I agree 90% about getting kids to read dumbed down versions of the classics. I got my son a “Classic Starts” edition of se real classics when he was in grade 2 and he loved them! The 10% doubt stems from the concern that I might have killed his appetite to read all of the real editions. He has shown interest in reading the real Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, Animal Farm, Little Women, and Iliad and Odyssey. He claims he has read 4-5 of these already. He is in grade 8.
In so far as the attire in cold weather, you have the soul of a high school American kid;) They are grossly underdressed for freezing weather and are perpetually in shorts in zero degree weather!
I laughed through my Covid cough. Billy the conquerer was a true talent. Who knew he invented the music genre—British Country?
Love love love the dumbed down version of classic literature. There’s nothing worse than turning off a child to reading. I remember my mom forcing me to read Peony by Pearl S Buck. I couldn’t get past the first page.
How’s your chest infection? Your cough may have traveled over the pond and landed in the Steefel household.
"You give them Emma and, after they’ve got to the first comma, they’ll want to put it down and take up glue-sniffing." I laughed out loud, especially because my Jim picked up Emma for me this afternoon at our library, as I put it on hold after reading about so many reading it. My daughter is a huge Austen fan and I thought, "Well, I might as well give it a go!" So excited to begin. Thanks for a wonderful post that I read at the very end of my day. Sort of like keeping the best for last. 😁
I agree Terry, exposing kids to any kind of version of the classics may open a door for them to enjoy something different. I don't recall any dumbed-down version of the classics in northern Canada when I was growing up so we slogged through the real stuff and it didn't inspire me to keep going. It wasn't until much later that I wanted to explore that kind of literature.
So much to get my teeth into for my response to this letter next week - I can't wait to get started!
I'm enjoying interpreting this line of yours in different amusing ways: 'I think it's amazing that you could even think of making a dress', and am blaming you for the fact that I have already spilled my tea TWICE for laughing. 😆
I agree 90% about getting kids to read dumbed down versions of the classics. I got my son a “Classic Starts” edition of se real classics when he was in grade 2 and he loved them! The 10% doubt stems from the concern that I might have killed his appetite to read all of the real editions. He has shown interest in reading the real Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, Animal Farm, Little Women, and Iliad and Odyssey. He claims he has read 4-5 of these already. He is in grade 8.
In so far as the attire in cold weather, you have the soul of a high school American kid;) They are grossly underdressed for freezing weather and are perpetually in shorts in zero degree weather!
I laughed through my Covid cough. Billy the conquerer was a true talent. Who knew he invented the music genre—British Country?
Love love love the dumbed down version of classic literature. There’s nothing worse than turning off a child to reading. I remember my mom forcing me to read Peony by Pearl S Buck. I couldn’t get past the first page.
How’s your chest infection? Your cough may have traveled over the pond and landed in the Steefel household.
Jeremy Clarkson? In the words of Scarlett O'Hara - Fiddle-di-dee!
Classics Illustrated? I've read them all -- Two thumbs up!
Cadbury Creme Eggs? The only religious experience I need.
"You give them Emma and, after they’ve got to the first comma, they’ll want to put it down and take up glue-sniffing." I laughed out loud, especially because my Jim picked up Emma for me this afternoon at our library, as I put it on hold after reading about so many reading it. My daughter is a huge Austen fan and I thought, "Well, I might as well give it a go!" So excited to begin. Thanks for a wonderful post that I read at the very end of my day. Sort of like keeping the best for last. 😁
I agree Terry, exposing kids to any kind of version of the classics may open a door for them to enjoy something different. I don't recall any dumbed-down version of the classics in northern Canada when I was growing up so we slogged through the real stuff and it didn't inspire me to keep going. It wasn't until much later that I wanted to explore that kind of literature.
'My wench don't love me no more' - oh, Terry! 🤣
So much to get my teeth into for my response to this letter next week - I can't wait to get started!
I'm enjoying interpreting this line of yours in different amusing ways: 'I think it's amazing that you could even think of making a dress', and am blaming you for the fact that I have already spilled my tea TWICE for laughing. 😆
I read some of the books CI put out when it was revived in the 1980s, and it sparked a desire in me to read the real things. So I did that....