favorite book

When I think about the books I read as a child, I am reminded of a quote from the movie You’ve Got Mail. Meg Ryan’s character Kathleen Kelly is sharing her passion of books and reflecting on helping her mother in her bookstore as a child when she says, “…it wasn't that she was just selling books, it was that she was helping people become whoever it was they were going to turn out to be. Because when you read a book as a child it becomes part of your identity in a way that no other reading in your whole life does…” Because books can be so real to children, they are an opportunity to experience things they would not it any other way. These experiences are influential to development.

In third grade, my class read The BFG by Roald Dahl. This book stands out as one of my childhood favorite because it was one that connected me to my classmates. We were all reading it together so it became a part of our conversation and play. I remember using some of the unique words from the book like “snozzcumber” with my friends as if they were a part of our normal vocabulary. We would also try to come with our own words to use, similar to those in the book. I specifically remember doing this with one little girl who became my best friend through high school. I have never really considered The BFG having a great impact on my life, but looking back, I think it was a great socializing tool for me as a grade-schooler.