Back on June 6, I mentioned that I had just begun a lunchtime read-aloud with my two sons (ages 12 & 5). We were reading The Wind in the Willows, a book I’d heard of but never read, and I was hoping that both kids could enjoy it (and that I could, too!).
Well. Last Thursday, we finally finished The Wind in the Willows. Yes, finally! It took us almost six weeks to finish it!
We basically took the entire week of VBS off. And we had gone away for a few days, and didn’t take it with us. And then there were other days when reading just didn’t fit into our lunch routine, for one reason or another.
But honestly, six weeks? I didn’t expect it to take us that long.
Our final verdict on The Wind in the Willows?
Well, C.(12) enjoyed it. He was old enough to get the subtle humor, follow the overarching storyline, and interpret some of the more complicated language.
L.(5) says he enjoyed it too. While he didn’t absorb quite as much as his older brother, he still laughed at Mr. Toad’s silly antics and listened attentively every time I read.
As for me? I liked it, for the most part. But I have to admit, I tired of some of the wordiness. Some of the chapters could have been significantly shorter while still telling the story and engaging the reader. But keep in mind that I’m someone who loves a fast-paced mystery. I sometimes have little tolerance for flowery, descriptive language.
Also, there were about 20 instances of a word we don’t use in our house, where I substituted the word “fool.” This didn’t really bother me; I just knew that if I read the other word, my five-year-old would likely repeat it in Sunday School, an incident I didn’t particularly want to deal with.
What I loved most of all was the whole process of reading together at lunchtime. It’s easy for me to sneak away from the lunch table to check my email or read blogs, but maintaining a read-aloud routine keeps me engaged, and keeps us connecting.
So with one read-aloud down and approximately half of our summer break still stretching before us, I think it’s time to pick another book. I’m leaning heavily toward the first book in Andrew Peterson’s Wingfeather Saga: On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness.
(I listen to Andrew Peterson’s music, I follow him on Twitter, I read his blog…it seems only fitting that we finally start his kid’s series.)
I’ve heard many good reviews of On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness. And besides, with a subtitle like “Adventure Peril, Lost Jewels, and the Fearsome Toothy Cows of Skree,” how can I resist?
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I’ve included this post with 5 Minutes for Books’ monthly carnival, Kids’ Picks. Click over to see what other kids have been reading.
I was thinking the same thing…”enough already with the words.” We’ve been reading it before bed. Inspired by you, I dug it out and started it not long after you did and we just got to where Mole finally meets Badger. We usually only manage to read it one or two nights a week as we read some other short books in between. Will LOVES Moley and Ratty. I’m sure he’s missing most of it, but he is usually the one that asks for it. Stephen has been following the story very well and has even picked up a few new words…not THAT word, thankfully. After the first week or two, he went and dug out an abridged version in a story collection that I didn’t even know we had! He does like the actual version more. Good boy!
I’d love to hear your thoughts on the Andrew Peterson book. Amanda read the first 2 and enjoyed them, but I haven’t read them.
Read-alouds always take us a long long time, and I think of the Wind and the Willows as being very very dense. That’s no reason not to keep going, but it’s something I’ve come to expect.
I look forward to hearing more about your tween bookclub as well!
There are some classic books that would be well served by having a Readers’ Digest version. Keep the story, pare down the text. Styles do change. This would be an exame of a book that would benefit from such a treatment.
I love the idea of a lunch-time read-aloud! Unfortunately working outside the home precludes me from doing this, and a weekend lunch-time read-aloud (LTRA?) wouldn’t happen as we’re always out and about. I’ve gotten away from read-alouds with my almost 8 year old now that he can read unassisted but it’s something I want to get back to doing.
It’s been so, so many years since I read WITW that I don’t remember much, but I do remember that I enjoyed it at the time. I should give it a look with the idea of a read aloud in mind, if we’re ready for a BIG commitment.
-Dawn, 5M4B
The Andrew Peterson book(s) are SO good. I almost read them with N1 this summer but I think she needs another year. Your boys will LOVE them. I just finished the third book and can’t wait for the last one.
I love the idea of reading at lunchtime. It’s a challenge to find a book that appeals to different ages and one they will all enjoy. Thanks for sharing your insight!