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What stood out to me in the Court (2018) reading was the mention of comparing the same information to when we were younger to now. I choose this because as an adult, I enjoy rewatching cartoons from my childhood and comparing my thoughts to what I thought then to what I think now. As a young child, I remember enjoying books written by Dr. Suess. When I read these as an adult to my own kids, I experienced the same sense of fun and appreciate the language, unique characters & settings, and the illustrations. Books such as, The Lorax and Yurtle the Turtle also engage difficult topics at a level children can understand.

What stood out to me in the Lerer (2015) reading was the inspiration from knowing that children’s literature is for all ages and not bound to an age group, which creates an inclusive environment for all readers when reading. We are never too old to enjoy and learn from a storybook! Why not read picture books to kids at the Junior, Intermediate or even Senior levels?? We love them, and so will our older students.

As a child, I do not think I had a favourite book, but I loved (and still do) reading books by Dr. Suess. What initially drew me to these books were the illustrations, the rhyme, and the fun stories and characters.

My mom and dad read them to me and my sister before we could read ourselves, and I read them to my own kids.

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Something that stood out for me in the Lear (2014) reading, was how children can identify with books. I can think back on my favourite childhood books and the reason why I liked them so much was because I could identify with the themes in the book or the characters. Lear (2014) discusses “making sense of signs, and symbols, life and letters” (Lear 2014, page 2). This part of the reading really stood out to me because growing up, books were a way I could relate and feel seen outside of my family.

Something that stood out for me in the Court (2018) reading, was how there’s a strong comfort in revisiting our favourite things as children. I loved this quote: “Not only do rereaders rediscover the story, but they may also rediscover themselves (Court 2018, page 2). I think there is so much to relearn from our childhood. Rereading things as adults gives us a perspective we didn't have as children and revisiting those can certainly help us identify more about ourselves and our lives. I love that wave of nostalgia that hits me when I’m revisiting something I loved as a child and remembering how I felt when reading it for the first time.

My favourite book growing up was called “Nana Upstairs, Nana Downstairs” by Tomie dePaola. This story is about Tommy’s great-grandma and Grandma and it deals with grief and death. My parents bought my sisters and me this book while our grandmother was sick and it made me realize that everyone will lose someone at some point and how important family is. It made me feel brave because I knew Tommy also lost someone he loved. Having that representation in a book made me feel represented. Although it deals with sad topics, I don’t find it to be a sad book. If anything, I find it to be empowering. It empowered me as a child to appreciate every moment we have with our family and how special our grandparents are. As a child, I would reach for it multiple times, instead of feeling sad, I felt thankful that I had something that I could easily identify with and work through my feelings of grief and death. Representation is so important and having something that represented how children see and experience death was very beneficial for me in dealing with death, even as an adult.

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What stood out to me in the Court (2018) was the idea that revisiting childhood books as an adult may bring a sense of rediscovery, comfort, and pleasure. This resonates with me in many ways because I have always found so much joy in reading. Every night my mom would read to me and whenever I revisit the books she would read to me, it brings a sense of comfort within me. Whenever I revisit my favourite stories, like Harry Potter, it really does bring me such joy. It makes me think back to being a child and reading about a whole fantasy world that I was able to create in my head. Remembering that joy brings me a sense of comfort and pleasure.

What stood out to me in the Lerer (2014) reading was that children's literature inspires the making of a child's imagination and that there is no golden age for children's literature. I resonated with the reference to The Little Prince story. Growing up in a french school, I had read this story as a young child. This story always illustrated how to use your imagination and to look at things differently. Then, I revisited this story in high school. I wondered why we were reading a children's book. Revisiting this story as a teenager really gave a different perspective and outlook on the story. I learned how the story changed perspective as I grew. This resonates with the idea that there is no golden age for children's literature. As a young child, The Little Prince story inspired me to use my imagination, but as I read it as a teenager, I was able to analyze the story and see the deeper messages, it became a story that I really came to love.

My favourite books growing up was always the Harry Potter series. When I read the first book, I ended up not being able to put it down. I believe these books really inspired my love for reading and the world of possibilities a book can bring. I loved these books because it really was the first time I felt like I went to another place when reading. I fell in love with the characters, the settings, and the world that I created in my mind. It was the first time I built those strong connections with characters and it really brought me so much happiness. I think this was so important to me because I was able to use my imagination to create an image of the wizarding world inside my head. At the time, I was probably around age 10 or 11 when I started to read them, so the characters were around my age, which definitely allowed me to relate to the characters. I think that I really just loved the idea of a different world with magic and it inspired my love of reading. Now, I still love to read, and I love to read fantasy still thanks to Harry Potter!

