When I was a child my Mother always read childrens stories to me, I have a fond memory of the Classic Books at the time. Alice in Wonderland stuck firmly in my mind too, about a young girl chasing a White Rabbit down a hole, and imbibes a strange concoction which has a strange effect on her.
I think I did have Picture Books, today there are numerous ones with gorgeous illustrations.
I began reading a book when very young probably at the age of six or seven
I was a shy child unable to mix very well, by reading I could visualise myself into another fantasy world.
My Mother always gave me books as gifts for Birthdays and Christmas. I had a wonderful English Tutor at High School, I owe him my passion for Literature. He had a kind calm manner, and he always instilled an eagerness for me wanting to know more of the English Language.
There was quite a few book characters who influenced my behaviour. What Katy Did was one, and also May Alcott's Novel - Little Women.
If you were to ask me were there any places in a book that I longed to be I would say, I loved my home life with my Mother, but I craved for the countryside, to be on a farm with Horses and Sheep, and Geese.
I had never read Poetry until I was 17 years, I was introduced to John Donne by a friend since then I have been hooked and I am so passionate about Poems now.
I also enjoyed Fairy Story's, I love the idea that there might be Fairies living at the bottom of the Garden, good kind Fairies only though, that are there to watch over you. Beautiful books to mind are that of The Water Babes by Charles Kingsley.
I cannot ever remember a book that I did not like.
I think some of the modern writers ot literature will survive the test of time, authors like - Kenneth Grahame, J.K. Rowling, Jacqueline Wilson, Enid Blyton, C.S.Lewis, A.A.Milne, and Beatrix Potter. There sadly will be others that will just fade out.
Do I think that writing as a child made me want to become a writer?
Definately Yes.!
If I wrote for children in the future would it be Poetry, Novel, Film, Quick Read, Short Story etc., it would have to be Short Story's - I have had a few short stories published mainly for adults in magazine's. I think it is much harder to write for children, although I do have one unfinished manuscript of a children's story I began writing nearly twenty years ago.
I have children, and grandchildren and young friends and relatives who all have a great passion for reading I think it is important to encourage literature at a very young age, and the illustrations along with the written word is so precious.
They all visit the Library on a regular basis.
I do buy books for children but mainly I use the local Library for books, latest book purchased for a teenager was Jacqueline Wilson and J.K.Rowling. My son is in publishing so I am fortunate to get these at a discount, recent ones were the complete set of Beatrix Potter.
I think the love of books are becoming rarer, I believe young readers of the age of 3 - 14 years are still keen, but between the ages of 15 to very young adults, I think are receding.
Although there are TV Promotions, Man Booker Awards, Creative Writing Groups, we still need to be reassured that there will be even more Programmes on Books and Literature.
Sadly the Computer/TV/DVD screen has taken over from the written word, although my 13 year old granddaughter I am happy to say spends a lot of time reading.
I am hoping that all this new technology will not herald a decline of imagination.
The excitement of being able to read at one's pace whenever or wherever you wish, to be transported into a world of others imagination and creativity is truly wonderful.
If you asked me if I had one favourite book from childhood, there would be many.
Heidi
What Katy Did
Little Women
Wind In The Willows
Winnie The Pooh
Enid Blyton
Roald Dahl - I love Charlie and The Chocloate Factory
Pinnocchio
Peter Pan
Black Beauty
Beatrix Potter Stories
Hans Christian Anderson
Rudyard Kipling
The Water Babes by Charles Kinglsey- Illustrated by M.W.Tarrant
All Horse and Pony Books.
Alice In Wonderland
If I were to be sent to a Desert Island and were only allowed one children's book, it would have to be - Wind In The Willows by Kenneth Grahame
The famous friendship of Ratty and Mole, whose adventures with Badger and Otter, together with the outragous Mr Toad, has delighted me since I first read the book. It captures- life, sunshine, running water, woodlands, dusty roads, and winter firesides.
Thank you Dear Cait for allowing me to follow up the Survey, and bringing home to me again all those wonderful memories I have of those beautiful precious books.
