Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Current Family Reading: The Mouse and the Motorcycle

Our family finished off reading The Wizard of Oz with a field trip to the Tennessee Theater last Friday night to see the movie on a big screen. The restored Tennessee Theater is very ornate and grand, and as it turns out, Boy Wonder is surprisingly attuned to its architectural detail and . . . light fixtures. "Aren't they beautiful, Mom?," he asked, suddenly stopping in the crowd and staring up at the theater's enormous crystal chandeliers. Coming from a person habitually covered in dirt, this was unexpected, but a welcome sign of interest in things other than Legos. We eventually tore ourselves away from consideration of fixtures to try a number of the theater's seats and, naturally, chose to sit in the balcony for the movie. Although the movie is a classic, the book is WAAAAYYY better. And really, not at all as scary for kids. I have to say, Boy Wonder was pretty worried about that tornado.

We're now reading Beverly Cleary's, The Mouse and the Motorcycle. I wish I could take a picture of Boy Wonder's expression as he listens to this book. The Boy is rapt. His expression is priceless.

The Mouse and the Motorcycle has all the ingredients for an appealing children's story: talking animals, toy motorcycles that really work, and secrets kept from parents. It's a good read-aloud book. Nine year-old Miss M likes it, too.

Unbelievably, the 500Jerk kids have been out of school for over two months now, and we've become accustomed to the more relaxed pace of summer and late evenings spent on the living room couch reading a family book. Even though we'll be busier this fall with school, soccer, basketball, and other obligations, I'm hopeful we'll continue our reading streak. Reading is one of life's great pleasures, isn't it? "No entertainment is so cheap as reading, nor any pleasure so lasting." (Mary Wortley Montagu). And, as Dr. Seuss pointed out: “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”

What are you reading on these hot summer days? Leave a comment if you want to share.

5 comments:

AppyLove said...

You're back!

Uh, you know...it seems that BW's proclivities for Legos and light fixtures could mean an architect in the family. Score!

I finished Larssen's Salander trilogy. Weird but totally addictive. I'm hoping to get my hands on Carl Hiaasen's newest release as soon as I can. I usually re-read two or three of his novels every summer. The guy just cracks me up. The new one, Star Island, is about paparazzi.

Glad you're having a fun summer! We're in the midst of homebuying, so this month has flown by.

Barbara Flynn said...

I'm reading instructions on bookmaking. It's like reading recipes. Somehow I like that but I would prefer a good page turner. Spies? Mysteries? Exotic locales? I haven't read a novel since The Help. Suggestions accepted.

500Jerk said...

Hey Appy!
I liked that Salander trilogy, too. I've never read any Carl Hiassn. I need to look into that. Exciting news about homebuying; keep us posetd on Appy/Maddy Love.
Best,
Jerk

500Jerk said...

Hi Mom,
I've got a good book you can read--Cutting for Stone. It's really good, I'll give it to you when I see you next.

AppyLove said...

The new Hiaasen stuck to his by-now established formula, but it didn't disappoint. His books are such good waterside reads since they're all based in Florida and all madcap zany adventures. Saw your shout-out on MamaPundit this morning and was very excited!!