Happy World Book Day everyone!!!!!

Here in the UK and over 100 other country’s, today is World Book Day! A celebration of children’s authors, illustrators and publishers. And to promote and encourage children to read; exploring the world of books. World Book Day was first celebrated in the UK on the 23rd of April 1995.

In the UK, nursery, primary and secondary schools are encouraged to register on the World Book Day website to ensure that there students will receive a WBD resources pack(suitable for their age range); which contains a National Book Token and lots things to encourage reading and their imagination. I think this is such a lovely idea and really love the sentiment behind this celebration; for there are so many distractions today for children with gadgets, TV, computer games; that I fear reading gets loosed or forgotten about. And that’s what I adore about WBD because it brings books to the for-front of everyone’s minds and a reminder how important reading is for children. Some schools around the UK encourage the children to go to school dressed up as their favourite character from the favourite book. ( sounds like fun, doesn’t it? And I’m an adult!!!!)

When I was at Playgroup (Nursery) and primary school back in the late 80’s early 90’s this wasn’t celebrated *sad face* but to be honest I wasn’t much of a reader and always struggled with reading.

So in todays post I thought it might be quite interesting to get three generations perspective on there childhood book’s. For this I’ve called on my grandmother, my mother and myself to answer some questions… lets see how they differ.

 

First up we have my grandmother- Joan.

 

Welcome Grandma to Marie’s Book Boutique today and thank- you very much for taking the time to talk to us about your childhood books.

Before we get to talking about childhood books, could you tell us a bit about yourself?

Well my darling, I don’t mind telling you I’m 82. In my working life I was a house keeper as well as a wife and mother. In my younger days, I loved to go dancing with your grandfather, sowing, having dinner party’s; for friends and family, and knitting. But now I’m old and haven’t got my dancing feet anymore, I love nothing better than reading, doing my puzzle books and watching TV. 

Did you have books around you at home as a child?

Not really my darling, you see we were only really given a book as a present for Christmas mainly. We didn’t have as many books around us then like you do today.

Was you encouraged to read as a little girl?

Well when I was little I had a lazy eye, so as you can imagine I wasn’t really that interested or encouraged to read because of my eye. Not like I am today of course.

What was your favourite book as a child?

Oh gosh, it was such a long time ago now darling, but from what I can remember when I got glasses of course, I loved The Two Red Cloaks by E.C.Mathews which I recived from my father in 1949.

 

Did you get pleasure from reading as a youngster?

As I said earlier my darling, I wasn’t that interested because of my eye. 

Were your parents readers?

I really can only remember my parents reading newspapers. They were so busy with taking care of us girls and work they didn’t really have time. Life was so different to how it is today.

Where were books available to you as a child? (were there bookshops, library or school etc.)

As a child there wasn’t anywhere near us that we could borrow or by books as we lived in the countryside. We weren’t even allowed to borrow books from school.

If you could recommend me one of your childhood books, which one would it be? and why?

Even thought I can’t remember what happens in it now, the book that stands out in my mind is The Two Red Cloaks by E.C. Mathews. As you can see it’s been well read.

Do you think you read more now than when you were a child?

I most certainly do my darling. I have about three sittings of reading everyday. 

As an adult which is your favourite author?

In my younger adult life, I would have said Catherine Cookson or Danielle Steel. But now I’m older I only read Betty Neels (Mills and Boons) Simply because nothing nasty happens and they always have happy endings.

And lastly

Do you think reading is important for children?

Yes of course my darling I most certainly do. It’s educational for them and a way to learn. There are far to many gadgets today to distract children from reading and exploring a world of books.

That’s the end of the questions now grandma, thank you so much for talking to me about you childhood books, it’s been fun.

Your welcome my darling and thank you for having me on your blog thingy!

Next up is my mum Karen.

Welcome mum to Marie’s Book Boutique and thank- you for talking to me today about your childhood books.

Before we start could you tell us a bit about yourself?

I’m 59 and a mother of two. I work as a house keeper for a lovely family. I have a dog called Fogo; who I love to walk in the countryside. I enjoy reading and crocheting.

 

 

Did you have books around you at home as a child?

Yes, my mother was and still is a great reader. My father tended to read more gardening or quiz books.

Was you encouraged to read as a little girl?

Yes, both at home by my parents and at school.

