Turning a Page

I remember lying in my bed reading Little Women the night before I went to college . Little Women is a "comfort" book for me, as much as mashed potatoes are a comfort food. I called out to my mother that maybe I had made a mistake and I should stay home. She reminded me to set my alarm clock because we were leaving early in the morning.

Tonight I am wandering around looking for a copy of Little Women. Today I dropped my older daughter off at college. As we drove away and I saw her standing on the sidewalk holding a bag of hangers, I thought, "Wait....I'm not done." But while I hope to have many years of parenting ahead of me, there is a part of my job with Rachel that is done. Today she turned a page in her life.

Since she and many of her friends practically grew up at The Open Book, I have been thinking alot about the books that have defined their childhood years and the lessons they might have learned from the pages they have turned.

One of the first children's events that we celebrated at The Open Book was the birthday of Ludwig Bemelman's Madeline. We had cake and took pictures with a giant Madeline doll and read the book over and over again. By the end of the day I could chant by heart, "In an old house in Paris that was covered in vines, lived twelve little girls in two straight lines....." I have always loved Madeline because although she is the smallest, she is brave and plucky and joyful.

Picture books gave way to chapter books and for the kids that are going off to college this year, that meant The Magic Tree House series. I still love to recommend this series to early readers. Jack and Annie, brother and sister, take care of each other as they travel back in time and in and out of reality. The sense of adventure celebrated by these books, as well as the safety and comfort of returning home, speaks to many young readers venturing into the world outside their homes.

Then came Harry Potter! This generation was the lucky one to grow up with Harry. I remember the anticipation of the release of the latest book. The excitement about what would happen at Hogwarts. Unwittingly, the kids absorbed epic storylines and difficult vocabulary as they matured with Harry, Hermoine and Ron. We celebrated by dressing up as the characters, eating gallons of jelly beans, and staying up really late to finish the latest book. Harry teaches kids about courage and standing up for your convictions when others believe you are wrong. Ron showed us that the one who may seem to be the silliest can be your best friend when times are tough. My favorite, though I should not admit it, is Hermoine. She is brainy and a little neurotic, but she will pull you through the the hardest times with intelligence and heart.

Before I knew it, those litte kids that loved the Magic Tree House were reading Catcher in the Rye, Slaughterhouse-Five, Les Miserables and Jane Eyre. When I saw those books going out the door of The Open Book, I knew that soon their readers would be going out into the world.

That day has come for many of the young readers who I have watched grow up over the years. It it right down the road for many others. To all of you I wish the joy of Madeline, the adventures of Jack and Annie and the courage of Harry Potter. I wish you years of wonderful books and good friends to share them with.

Keep turning those pages.......