Darlene Foster, a fellow blogger, friend, and a wonderful author, asked me to read aloud to her, and to you. She wanted me to read The Poet’s Dog, by Patricia MacLachlan. I am touched, Darlene. Thank you! Here I am, reading chapter one:
Please visit Darlene at Darlene Foster’s Blog.
If you want me to continue reading aloud the book, please let me know.
Jennie
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About Jennie
I have been teaching preschool for over thirty-five years. This is my passion. I believe that children have a voice, and that is the catalyst to enhance or even change the learning experience. Emergent curriculum opens young minds. It's the little things that happen in the classroom that are most important and exciting. That's what I write about.
I was a live guest on the Kelly Clarkson Show. I am highlighted in the seventh edition of Jim Trelease's million-copy bestselling book, "The Read-Aloud Handbook" because of my reading to children. My class has designed quilts that hang as permanent displays at the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia, the Fisher House at the Boston VA Hospital, and the Massachusetts State House in Boston.
A Teacher's Reflections 
I loved this book, think you told me I would love it a while back –
I’m so glad, Beth!
Oh please keep reading!! I am already in tears . . .
Really? Thank you, Pam. I just might do that. 😍
Please do, Jennie 🙂 No matter how old I get, being read to is always a joy…and always takes me ‘home’.
Thank you, Sue. The yays are outnumbering the nays. I will be happy to take you ‘home’ along with Teddy the dog. 🙂
It is a very different experience reading it yourself, or listening…and not at all the same thing, somehow, as an audio book that seems to lack that intangible personal connection.
Yes, it is very different. When you have both the auditory and the visual, that’s the brass ring. With children, the youngest need to see the illustrations, and the older only need to see me reading the words in order to “see” the illustrations. I call it making the pictures in your head.
In this day and age, when so much of our imagining is done for us and fed to us digitally, that is more important than ever.
Yes!
🙂
A great pleasure to hear you reading that book so well. I will always be happy to watch you reading anything. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
Thanks, Pete. Some readers want to hear more of the book. Maybe… Was it strange to hear an American accent?
No, I am used to them from the TV, as well as my 60 years living in London. 🙂
🙂
Aw how lovely, Jennie!
Thanks, Ritu! 😍
A beautiful setting 💕💕 fire 🔥 place & wonderful reading!
Thank you, Victoria! 🙂
That was just excellent. I just love to hear you read and will play this a few times. It worked out well. So glad I suggested it. Please do read some more!!
That was just excellent. I just love to hear you read and will play this a few times. It worked out well. So glad I suggested it. Please do read some more!!
Thanks so much, Darlene. I’m glad you suggested it, too. I may read more! 🙂
Great chapter. Yes, please keep reading out loud!
Thanks, Deborah! You and others want me to keep reading. 🙂
I hope that encourages you to finish the book for us! 😀
Definitely! Stay tuned. 😀
Yeah!
Tomorrow morning, chapters two and three.
Woot! (❁´◡`❁)
😀
That was wonderful, Jennie. I remembered your recent post about reading The Poet’s Dog to Eammon, which I found very touching. I’m quite sure I have never heard this story before, but now I’ve already ordered it.
I remember seeing a Facebook posting a few months back about a principal who read her students a bedtime story (nightly, I think). She may have even been in her pajamas, but perhaps I’m just imagining that. It was such a sweet gesture. I remember her saying something like, “I wanted to make sure they had someone to read them a bedtime story.”
Thank you, Pete! It was the post about reading aloud this book to Eamonn that made Darlene ask me to read it to her, and other bloggers. So, I did! I may do more chapters. I’m so glad you ordered the book!!
I remember seeing that FB post of the principal reading a bedtime story to her students. Wonderful!
Jennie this is such a delight! Kudos to Darlene for suggesting it. I’m always captivated by seeing how you are with your students (or even just with us in this case). You’re a wonder. Hugs on the wing.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Teagan. Yes, if it wasn’t for Darlene, I wouldn’t have thought to read aloud to my bloggers. More to come! 😍
Please keep reading. I have my blanky all set to go for the next time. Well done Jennie.
I’m with John!
Hahaha
I am, too. 🙂
Thank you, John. I will. And bring your lovey, too. 🙂
I love this!
Thank you, Becky!
BTW: kudos to hubby (I’m supposing?) for supporting the gang’s need to be read to by recording this!
Yes, it was hubby. He is a great supporter of reading aloud, and he loves the books I read. I dragged him to an author event at a college in western Massachusetts. All the attendees were students… except us 😳, and the guest speaker was the author of The Poet’s Dog. Picture a comfy living room with a fireplace in an old building. A really nice way to get to meet an author. The drive up was terrible with rain, so I read aloud The Poets’s Dog in the car. While hubby had read the book before, it was the first time he had heard the book read aloud. That was powerful. Thanks, Laura.
