So the other day we were moving furniture and Harrison found a book we’ve been missing for about two years. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good,Very Bad Day.
I was so excited, I love that book! I immediately sat down with my first grader and started to read.
Then I remembered how it got lost. Very conveniently lost.
Have you ever read that book out loud to a little kid? By the time we got to the dentist, I was sweating bullets and Harrison was one big scowl. I could see him identifying with Alexander, mulling, stewing, thinking about his own terrible, horrible life, and how very much they had in common.
And so, like a good mother, I casually misplaced that book behind the couch. I love it, but I’m not sure it has a place in our reading agenda right now. I think we’ll stick with shiny, happy books for the next year or two, just to be on the safe side.
Alexander can quietly stew behind the couch, it probably couldn’t make things worse for him.
14 comments
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October 19, 2009 at 8:56 am
Camille
I wish there was a couch big enough that I could accidently lose the TV for a couple of years.
October 19, 2009 at 9:07 am
Kristina P.
Makes perfect sense.
October 19, 2009 at 9:11 am
Becca
So funny. It totally depends on the kid, doesn’t it? My first 2 loved the Junie B, but there is no way in the world I could read that with Kid 3 – she connected just a little too much with the main character, if you know what I mean. DI got a big shipment of paperbacks from my house. Ack. We stick to unbridled fantasy with that one, now, because it’s easier to say, “none of this would EVER happen, right?”
October 19, 2009 at 10:06 am
Lara
You are a wise woman.
October 19, 2009 at 10:25 am
Tiffany
I love that book too! I knew a first grade teacher that said “Go to Australia”, which meant a time out spot in the classroom. Kind of funny. I do understand why you hid it too.
October 19, 2009 at 10:49 am
Tricia
I love that book. And Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday & Alexander, Who’s Not Going to Move. They were three favorites at our house.
October 19, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Rebecca
Ours got conveniently lost on the “grown up’s” bookshelf. It will be unearthed when I have grandchildren. (Meheheheeheheeee)
October 19, 2009 at 12:19 pm
L.T. Elliot
I recall the name, perhaps from my childhood, but we don’t have the book. That might be a good thing.
October 19, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Shelley
I’m trying to remember it as well.
While your hiding stuff, why don’t you take some of the Disney cartoon movies with it. It’s amazing what we allow our kids to see, just because it is labeled cartoon.
October 19, 2009 at 1:28 pm
VisibleVoice
I actually have that book and I too keep it hidden.
October 19, 2009 at 5:51 pm
Royce
I’ve never read that book. But the other day I did get out “Where the Wild Things Are” and the kids say, “Hey! They copied the movie!”
Somehow I didn’t get that book in on time….
October 19, 2009 at 6:28 pm
Tanya
You are so cleaver:)
October 20, 2009 at 11:05 am
Kelli
Annie..I’m doing the stalker thing:) I found your blog on Ade’s and thought I’d look you up. You are as hilarious and adorable as ever. Remember when I used to babysit you and you made me lay down by you til you feel asleep? I love you.
October 21, 2009 at 12:00 am
kristindoyle
Since you are selectively banning books from your children, I would also watch out for ones that reference pets of any kind – this fuels a certain fire for any kind of breathing animal. Also watch out for love-y dove-y books or your kindergartner may come home engaged and say things like, “I can’t marry you anymore, Mom I found someone younger and prettier.”