I think that summer (of my 11th year) I started Watership Down. And read it twice over again because I didn't want it to end.

Eric Carle does those. Really! Hungry Catepiller is a classic board book, as is Pat the Bunny. Which isn't Carle, but still! I still recall the smell (baby powder) of that book fondly.

OK, finding out the Amber Alert I saw on the road was the result of the death of the mother, even if the kids were recovered ok, is really depressing. I'd hoped it was just a fucktard custody dispute. So much worse.

I should be to bed now.

She might like Harriet the Spy. At that age, I loved Caddie Woodlawn, Roller Skates, the Little House books, the Black Stallion books, the Trixie Belden books, and books by Louisa May Alcott, Elizabeth Enright, Edward Eager, Eleanor Cameron, E. Nesbit and Marguerite Henry. A little later, I became obsessive about Rosemary Sutcliff. It's hard for me to know if the modern child can related to any of these.

It's hard for me to know if the modern child can related to any of these.

Oh Ginger, I feel your pain!

When I began teaching this age, I kept thinking, "Why don't you like the books I liked!" But then I began reading contemporary junior fic and realized it's totally different. sometimes edgy, sometimes funny, issue-laden and so good. The world's a totally different place now.

For my super strong readers, they'll still gravitate to children's classics, but for most readers, especially kids who live in urban settings and are struggling readers, children's classics are way hard. They have difficulty creating a mental picture of the world necessary to understand those books and to decode as they read.

It just takes a while to build up to those.

I should order pizza, right? I mean, there's no supperish food in the house--I can duplicate breakfast or lunch, but that messes with tomorrow's lazy food-providing.

Once again, I'm with the cowgirl.

Careful with the Melatonin pills. I've heard rumors of liver problems with prolonged usage... but then again, I suppose that is true of any drug ya take. Anyhow, check for side effects.

I should order pizza, right?

Yes. with mushrooms. online. Then I can come over and curl up on your cuddle lounger and eat the leftovers.

There will also be chicken, Kat. I have to warn you.

what kind of chicken? chicken wings? chicken tenders?

I mean, what am I willing to drive over the hill for? But if I do that, I should wait until I clean out my closet and am able to bring you pretty things to try on.