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1. An idea that stood out for me from these two readings was the concept of rereading our favourite children’s books in adulthood as a form of comfort for our inner child and to serve as a medium into our interests. Reading children’s literature as a child we are challenging our mind with key concepts, plots, ideas, rhythms, and imagination and as an adult it can be a soothing experience to repeat the storylines and characters of the past. It surprised me to think about the lacklustre and disappointment we can be faced with when our nostalgia or sentimental memory does not live up to our expectations. I have also perused some children’s literature lately that I enjoy such as “Charlotte’s Web,” “Green Egg’s and Ham,” and “The Giving Tree” and I feel the same as I always have a wave and variety of emotion. It shocked me that some individuals will not feel the same pleasure and sense of discovery I experience but that is what makes us unique I suppose. Something that resonated with me was the matter of interpretation that not every child digests material similar and an image that was meant to display one thing gives an entirely different message to another child. It makes me wonder how others around me disgusted Dr. Seuss books. I had to think about how my interpretations of literature affected my experiences on reading and how if my experiences had been different I may not have been the avid reader I am today. As Lerer states, “…. Two ways of reading literature. On the one hand, we may look for what it seems to us; on the other, we may look for what its author meant it to be.” My ideas and opinions may not even align with those that wrote the book which is an interesting way to look at literature as a whole.

2. My favourite book growing up was “Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Seuss it was a book my mema used to read me every night before bed and I would laugh at the thought of having green eggs and ham. It was always a positive experience at her house she had bookshelves of children’s books she would let me read constantly. I think it meant so much to me because she meant so much to me my parents worked a lot when I was little so she was my maternal figure and I enjoyed the word play Dr. Seuss had within the book. I connected to the plot, theme, characters, and some other aspects of the book by using visualization to imagine myself experiencing the book which is something I tend to do a lot of and making predictions on something that happens next.

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What really struck me in Court’s article was the idea that revisiting childhood books can be like taking a journey back to our own past selves. It’s amazing how these stories, which once seemed so straightforward, can reveal so much more about who we are now. I was surprised to learn that these books might actually help us understand our personal growth and changes over time. It’s like they hold a mirror up to our lives, reflecting not just our past, but also how we’ve evolved since then.

Oh, the Places You’ll Go! is one of those books that feels like a personal pep talk from Dr. Seuss. For me, the story’s magic lies in how it speaks directly to the reader, like a wise friend reminding you of your own potential.

When I first read it, I was at a point where I was transitioning from one phase of life to another—kind of like the book’s journey through uncharted territories. The way it talks about facing new challenges and embracing the unknown felt like it was speaking right to me, encouraging me to take that leap even when it felt daunting.

The playful illustrations and Seuss’s distinctive rhymes make the book feel approachable, almost like a comforting hug in book form. It’s not just about the adventures you’ll have but also about the inner strength you’ll discover along the way. For me, that’s what made it so impactful—it’s not just a story; it’s a reminder that you’re equipped to handle whatever comes your way, no matter how uncertain or challenging it might be.

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Something that stood out for me in the Court (2018) reading was the impact books had on adults and how they made sure to make their children feel that too. When we see that adults try and read the same books they loved to their children, like the Yale professor who loved Charlotte Web, we can see the impact that one simple book can have on a person. As it was stated in the article, it is a way to be transported in another world, a fictional world where your day to day life problems do not appear and I find that to be one of the reasons I fell in love with reading.

In the Lerer (2015) reading, I was taken by how it mentions that reading children's books does not have to be confined to one particular group of people, but can be widespread. Sometimes, we tend to believe that our older students cannot read certain books anymore, because they are too old, but in reality we should be open to children wanting to read and the important aspect being that they find something they love.

As a child, I loved the book Goodnight Moon. It was the book my mom read to me every night and I had it both in English and in Italian so it was a way for me to learn my language as well and spend time with my mom who used to travel a lot for work at the time. It was our time together.

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What stood out to me in the Court (2018) reading was the the quote that said "not only do rereaders rediscover the story, but they may also rediscover themselves (pg. 2). I resonate with this idea because I love to reread books and depending on where I am in life or my mental status, I often find myself taking away different things from the book. There are times it will give me immense comfort to reread a favourite childhood book and other times that I'll read that same book and understand a deeper theme that I never thought of before.

In the Lear (2014) article, they mention that grown-ups never understand anything by themselves and childhood find it tiresome to have to explain things to them. This shows that imagination and creativity can be lost/hidden as you age and it then becomes harder to relate to children and connect to that previous version of ourselves. Children's literature is such a powerful way for us to keep that imaginative part of ourselves alive so that we can share in the joys of childhood with our students or children.