I’ll add my vote for yay!! If you edit all the chapters together you could make a little audiobook for your grandchildren and great-grandchildren to have forever. You could be reading to them without being there. What a treasure that would be. You do it so well. Love this so much. 😉 Thank you and the camera person. 😉
I’m very happy that you liked this, Marlene. Your yay vote wins. I will continue to read the book. When Darlene Foster suggested the idea, I was surprised. In my gazillion years of reading aloud, it never occurred to me to do this on my blog, because my blog is ‘spoken’ in writing. So, thank you. And thank you for
Oops, and thank you for suggesting audiobooks for the grandchildren. The camera person is Steve, my husband. He loved doing it. 😀
I thought your husband was your cameraman but I want never to assume anything. 😉 My son treasures the little bits of video he has of his fathers voice. The kids lost him way too soon so those things come to mind quickly for me.
Lovely memories, Marlene. Those videos, even if they’re little bits, are treasures. I’m so sorry they lost their dad. I did, too, when I was five. It is quite a story which I should post one day. I would title it, “Strong Women.” Hubby will video me again tomorrow reading aloud a few more chapters. Actually, I hope to finish reading the book on my blog, because readers have to know the incredible ending. Thank you, Marlene!
Looking forward to it.
😀
This is such a great book, Jennie, I enjoyed listening to you reading Chapter 1. You really do have a lovely clear reading voice and a great reading style. I can see why the kids love your reading to them. You could read audio books.
Thank you so much, Robbie. That is very kind and much appreciated. Funny thing, it was just announced that Meryl Streep has been selected to do the audio book of Charlotte’s Web, and for the first time in my life I felt jealous.
Meryl Streep, I haven’t heard about her for ages. I doubt here rendition will be as good as yours because she doesn’t “live it” like you do.
I kind of feel the same way. 🙂
A real treat to get to hear your voice. We get used to imagining writers’ voices, but the real ones are fun. I am listening to a blogcast from another writer and enjoying her New Zealand accent.
I’m so glad you liked this, Elizabeth. In my decades of reading aloud, it never occurred to me to do this on my blog until Darlene Foster asked me. Hearing the voice can be very different from what we imagine when we read the text. I recently heard E.B. White read Charlotte’s Web, in front of his grand niece. I was surprised by his voice and reading. I told her, “That’s not the way I read the book.” And then, I read to her. Imagine that!
I especially like listening to poets reading their own work. They have the best sense of the rhythm they intended.
I need to see more poets reading aloud their work. It must be wonderful. Of course they would know the flow and rhythm. Thank you, Elizabeth.
I had the joy in college of listening to many and have always tried to find live readings or recordings of the poets.
Wonderful, Elizabeth!
Love the story and reading…
Thank you, Bette. More to come. 🙂
You read very well, Jennie. It’s no wonder you have your class wrapped around your little finger.
That’s so nice, Anneli. Thank you!
Jennie, yes, please continue!
I will. It seems to be a popular request. Hubby Steve will video me reading again tomorrow. 🙂
Reblogged this on charles french words reading and writing and commented:
Here is a treat from the wonderful teacher, Jennie!
Thank you, Charles!
Reading to children should be mandatory in schools. The value is more important than testing. Thank you.
Yes! YES!!
Yes, please do read more, Jennie! Its very amazing. Thank you for your efforts on this. Michael
I will, Michael. It seems many bloggers feel the same way. Hubby will video more today. 🙂
THANK YOU! Enjoy it very much!
You are most welcome!
Yes please to more! It reminds me of the nights I read to my son, and then the very first night he turned to me and said ‘I’m reading to you tonight Mummy!’ So long ago but so special. I don’t really enjoy audio books but I really enjoyed your reading aloud 🙂
Thank you, Nat. Hubby videoed me reading the next two chapters. I will post it first thing in the morning. I know what you mean about the memories of reading aloud to your son. When he told you he wanted to read to you… priceless. I can still picture exactly where my family was and what chair I was sitting on when I started reading chapter books to the whole family. Audio books are wonderful, but It doesn’t compare to the ‘real deal’.
Thank you for reading to us! You read so well. Judging from the first chapter, the book is an absolute delight.
That is so nice, Liz. Thank you. Hubby videoed me reading chapter two and three today. I will post it first thing tomorrow morning. The book is a delight!
I look forward to listening to them!
😀
What a wonderful idea! Yes I would love to hear more! I teared up because it has been soooo long since I have been read too! Goodness, you really could be on to something! I bet senior senters would LOVE this-and child centers! It is a different experience and more personal than just audio-hmmmm . . .. thank you! Jennie and Darlene
Thank you so much, Michele! Hang onto your hat as there is more to come. And thank you for your wonderful memories and suggestions. I am taking these to heart!
Jennie, I used to read to my husband. Sweet memories. You made me remember.
How wonderful that you read to him, Michele. I’m glad it gave you good memories. More to come!
I meant Centers
Love it!!
😀
I know this poetic reality! What a beautiful read Jennie! ❤
Thank you! 😀