were nurtured not just by family, but by every page she turned.
Love the ‘paper flower’!
Thanks! Yes, a love letter to learning – I like that!
It’s great when children start reading going. I read from a very early age and can’t imagine never reading.
One of my other kids once asked me, “Mom, once you learn to read, can you ever NOT read something you see written?” I have to say, I don’t think you can block it out. That door is open forever, so I hope my kids are choosing wisely what printed things to look at. 😉
What a beautiful and very deserving tribute to your daughter! You and your late husband certainly were instrumental in her appreciation of books. Excellent post, Priscilla.
Thanks, Egidio! 🙂
I love this story about your daughter’s love of reading. The paper flowers made from paper back book pages are so creative!
Thanks!
What a beautiful, touching tribute to Susan, and love shines through to your daughter and the love for books. Take credit for introducing your Susan to books 🙂
Thanks, Ritva. I suppose that’s one of the great joys of parenting, introducing a child to books. 🙂
Yes it is 🙂 I still have some of the book we read to our boys.
This is such a wholesome and lovely post 🖤. Just like your daughter, I also have a passion for reading. Reading books is a magical and powerful experience that I can’t get sick of.
The paperback flowers are adorable!!
Thank you for your visit – enjoy your reading!
Well Priscilla your last paragraph says it all. What could be a better testament to the magic of books.
Thanks, Tina, it is truly a kind of magic!