I have loved books since I can remember and I have so many favourite books. One that I always go back to is "The Seven Silly Eaters" by Mary Ann Hoberman. I have 3 siblings and our interests are so very different so when I was little I could relate to the book. As I've gotten older, I can see how my mom was very similar to the mother character in the book (the mom is constantly trying to please all her kids by making them the food they want). It makes me feel empathy towards my own mom who tried to do the same for us and it makes me appreciate how hard it must've been to raise 4 girls that are all so different.

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I think the ideas that stand out most to me are from the first reading, “What rereading childhood books teaches adults about themselves”. I think the idea that rereading books or rewatching a movie, that impacted you as a child,  can have many kinds of therapeutic effects on you as an adult is very true. I have many friends who will rewatch TV shows over and over again, even though they know exactly what happens. Their reasoning is usually that, when they are stressed or going through a hard time where they don’t know the outcome, the TV show is comforting because they do know the outcome and it feels safe and alleviates stress from their body and mind while watching. I think it is also interesting to be able to go back and read books that may have impacted you as a child and realize that the messages or themes in a book that may be advertised as “childish” can actually be applicable to adult life as well. I also enjoyed the point being made that sharing books/literature can be eye-opening for many children and students. In a classroom setting it is extremely important to offer books that are written from different perspectives and represent diversity, so that all of the children can see themselves in the books and be exposed to culture or ideas that they may not get at home.

Stella Luna was one of my favourite books, I can remember my mom reading it to me before bed many nights as a child. I think when I was younger I loved that after being separated from her family, Stella Luna was eventually reunited again. A theme that I loved as a child and can still connect to now is that at the end of the book Stella Luna and her bird friends/siblings notice that they have differences, accept the differences and recognize that their differences doesn’t change the fact that they are friends and family. This is an important message to reiterate to children but also adults, that differences are normal and good and should be seen as a positive rather than something to judge or change.

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1) What stood out to me in the Court (2018) reading was the impact that revisiting childhood books can have on us as adults. It is amazing how rereading a childhood book can conjure up palpable sensations from our past.  Even at this very moment, by simply glancing over titles of books that I’ve kept from when I was young, I am taken back to a time from my youth marked by innocence, optimism, and comfort. Still, I was a little surprised to read that most of the books reread by Goodreads’ users were mostly children’s books (Cook, 2018, p.2). I suppose many of us as adults still crave the comfort of the nurturing environment of our childhood.

In the Lerer (2015) reading, the thing that stood out most to me was that children’s books offer value for people at all ages. Looking at this from the lens of a person who has taught in EFL classrooms, this point immediately brought to mind the potential benefits of using children’s books with older students who fit into the beginner to intermediate levels of English learning. The simpler sentence structure and vocabulary found in these books would create an easier reading experience for these learners while still offering the opportunity to analyze complex themes, topics, and issues that can be found in children’s books if we take a deep dive into the author’s intent of the story.

2) While I was an avid reader as a youth, I can’t recall any particular books that meant a lot to me. Maybe this is because I never really felt a personal connection to the characters I was reading about. My selection criteria for my reading material were based more on the genre of the books: typically, mystery or adventure. The feeling of not knowing how events were going to unfold as the story progressed captivated my attention more so than any personal journey of growth that the characters may have been working through.  While my perspectives did shift as I got older, my preferred readings as a youth typically evoked feelings of adrenaline and excitement, which I found could be experienced in most any book from those genres.

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What resonated with me in Court (2018) was that when we reread something as adults, we may find new perspectives on what we were reading. Although we may think we understand these stories as a child or upon first reading them, when we reread them later in life, we often find deeper meanings that were always right before us.

Growing up, one of my favourite books was also "Oh, the Places You'll Go" by Dr. Seuss. I have vivid memories of reading it in school with my kindergarten teacher and my grade 6 teacher upon leaving for high school. Upon my high school graduation, my mother gifted me said book, which inside had letters from all my teachers from kindergarten to grade 11. Reading them back was a large reminder of how far I had gone, how much I had grown, and all that I had gone through during the years of schooling. This book highlights life's strengths and challenges and emphasizes how important they are for personal growth.

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What stood out to me in the first reading (2018) was how differently one could discern information from a book as a child and as an adult. More specifically, the notion of re-reading a childhood favourite could bring shivers down your spine and bring up so many enchanting memories. This I knew. However, I had never considered that re-reading a childhood favourite could also potentially ruin that sense of enchantment if ever, from an adult lens, you wonder what you could have ever loved about something that seems otherwise mundane now.

