December 23, 2017

Quote of the Week

"Children are made readers on the laps of their parents." - Emilie Buchwald

What Stories Are We Telling Our Children This Holiday Season

"In every culture that anthropologists have ever studied, people tell stories.

Families most frequently tell stories around the time of vacations, family reunions, (sadly) funerals, Thanksgiving and, of course, the family-oriented winter holidays of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.

Stories are told about times past, times present and even times yet to be. These stories mix real people and places with imaginary people and places. For instance, there was never anyone called Sherlock Holmes, but the town he lived in – London – is real. The street he lived on – Baker Street – is also real. But there is no 221B – his house number in the story.  So, why do we tell these stories?"

This week's featured article shares various contexts on the different kinds of stories that have been passed on since generations; that in turn shape the way we think, act and celebrate in our lives. [read more]

Reading Corner

Title: Enid Blyton's Christmas Stories: Contains 25 Classic Tales
By: Enid Blyton
Ages: All ages

Why? "Enid Blyton's timeless collection of Christmas stories - an ideal gift for anyone who loved the stories during their own childhood to pass on to the next generation of readers.

Here is a wonderful selection to read and share. From Santa Claus and his helpers to a family putting up their tree, the characters in these stories embrace the Christmas spirit. There is mystery and magic, laughter and mischief, the joy of shared times and plenty of delicious food - many of the ingredients which have been delighting Enid Blyton's readers for more than seventy years." - Publishers

Be the Change

Our stories are constantly building the narratives that make us and shape our choices. As time passes, we often re-visit these stories and the magic they created for us when we were kids.

This week reflect on how stories shaped you as your journey unfolded. What did you learn in the process of understanding old narratives and shifting into new narratives as time passed? Kids have great imaginations too - involve your children as you re-imagine old tales and make it fun to discover new meanings together!