By Kathleen Guthrie Woods
I am going to be a “mystery reader”! This is nothing like a mystery shopper, someone who goes into a store, shops a bit, then rates the service. Instead, I am the mystery. On a given day, after tantalizing clues about my identity have been revealed, I will surprise my 6-year-old nephew when I show up to read a story to him and his fellow first-graders.
I about leapt out of my chair when I read the invitation my sister forwarded from the teacher to aunts and uncles, grandparents, and special friends. “I AM SO IN!!!!” I replied. I love reading to my nieces and nephews. Bedtime stories with friendly monsters, fairytales with happy endings, wild yarns that tickle the imagination; hand me any book and we’ll read it together. Before I moved closer to them, I even checked out books from the children’s section of the library, made up silly voices for each of the characters, and read to them over the phone.
My date isn’t until after the new year, but I immediately started thinking about my selection. Make Way for Ducklings is a personal favorite from my childhood. I regularly give Mo Willems’ Knuffle Bunny and Knuffle Bunny Too as shower and first birthday gifts. Dr. Seuss, wild rumpusses, Shel Silverstein, the many adventures of Winnie the Pooh…and then it hit me. I’ve been giving these beloved books as gifts for years, but I don’t have any of them on my own shelves.
Dangitall! I always assumed I’d have a shelf full of children’s storybooks, and I imagined how I would teach little ones how to read then sit in awe as they discovered the joys of reading for themselves. I looked forward to becoming reacquainted with my favorite characters, experiencing precious stories through a grown-up perspective, and appreciating anew the artistry that goes into creating them. I’ve been making such good progress in coming-to-terms with my childfree status that I didn’t see this left hook coming. Like with so many of our experiences as childfree women, something that made me so happy also makes me so very sad.
I will pick myself up, dust myself off, and pick a story that I think will be fun for everyone. It’s no mystery that I’m going to savor every moment I have with my wee audience. Meanwhile, I tip my hat to the thoughtful teacher who came up with the mystery reader program and is giving me the opportunity, just for one morning, to live in my fantasy world.
From time to time we have our nieces and nephews stay with us , and we do things we would have done with our kids. It’s great fun and I really enjoy it, but when they leave I become really depressed. It really brings hope all we have, and will miss out on. I’m grateful for the time with them, but it is also heartbreaking.
From time to time our nieces and nephews stay with us and we do all kinds of fun kid stuff, which I enjoy but it also reminds me of all the things we have, and will miss out on. I always look forward to the time with them but when they leave I become depressed, and our house is once again is filled with silence.
How awesome to be invited to this event! I hope you have a treasured experience. Thanks so much for the book recommendations, too.
This sounds like an awesome opportunity! I have to admit, though, that earlier today I was enjoying a day off and went to the library to drop off/pick up some yummy fiction and it happened to be the weekly story hour time. When I saw the sign on the door and the row of strollers parked outside I felt an initial hurtful pang, but when I walked into the mayhem I was actually glad that I got to spend my day reading adult books in peace and quiet. I’ll take small signs of progress anywhere!
What a lovely thing to do! You’ve reminded me to dig out some of my old children’s books for the next time my niece visits. I remember the horror that my mother was going to give them away – even after it was obvious I wasn’t going to be having children. I adored them, and I wanted some new memories with children of my choosing … if not of my own.
I always give the kids in our family books on special occasions. I like to encourage reading and think everyone should have a library. I love reading myself and enjoy doing research on what is hot in children’s books. The first year Harry Potter came out, I was listening to a story about it on NPR and ran off to get my nephew a copy. He is now 27 years old and he and his wife are serious fans!
Fabulous!! How nice to have been asked — I would have loved to have done something like this with our nephews. (Alas, they are now 22 & 26, so I think we’re a LITTLE too late!! lol) Enjoy!
I admire you. I make a habit of avoiding all things children related…. Much less painful that way. I have three nieces, but they live 3,000 miles away, so I never had to worry about events like yours. Where I live though, first birthdays are a huge event and to not show up at a first birthday part is not a good thing. They really are hard though and I don’t stay too long. Long enough for a second helping of dessert, then I’m out of there…. Feeling sorry for myself of course….
How fantastic for you. Recently I was the ‘special friend’ for my niece and nephew (twins) at their kindergarten. I was the first one there and the last one to leave. It was absolutely fantastic. I had the best day and loved every minute. At one stage I had five children sitting on the rug in front of me as I read a book – I thought it was the best thing I have done in years. Being with all the kids brought such joy and reminded me I would have been a brilliant mother which makes me feel good (it is the only thing I’m sure of in life). Please tell us all about it when it actually occurs.
Have fun.