As for the second reading (2015), I found it a very dense read that I took breaks from while engaging in it in order to give it my best shot. The topics were at once all over the place and on the other hand very complete, encompassing a wide span of ideas. Particularly, the notion that there is no "Golden Age" of children's literature sparked my interest. I love the idea of erasing hierarchy in what book is better than another to focus on what really matters: the power of stories to shape minds, hopefully for the better.

As a child, my favourite book was the Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, in large part due to the film reproduction that was released in 1993 when I was 9-years old. I especially love the fantastical element of the story in which the impossible becomes possible. In the same light, I was very drawn to the escape from reality, allowing imagination and creativity to become highly respected and coveted elements of humanity. Finally, the character archetype I am most drawn to in literature, children or otherwise, is the underdog. Colin's character arc and role gave us a sense of empathy.

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What summarizes and inspires me is the line from Marx Watofsky in, For Grown Ups Too, that goes, “What they are taken to be by others, and what they come to take themselves to be, in the course of their social communication and interaction with others” is what children are or become.

It makes me think about how much our words matter both the written and spoken. A child that hears labels heaped upon them, both good or bad, one that is always getting singled out for certain behaviour, is who that child sees themselves to be. Literature is no different as it fosters views of the world and elicits responses from the child as well. I think this is the reason there can be so much debate around what is appropriate for kids and at what age too. Further to the example of the, Little Prince, Lerer adds how meanings change ad different groups of readers see things differently. If words can be so influential how do we select literature that is not only appropriate but relatable for children from diverse backgrounds. The social cultural and religious experiences and backgrounds that students bring with them into a classroom adds so many layers to this discussion. If “monstrous brilliance” can take shape can monstrousness in itself too?

As a little child, we had a lot of the 90s classics that a family would have. I remember the Bernstein Bears, the Franklin Books, and I loved Winnie the Pooh and all his adventures. Specifically with Winnie I was captivated by the characters and their sharp contrasts in character. I found the situations that emerged hysterical, including Pooh’s obsession with honey. Much of what I was exposed Winnie wise was also mixed with the TV shows by Disney and I now have trouble at times to distinguish between the two. I believed I took to the books because of the adventure and the emotion it conveyed whether it was the somber Eeyore or the ceaseless energy of Tigger. Writing about it now makes me want to reread them.

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An emotion that I often think about but rarely get to experience is nostalgia. This fleeting and often unexpected recall to earlier times in our lives sneaks up on us when visiting our parents home, pulling an old photo out of an album or smelling the air of our hometown. Court (2018) references a passage from J. Hillis Miller in which he experiences nostalgia from re-reading the Swiss Family Robinson. She says that ''[t]he experience also brings him back to his childhood, transcending the passage of time" (2).

This reminds me of an experience that I had last year while sorting through some old books that a retiring colleague had gifted me. Most titles I had not heard of before, but as I flipped through the stack, a light blue cover flooded me with that nostalgic feeling. A Promise is a Promise by Michael Kusugak and Robert Munsch was a childhood favourite for me and my sister and was on constant rotation in our house. This cautionary Inuit tale reminds children to stay off of the ice, and being from a corn field in Southwestern Ontario, this was clearly not what resonated with me. It may have been the slight terror we felt from the illustrations of the Qallupilluit or the voices that my mother made when reading it to us, but regardless, the memories of reading with my mother and sister become vivid every time I see this book. This reminds me that books are an experience outside of the pages as well. It is not only what is read, but the environment and surroundings in which that book is read that can have an impact on the reader.

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Some things that resonated with me from the articles:

1. From Court, the idea of rereading as an act of telling your own story. As someone living abroad, my experience now differs greatly from my childhood (and early adulthood). Rereading gives me an opportunity to look back, to re-experience my feelings and be comforted by nostalgia, and to examine my past beliefs and assumptions.

2. From Lerer, the idea that children's literature can be considered as not only works that are written for children, but also works that are read by children, creating a more broad idea of the concept of "children's literature".

As for my own personal experiences with children's literature, I started at The Paper Bag Princess (Elizabeth's independence, cleverness, and ability to stand up for herself continue to motivate me into my adulthood) and ended up at The Giver. It was read to my 7th grade class by our teacher with no expectation of formal assessment, just casual discussion. It was my first experience with dystopian fiction, which is one of my favourite genres. Looking back, the main character's experience of the burden of the memories of an entire community and his examination of his positive and negative emotions as a result of being given these memories really resonated with me, and (SPOILERS!) the reveal of the loss of colour blew me away. I think it got me started really thinking about my place in the world, how others experience the world, and what people can do for each other to make the world a "better" place.

