Thursday, August 26, 2010

From Dusk Til Dawn Challenge!

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Since we're all reading at night for this challenge, I started thinking about how my love of books started out with my mom reading to me at bedtime. I can remember many nights spent listening to her reading the Little House on the Prairie books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I couldn't wait til the day when I could read those stories too!

Other bedtime stories I remember her reading to me include Curious George and the Amelia Bedelia books and (digging WAY back here) the Little Golden Books like Doctor Dan the Bandage Man. Anybody remember those???

When my daughter was born, I couldn't wait to carry on the tradition of bedtime stories and started reading to her way before she could understand the stories I'm sure lol. But once she could, her favorite without a doubt, the one we turned to almost every night, was the classic Goodnight Moon. She's almost 17, but that one still sits on her shelf =)

So, for this challenge I'd like you to tell me what your favorite bedtime story was as a kid, whether it was one read to you or one you read yourself. And for the mommies out there, what stories do your babies enjoy the most?? And what stories are you most looking forward to sharing?

I'll select a winner at random (random.org) from the comments and in keeping with the nighttime spirit of the read-a-thon, the winner will receive Volume 1 of Neil Gaiman's graphic novel series The Sandman. This is one of my favorite graphic novels ever and if you've never read one before, DO give it a try! This is a great one to start with!

From Goodreads....

In PRELUDES & NOCTURNES, an occultist attempting to capture Death to bargain for eternal life traps her younger brother Dream instead. After his 70 year imprisonment and eventual escape, Dream, also known as Morpheus, goes on a quest for his lost objects of power. On his arduous journey Morpheus encounters Lucifer, John Constantine, and an all-powerful madman. This book also includes the story "The Sound of Her Wings," which introduces us to the pragmatic and perky goth girl Death.

This contest is open to the US and Canada and while I would love to hear everyone's answers, this contest is just for those of you participating in the challenge (there's still time to sign up, click the pic!)

26 comments:

Lydia said...

I can remember my dad reading me The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien when I was about 6 or 7 years old. We slowly made our way through the story and I fell in love with it and.. last fall got the opportunity to read it out loud to my 7 year old nephew.

It's a beautiful story and even more so when read out loud.

Anonymous said...

My favorite book as a child was the Sesame Street version of Grover's "The Monster at the End of This Book"...it's a little golden book and I cannot tell you how many people my age felt the same about the book. It is a must read for kids and parents.

As for your giveaway...great prize. I took a comics class in college and we read Gaiman's Sandman series...as an English major I loved all the literary references hidden within. Would love to win!

Courtney

Claire @ YA Bookie Monster said...

My favorite book that my parents read to me when I was younger was The Tiger Who Came to Tea. It was so cute and still remains my favorite kids books to this day!

Thanks for the giveaway!

Claire :)

April X said...

I think I really liked Magic Tree House books. But the title of my first favorite books escape me now... I also enjoyed Dr. Seuss and those books with the girl who would always get things mixed up. (Instead of drawing the drapes, she would literally draw the drapes) Its sad I can't remember what its called now...

Natalie (Id So Rather Be Reading) said...

I am sooo tired but ready to read again tonight!

Also, you have an award waiting :0)

http://idsoratherbereading.blogspot.com/2010/08/one-lovely-blog-award.html

Angelique said...

@April...that sounds like the Amelia Bedelia books!! She was a maid I believe and she DID get everything mixed up, I thought those books were so funny!!

@ Natalie...Thank you so much!!!

Mrs. DeRaps said...

My favorite was (and is) Hattie the Backstage Bat by Don Freeman. It's the story of the bat who lived in the theater where a mystery play was being performed. She was swoop out during the performance and help the story along. I loved this book because I loved theater, but also because my first name is Hattie. Growing up, there were no other Hatties. But, my dad read this book to me every night, so I had a little bat friend who shared my name (as well as my penchant for drama!)

Thanks for the memory.

mrsderaps @ hotmail . com

LibraryGirl said...

One book that I really remember reading together with my mom was Heidi by Johanna Spyri.

My almost 2 year old loves to read stories! Her current favorite is Dora Saves Crystal Kingdom (Dora the Explorer). She goes through phases where we read the same book over and over and over again. Other favorites have been Max's Dragon Shirt by Rosemary Wells, Oonga Boonga by Frieda Wishinsky, and A Letter for George by Andrea Posner-Sanchez (Koala Brothers).

Icedream said...

