The Rights of the Reader

Most of what I’m going to say in my blog will be influenced by this charming fellow, Daniel Pennac in his book The Rights of the Reader.

 

I cannot recommend it highly enough; I picked up my edition at The British Library and almost finished it on the train ride home. After I read it once I then read it aloud to my Fiancée. It’s funny, poignant and nothing like anything I’ve ever read before.

Here’s an extract:

When it comes to reading, we grant ourselves all kinds of rights, starting with the ones we deny the young people we want to initiate into the world of books.

1.       The right not to read

2.       The right to skip

3.       The right not to finish a book

4.       The right to read it again

5.       The right to read anything

6.       The right to mistake a book for real life

7.       The right to read anywhere

8.      The right to dip in

9.       The right to read out loud

10.   The right to be quiet

Originally published in French in 1992 everything about it rings true of the British educational system today. I know as a child I was bored to tears having to read through every colour book before being able to move onto an equally tedious colour.  

Read anything anywhere and if possible always mistake a book for real life!

A world of wonder

My little sister went to see Julia Donaldson performing a few of her books with her husband at Leicester University. I was rather jealous that I couldn't go with her; alas they were the days when I had a job to prevent such things.  The idea of performing a book is wonderful yet so rarely actualised. Apparently Mr. Donaldson sang the Gruffalo song and lots of children came up on stage to help tell the story.

I remember my first experience of a true story teller. I was on holiday at Kelling Heath Camp-site in Norfolk and it must have been Halloween, though why we were camping in October I've no idea. It was a sodden night and dark as I can remember a sky ever being.

I don’t know how old I was but I remember disappointment at the story telling being moved inside because of the rain. My disappointment soon faded when I saw the enchanted space that had been created from a corner of the pub. The fire was lit along with thick half melted candles. Material hung carelessly enfolding the story teller and her audience in a magical place. I no longer remember the stories but I do remember the feel of the objects she passed round and the soft slow voice that lulled us so easily into a different world.

I’ve yet to find anyone who has recaptured that first magic of storytelling. I’d like to try it myself one day but the most I can muster is to read to a bunch of toddlers in a Library. Granted when just the nightlight is on and I read aloud to my little sister I sometimes feel that wonder but that’s the story not the telling.

Wishfully pursuing Waterstones yesterday I picked up a leaflet entitled: Open a world of wonder; sharing books they’ll love by Julia Donaldson. I smiled when I read it and also got a little bit sad that I’m no longer have the pleasure of reading every night to my little sister. She’s gone and grown up too fast. Still I do get the odd night.

Here’s a little extract:

People often ask me, “is it important to read to your child?” Actually, I dislike that word “important” because it implies that sharing books is a worthy duty whereas in fact it’s a huge pleasure. To my mind, there’s nothing like chuckling or gasping together over a good book...sometimes I think people get it the wrong way round: they think that the stories are a mere key to being able to read. They are far more than that – they are the whole point of it all!

Though for those who aren’t natural storytellers she gives a few tips:

·         Set aside a time when you know you won’t be rushed

·         Try using different voices for each character

·         Follow the story in the pictures-ask your child to explain what is happening

·         Encourage your child to interact, for example turning the pages or following the words with their finger

·         Encourage your child to chant along with familiar phrases

·         Relax and have fun

Besides the asking the child to explain what’s happening I agree with these entirely. It’s good to know that the Children’s Laureate is encouraging the love of reading and not its importance.  

Read – and be curious...

...And if somebody says to you: 'Things are this way. You can`t change it' - don`t believe a word”  
- Cornelia Funke Ink Heart 


 Once in a while a book comes along that makes me want to nestle between the pages and never leave. Ink Heart is one of these books, it is kept safely at the back of my shelf waiting to be read as soon as the real world starts to get me down. It has the power to rekindle that first love of reading when I hid under the sheets with a torch hoping my mum wouldn't come in and tell me to get to sleep. 


I am now 23 and still have difficulty stopping reading at night, I still feel that same rebellious streak at staying up when the house is sleeping and falling deeper into the printed words.  The characters from books easily creep into my head and the monsters still lurk behind rustling curtains at night time. 

It is a shame, and by no means a new phenomenon, that the joyous rebellion of reading is being extinguished for children through school and over eager parents. I've been guilty of this myself. After my little sister finishing reading The Tyger, or as she calls it Tiger Tiger, I pounced on her with very well meaning questions: What do you think he is trying to say? Do you know what Immortal means? Do you like the Rhyming? 

She looked at me and said in no uncertain terms that she did not want to talk about it because it would ruin the way it sounded in her mind. 

That shut me up. 

I will dedicate this blog to the love of reading, the quiet space were we are transported to different worlds and believe in magic.