What was your favourite book as a child?

As a young child I loved a book called Pussy Willow by Margaret Wise Brown. This was my favourite book because the cat used to remind me of my great aunt’s cat. When I got older it was Jackie annuals.

Did you get pleasure from reading as a youngster?

I did find reading hard when I was younger, but I still picked up books that had pictures in.

Were you parents readers?

Yes, they both were readers. My mother read fiction and my father more factual and educational books.

Where were books available to you as a child? (were there bookshops, library’s, school etc.)

As a child we was aloud to borrow books from school to read at home with our parents. I would also get a book or two for either birthdays or Christmases. I also remember fondly that when I would go to work with my mum in the school holidays, (she was a house keeper) the family she worked for had a full set of Beatrix Potter books and I loved to sit there and look at them.

If you could recommend me one of your childhood books which one would it be? and why?

I have got to say Pussy Willow by Margaret Wise Brown simply because I adored it.

Do you think you read more now than when you was a child?

Yes, I defiantly do, not always a book mind you I also like reading  magazines or the news paper.

As an adult which is your favourite author?

Charlotte Bronte, with my favourite book being Jane Eyre

And lastly

Do you think reading is important for children?

Yes, I most certainly do, as it’s a way for them to learn. You can’t get on in everyday life with out reading something; from labels on food packaging to road signs.

That’s all of the questions, thank you so much mum for answering them today it has been fun!

Your welcome Marie, thank you for having me on your blog today.

 

 

And lastly it’s my turn to answer the questions. So here goes (you can read more about me and my reading journey here)

Did you have books around you as a child?

Yes, very much so. My mum worked at a playgroup when my little brother was little, so she always knew the importance of them and having them at home.

Were you encouraged to read as a child?

Yes, I was. I would sit and read with my mum and she always encouraged me, even though I found it difficult and frustrating. I also remember at Primary School I would have individual reading sessions with a classroom assistant once a week.

What was you favourite book as a child?

With out needing to think about it, The Little Red Hen by Margot Zemach. I remember crazing mum to read it to me. This book was a much loved book as you can see!!!!

 

Did you get pleasure from reading as a youngster?

I’m half and half on this one because I had difficulties with reading and writing. I didn’t find reading enjoyable but I liked to be read to.

Were your parents readers?

I’m going to say yes to both. Even thought I have never seen my father read a book, I’ve seen him read the news paper. And my mum is defiantly a reader.

Where were books available to you as a child? (were there bookshops, library’s, school etc.)

As I mentioned earlier books were always around at home, but I could also borrow books from primary school to read at home with my mum. We could also borrow books from the  high school library, however I borrowed them but didn’t really read them as I struggled.

Which of your favourite childhood books would you recommend to fellow readers?

Again I really don’t need to think about it… The Little Red Hen for the reason that I truly adored it and I think it teaches children to be kind and helpful. When the little red hen asks for help during the proses of growing wheat to making the bread. But non of the other animals would help her but when it came to eating the bread they all want some.

 

Do you read more now than when you were a child?

With out a shadow of any doughty I do. Since I discovered I was dyslexic about 12 years ago now, I feel I understand and have learnt how to live with it. I have learnt tips and ways to help my reading and not to be to frustrated with it. Reading has defiantly helped my spelling as well. And I have found over time my reading has got faster, I still have a dictionary beside me when I read for when I get stuck; which I’ve found incredibly helpful. I adore reading now and can’t image my life without books in it! 

As an adult which is your favourite author?

As a book lover and book blogger it’s really hard to name just one author as I quit literally have loads of favourites. And that list grows as I discover new authors. But to name but a few Liz Nugent, Jill Mansell, Martina Cole, Katie Fforde, Chris Manby and believe me I could go on but I won’t!!!

Do you think reading is important for children?

I do. In fact I think its tremendously important for children to read, they can learn so much from a book. Children are like sponges absorbing everything and reading can ignite there imagination as well.

 

So that the end. As you can all see there are some similarities but also some differences. It also shows how the times have changed in regards to children’s books.

I know this has been a long post guy’s and I really hope you’ve enjoyed reading it, as much as I have enjoyed putting it together. Thanks again to my lovely grandma and mum for taking part, it’s been great!

If you have any thought’s and comments I would love to hear what you think!!

Happy World Book Day!