Thursday, November 03, 2005
OK, so this is harder than it looks
Just when you can't stand the suburbs ... you have to go back out in them. I'm finally recovering from a night at the school Book Fair (an attempt to raise money for the school as well as kids' interest and ability in reading). There I heard a fellow parent proclaim ... quite matter-of-factly I should add ... "Books are stupid."
Yes, isn't that just the message we were trying to send? Then there was the "buy it to shush them" mentality. "I don't mind spending the money, but you don't read," one mom said to her tween. Gee, I wonder why that is. You hear the doomers tolling the end of our nation's strength in the world and you think “There's a chance to turn this around.” Then you go out into suburbia. Ugh.
So, here's a site for the kids www.seusssville.com (interactive fun, games and, of course, shopping) and one for parents interested in Seuss. It’s a glimpse at his World War II era political cartoons www.tfaoi.com/aa/1aa/1aa291.htm. I love that my kids love Seuss because I take so much more from his works now than I ever did when I simply was pondering what greeen eggs and ham might actually taste like. Other favorites: The Butter Battle Book, Sneetches, The Lorax.
“And he climbed with the lad up the
‘This,’ cried the Mayor, ‘is your town’s darkest hour!
The time for all Whos who have blood that is red
To come to the aid of their country!’ he said.
‘We’ve GOT to make noises in greater amounts!
So, open your mouth, lad! For every voice counts!’
The lad cleared his throat and he shouted out, ‘YOPP!’
“And that Yopp …
That one small, extra Yopp put it over!
Finally, at last! From that speck on that clover
Their voices were heard! They rang out clear and clean.
And the elephant smiled. ‘Do you see what I mean? …
They’ve proved they ARE persons, no matter how small.
And their whole world was saved by the Smallest of All!’”
—Horton Hears a Who