A child’s serious head injury required surgery and plenty of rest at home. Scary stuff. How to help Miles relax and take his mind away from his boo-boo? Reading aloud, of course. Miles loved ‘Jennie reading’ when he was in my classroom. I read a few picture books today, and then we became engrossed, together, in chapter reading.
For an hour we were on a wild island with Roz, the robot who was in a crate on a cargo ship, washed ashore during a hurricane, and activated by the otters. I finally stopped reading after the bears tried to attack Roz. Miles did not want me to leave.
He has no idea what is ahead in the book – adventures, learning how to help animals on the island, and slowly becoming less and less of a robot. I will visit Miles every week to read The Wild Robot as he heals. I feel like Peter Falk reading to his grandson in the movie, “The Princess Bride.”
“Children make your life important” –Erma Bombeck-
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
Bless you, Jennie.
That is so nice, John. Thank you.
Jennie, it never gets better than ‘You’, believe me. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
Awww… that is so nice to say, Pete. Thank you.
Aw, Jennie 🥰
😍❤️🥰
This is so sweet! I love the quote at the end!!
Thank you!
The medicine, magic and power of reading aloud… Always a win-win!
Yes, a hundred times yes. 😍
Bless you Jennie. I know that reading with a child is the best thing ever. I love the quote.
Thank you! 🙂
How wonderful that you have been able to read to him as he recovers. I’m sure he waits in anticipation for your next visit. xo
Last year at school, Miles was the one who was glued to every book, especially chapter reading. He hasn’t had Jennie reading to him since school closed in March. I’m so glad I could be there for him. It seemed like a no-brainer to read aloud. He loved it, and so did I. He’s excited for our weekly reading. 🙂
You are important, Jennie.
That’s so nice to say, Dan. If I do something good for a child, that’s as good as it gets. Thank you.
I hope Miles gets better soon. You are part of the healing process. Bless you Jennie.
Thank you so much, Pam. Your words mean a lot.
Jennie to the rescue! I hope Miles gets better quickly.
Thanks, Kim. Fortunately children heal far more quickly than adults. Still, this was bad, emergency surgery at Children’s in Boston. Mom told me there were so many doctors she lost track. He is doing great, but has a long road ahead. Chapter reading, here we go!
Reading aloud soothes so many physical, mental, and emotional ills. Such a wonderful thing you’re doing for Miles. I’ll bet he remembers your special time together very fondly when he grows up.
You are so right, Liz. Reading aloud is powerful in many ways. I wish I could read to him every day, like I did in school. Still, reading every week will be good, and exciting. His older sister was in my class years ago. She couldn’t pull herself away from the story today. And then there were Mom and Dad, trying to be in stealth mode, but wanting to hear the story, too. Miles loved all of that. I hope he remembers this, too.
I love the detail about Mom and Dad in stealth mode sneaking a listen to the story!
Thank you, Liz. It was fun to see all them tippy-toe around.
You’re welcome, Jennie. How is Miles doing?
Children really do recover quickly. He’s walking and chatting away. We played with Legos and Kinetic sand on his kitchen floor. He has a follow up appointment on Thursday. He can’t jump, lean over, dance- most any head movement is a no-no. I hope his spirits stay high. I don’t know about school, just that his start will be gradual.
I’m glad to hear that he’s on the mend.
Me, too.
It’s a wonderful way to spend time together.
Yes, it really is.🙂
Awww, Jennie such a thoughtful action what pleasure it must bring not just you and Miles but his parents as he heals…and slowly becoming less and less of a robot sums up Miles healing process ..good book choice Jennie 🙂 xx
Beautifully said, Carol. 🙂
There are few things in life more magical than reading with a child. I love it all from children learning new vocabulary to watching their wheels turning as they make predictions and try to figure out the plot.
The healing powers of words (and human compassion).
Yes, indeed.
I loved that movie the Princess Bride! I still have this book about Roz on my “To Get” list.
How wonderful that Miles has you to read out loud to him. I hope he recovers quickly!
I’m so glad, Deborah! I hope the weekly read-alouds give him healing and also memories. 🙂
I bought Roz and Billions of Bricks this morning. I found two “good” used copies this morning. I can’t wait for them to get here so I can read them to the boys! ❤💙
Yahoo!! Please let me know what you think. Really. 😀
Will do! 😀
Jennie=Peter Falk
Princes Bride and Roz
Cool analogies.
The Aqua Reading Room is widening its tent pegs! Here’s to a smooth recovery for Miles.
I love your analogy discovery! Yes, here’s to a smooth Miles recovery.
Ah… so glad Miles is making a strong recovery – and that you are there to help:))
Thank you, Sarah!
You are so kind, Jennie. I used to read to my boys for 90 minutes a day.
I need to clone you as a mom for young children! Many thanks, Robbie.
You are the best medicine a child could have. Your heart is a healing heart.
Marlene, I have written down your words. They are on my computer screen so that my heart will always be full. Thank you so much, my friend. ❤️
From my heart to yours. 😉
Awww… 🥰
Jennie, I didn’t really get to children’s books until I had my own children. However, I adored reading to them every day and miss it. There are plenty of children in my village but the books would have to be in French or, for a few, in Dutch. When you review a book could you mention if it is available in translation? I know it is a lot to ask but perhaps I could build up a collection and start a storytime at our village library. I’ve no doubt other local villages would welcome it too.
Hi, Lea! I would be happy to do this. How wonderful for you to consider starting a story time at your village library. I do the same thing at my local library. If you send me your email, I will work on a list for you. And in the future I’ll check to see if the book is in French or Dutch and hopefully include that in my review. In the meantime, I’ll work on a list. Give me a few days. You can email me at sfitzkee@erols.com
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford.
Thank you, Jonathan!
U,R, welcome, JENNIE!
Great work, Jennie! There is really no situation you can handle best. Thank you, Michael
Thank you, Michael. 🙂
🙂
Now I am going to need to request this book from the Minuteman Library network and find out what you and Miles discovered while reading this book together… You are a terrific role model, Jennie!!!
I hope you do get to read it, Will. Our adult daughter is reading the book aloud to her children, and she loves the book. Well, everyone loves it. It was also the book I read aloud last year to my library group. Let me know what you think. Thank you, Will!