On New Books & Bedtime Stories
By The Parodist | May 31, 2007
I came home from a recent trip to Alabang Town Center, armed with new books from Powerbooks that I can add onto my 500 Books list and a few thoughts on book preferences and bedtime stories.
I was telling Rico last night that I found it funny when I realised the kind of habit I have developed over the course of my life as a book reader. I used to go into bookshops and would then automatically zero in on fiction books first before moving onto classics but, lately, I’ve noticed that I tend to browse the business section first then classics, second. I find the change a bit odd. It makes me feel boring and old. 
Last night, however, I made it a point to skip the business section (just glanced at a few books, heehee) and went over and thoroughly scanned the bookshelf that held all the fascinating classics. 
Of course, with my love of Greek Mythology, I was enraptured by the choices that was before me. OK. I’m being a bit overly dramatic about the situation — was just trying to relay the emotion of the moment. Heh.
Anyway, I discovered a great collection of books, “Penguin Epics: The Greatest Stories Ever Told” from Penguin Classics and when I saw the Epic Story XII, Cupid and Psyche, I knew I just have to have a copy (it was the last one at that!). Hehehe.
And earlier, when Rico found out that I already read Paulo Coelho’s book, The Alchemist, he asked me if it was true that it was the Brazilian version of the book, The Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. I didn’t know the answer to that since I haven’t read the latter.
So, with little prodding from him, I grabbed a copy of that book, too. I’ve been meaning to read it for years now anyway. It’s just that a lot of other books keep distracting me. LOL. Soon after, we headed out to relax, have coffee and talk a bit before going home.
In our conversation, we talked about the first time we picked up a book to read for leisure and bedtime stories. I have no recollection of having been read a bedtime story when I was a kid, you see, and I only picked up a book when I was about 10 years old — twas one of them Sweet Dreams books, i.e. P.S. I Love You by Barbara P. Conklin or Love Match by Janet Quin-Harkin. And I only started reading the classics for book reports during highschool but learned to love them when I graduated from Uni.
Going back to bedtime stories, I was reminded of what I had witnessed when I was in Australia on how my sister (and my brother-in-law, too, of course) would read bedtime stories to my nephew, Cam. I found it endearing. I would’ve loved being in his shoes and hearing about the faerie tales (and other stories) that I’ve grown to love. Ah, well. I simply told Rico that I plan to read bedtime stories to mine, that is, if I get the chance to have kids. 
That’s why I’m working on accumulating as much books as I can! (I finally decided that I want to buy the Grimm’s Fairy Tales collection book that I saw last night!) I’d read them first, of course! Hehe. 
I reckon reading to your child will help cultivate and expand his imagination, creativity, and articulateness, IMHO. It will contribute in strengthening the emotional bond between parent and child. And, of course, it will add onto the child’s knowledge since that time may be a chance for him or her to ask questions related or not to the story.
Anyway, I just can’t help but wonder just how many of you guys have had the experience of being read bedtime stories as a kid? Did you read to your child? Will you read bedtime stories if or when you have children? What sort of stories would you read? And, in your own opinion, do you see the significance that bedtime stories give to an individual?
Too many questions, huh? But I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Topics: Books, Gallyvanting Episodes, Questions, The Rambler |
May 31st, 2007 at 9:16 am
My folks didn’t read me bedtime stories. We read bedtime stories to our children and their night is not complete without one. Here are my good reasons.
Aside from the western tales, Adarna House has lots of Filipino-authored storybooks for kids. Foremost in my mind right now is The Yellow Paper Clip with Bright Purple Spots whose author is Jayvee’s friend.
May 31st, 2007 at 9:34 am
Jun: Those are wonderful reasons, Jun. I’m glad that you shared them with me.
Perhaps we, who have not experienced it as a kid, would be more passionate about doing it to our children, huh? Though, I don’t mean to generalise, it’s simply a theory. 
It’s good to know that there are home-grown stories you can share with your kids (and mine, too, in the future!) I guess I should include such books in my reading to-do list. LOL. Btw, the Yellow Paper Clip seems interesting — the very title is pretty imaginative!
May 31st, 2007 at 10:44 am
I plan to read to my kid, because when I was young, I totally enjoyed that experience!
Even when my parents were getting exasperated over my refusal to sleep. 
May 31st, 2007 at 10:44 am
PS: How sweet Jun!
May 31st, 2007 at 10:56 am
Rico: I reckon your parents will agree with your using the word, “exasperated” cuz I gather from the way they recounted the antics of the 8 year-old Rico, that’s how extremely
causticCHOCOT you were as a kid!May 31st, 2007 at 10:58 am
We didn’t exactly read bedtime stories, but my dad used to read books to me. One I remember him reading to me was “Pepito the Catfish”, he even translated it to Filipino.
I think I got my love of reading from that. I love fairy tales too, and I remember trying to catch the cartoon show of Grimm’s Fairy Tales on one channel before. The first book I picked up reading on my own (not counting the other children’s books that I can’t remember anymore) was Sweet Valley. Right now I still own some Sweet Valley books, but I’m more into chicklit and general fiction. I’m trying to learn to like classics more, but I have yet to crack my soon-to-be one year old copy of “Vanity Fair” open. 
Work’s getting in the way, I can’t read as much as I want to.
As for reading to my future kids, I would definitely do that, more or less for the same reasons Jun mentioned in his post. Books are treasures and I want to keep my collection of books to be passed down onto the next generations in our family.
Oh yeah, I’ve read The Little Prince, and I think it’s a nice book. I haven’t read The Alchemist though. I’ve been meaning to buy a copy but I always forget when I go to Powerbooks. Oops.
May 31st, 2007 at 11:04 am
Well, I’m definitely glad I’m not caustic!
But still… 
May 31st, 2007 at 11:18 am
Tina: It’s great that you have that memories of the times you read stories with your dad. It must’ve been really special.
And I know what you mean about work getting in the way with your reading — I’m currently nursing a backlog of books myself. 
I also read Sweet Valley but only when I got to highschool, I even have the SAGA books. Hehe. 
Oh, Vanity Fair can be a good read, don’t expect the typical happy ending, though. (Eeep. Should I have said that? Sorry.)
I’m seeing that people who love reading are the ones who read or plan on reading to their children. There’s something about the whole thing that’s significant, huh? I guess that’s why Lola Basyang is a character known by most, if not all, for her, well, stories.
Kidding!
LOL on that last bit you said. I guess the tables are turned, eh? Perhaps you and I can swap stories instead. It seems we’re on the same boat.
Rico: Awww. Of course, you’re not — most of the time.
May 31st, 2007 at 11:26 am
I don’t remember if my parents read me bedtime stories, I think my Ate and Kuya did but I remember that my Mom encouraged me to read a lot and I usually bought books with my savings when I was ten. That’s why by the age of 13 I had to wear eyeglasses already. LOL.
I read to Miguel when he was tiny (he’s taller than me now!) and we enjoyed it a lot. I am lucky that he loves to read. Books aren’t enough for him now, he reads a lot of stories online now
May 31st, 2007 at 11:35 am
Aileen: I guess it still counts but I’m sure it would’ve been different had it been your parents instead of your brother or sister reading to you.
So, you’re one of us, too.
Thanks for sharing that.
Does that mean by reading to him, you were able to influence his love of books and even ebooks (though personally I still prefer paperbacks 
) for that matter? 
Goodness. I can’t imagine Miguel being tiny! LOL.
June 6th, 2007 at 11:32 am
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