I'm to old to remember what was read to me but I loved reading to my son when he was little (he's almost 21 now). His name is Jesse so I had to read the Jesse Bear books by Nancy White Carlstrom to him. He also enjoyed The Three Little Pigs because I used a "wolf voice" was scary/fun in a "Do it again Mommy!" kind of way. :)

Layla Messner said...

I loved the story Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad day by Judith Viorst. I memorized books before I learned to read them and this was one of my favorites to recite.

Heidenkind said...

I liked reading a book called The Alligator Song. That was my favorite story. It was about a young boy who travels across the sea to help an alligator find his home. :)

Ashley said...

I love Grimm's Fairy Tales, and my favorite was always The 12 Dancing Princesses.

I used to 'read' myself bedtime stories though. I had a lot of trouble falling asleep as a kid, so my parents would let me look through books until I fell asleep if I promised to be quiet. :)

Midnyte Reader said...

I do a feature on my blog relating to books I loved in my childhood. The Little House books definitely qualifies. I can't specifically remember reading "bedtime" stories, because I read all the time!

Lucky's Luna said...

My favorite was any book with food because I was a silly kid that loved food, still do! One favorite was Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, the mashed potato hills were the best ending! Yum! I also loved Charlie and the Chocolate Factory!

luckysluna(at)yahoo(dot)com

Natalie (Id So Rather Be Reading) said...

My favorite bedtime story before I was able to read was "The Very Worst Monster" by Pat Hutchins. My momread it to me when my first sibling hit his terrible two's and I LOVED it. It is about a wild toddler and how his older sister can't stand his wild stunts, wants to help him "get lost" and then realizes just how much she loves him.
I still have the same copy with my childhood keepsakes.

My kids' favorite books are "5 Little Monkeys" they can recite it by heart. And they love "The Tickle monster" which came with Tickle Monster Gloves to match :)

FICTION STATE OF MIND said...

The book i rember most is quite controversial! It was called Little Black Sambo. Some african americans think its racist. My family is african american but my mother never felt neagative about the book. I have wonderful memories of pulling it out of our piano seat and making her read it to me. I remember the beautiful color illustrations and how Sambo outwitted the tiger :)

iefgh said...

My favorite two books as a child were The Jolly Mon and I'll Love You Forever. The Jolly Mon has all the magic of an old-school oral tale, and even at a young age that really captured me. I'll Love You Forever is a deeply touching story of love transcending age and distance. I remember my mother reading it to me over and over as a little girl. It remains one of the few books with the distinguished honor of "having made me cry." :)

Al said...

reading to your children is really special.
We began with picture books when our girls were tiny and finished with Lord of the Rings (several times because our girls are spread out).
All three are absolutely dedicated readers.

Straylights said...

My favorite bedtime story was also " The Monster At the End of the Book" My dad was so good at Grover's voice haha ;)

Unknown said...

This challenge was soo much fun - OMG thank you!
http://www.book-crazy.com/2010/08/update-dusk-till-dawn-read-thon_27.html

Heather (Book-Savvy) said...

When I was young my Dad and Grandmother would each tell me stories they made up. Grandma used to tell me old Irish fairie lore and stories about the Celtics and during the day we would go outside and explore the flowers and trees to re-iterate. I have passed these on to my kids.
As far as books, they love when I read Dr. Seuss and get tongue-tied!

Bahnree said...

My favorite bedtime story/children's book was probably the Black Stallion by Walter Farley. I was a major horse nerd when I was little, and I never got tired of this one.

Liz @ Cleverly Inked said...

My mom used to read Narnia to us and My dad the hobbit. It was awesome.

Liz @ Cleverly Inked said...

Huh.. interesting that I wasnt the only one who's dad red them the Hobbit

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

My favorite stories that my parents read to me were The Velveteen Rabbit and The Little House. There were many others, but these are two that really stand out. When I was a little older, I really enjoyed the Little House books, Sara Crewe, and Little Women (which still remains one of my favorite books). I also adored Lloyd Alexander's Prydain Chronicles and The Wizard of Oz series. It's so funny, but I introduced my boys to The Little House and they love the book just like I did. Right now, my younger son is reading the Amelia Bedelia books (another childhood favorite of mine) and my older son is reading the Magic Treehouse books. I can't wait to share The Prydain Chronicles with them and Harry Potter...and many, many others! I've tried so hard to instill a love of reading in them and so far it's working. I hope they continue loving to read throughout life.

Anonymous said...

This was a lot of fun!Thanks!

http://readingthebestofthebest.blogspot.com/2010/08/dusk-till-dawn-read-thon-day-2.html