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1. a) I found that the article reading, what rereading childhood books teaches adults about themselves (court 2018), it gives a unique perspective of nostalgia and healing. Something that resonated with me was based on the 2012 study where it explains the positive process of revisiting a book from the past. It was insightful as it showed how therapeutic it can be as it can help you challenge yourself and the story that you're rereading to help you cope with that. It made me think about the previous stories that I have read and how it really helped shape my identity as I really wanted to relate to the characters as much as possible as my mind thought that all things were possible and true.

b) Comparing the reading, the surprising depth and complexity of children's literature (Lerer 2014-15), I found it interesting how children and adults conduct and express themselves similarly yet differently. A child's imagination is never ending and even as we grow old, we continuously never understand anything by ourselves, and as children they are tired of having to explain things to them. From what I understand in this context of the article, we are the same but different people, and this text gave me insight on how we analyze these stories from childhood to adulthood. That we can still benefit from the value of children's literature through their storyline and themes that each childhood book gives.

2. One of the most memorable childhood books I remember was the Fancy Nancy book series by Jane O’Connor. Although I don’t think it was my favorite, I recall all the glamor and spark that the book had and how it was about a girl who loved all fancy things. I wasn’t an avid reader as a kid, so I think that is why I don’t particularly have a favorite. I mostly recall all the books that have images that spoke to me and could continuously engage me through the book's visuals. I believe that this story spoke to me because I found the story/visuals intriguing and relatable. The aspect of the story was about a young girl who expresses herself through what she refers to as anything fancy. She then goes on to bring fanciness to her whole family. The book shows the value of being true to yourself and family. Aside from wanting to be as fancy as her as a child, I believe that the aspect of this story showed the acceptance of herself and her family.

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Court’s (2018) discussion surrounding the impact of rereading childhood stories into adulthood, was an idea which resonated with me. The predictability and constancy within the plot of familiar story lines helps us reflect and make connections to certain moments in time. As Court (2018) describes, this nostalgic experience can be therapeutic as it may highlight values that were previously formed during childhood, as we reflect on the progress that has been made since that moment in time. Rereading stories can help us find similarities between these moments, connecting with feelings and experiences from our childhood.

One memorable childhood book was ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar', by Eric Carle. This short story focused on a caterpillar's journey to becoming a strong butterfly through transformation, with a mix of non-fiction and fictional elements of the story line. The illustrations stood out to me, as the reader followed the caterpillar on its journey as they ate their way to becoming a butterfly. The story also had moments of humour when the caterpillar ate giant foods like lollipops, cake, or cheese. In my Gr. 6 science class, our teacher had brought a caterpillar to school as we watched it create a cocoon over time and transform into a butterfly, which always reminded me of this story.

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1. After reading the article by Court (2018), I found myself reminded of my childhood, curled up in my bed in a warm blanket re-reading many of my favourites over and over again. I would spend hours adventuring through fantastical or far away lands without ever having to leave my bed. This article reaffirmed how much literature can have an impact on us and that it has the power to carry us back to those original feelings from when we first read it. I still feel the same when I pick up some of my all time favourite reads, such as Harry Potter, and I will get that warm, comforting feeling right from page one.

The reading by Lerer (2014) provided a perspective on how interpretation of the story is in the eye of the beholder. When they mentioned the drawing of the boa constrictor and the elephant, and the boy's interpretation of it versus the understanding of the family, it is confirming how differently we may see something. Referring back to Harry Potter again, I remember re-enacting parts of the books with my childhood friends. We would create costumes, practice attending Hogwarts with our made up content in each of the classes, and we even tried to speak in a British accent to make it more authentic. My parents were perplexed but despite their lack of understanding, unlike the child I referenced above, I did not let it deter me from this magical world my friends and I created.

2. I was a HUGE fan of the Goosebumps series by R.L. Stine. When I was a child, I was absolutely fascinated with anything remotely "spooky." Halloween was my favourite holiday; I loved ghost stories and stories about monsters and vampires. I even created my own books about these paranormal creatures. One particular work of his was always one of my favourite "go-to" novels if I was in a nostalgic or spooky mood, and it is called One Day at Horrorland. The premise behind it is that the family of four wind up lost and come across this amusement park called Horrorland. They end up exploring it and riding the rides, and find out it was far more sinister than they imagined. As a child (and even now), I love roller coasters. One of my favourite summer past times was going to Canada's Wonderland with my family. This book combined my love of amusement parks with paranormal or spooky themes. I still have a copy, and I am hoping that one of my children appreciate the Goosebumps series like I did so I can relive those experiences once again.

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1) What stood out to me in the reading by Court (2018) was that memories, experiences and lessons are intertwined with the stories children share with others. Whether it be with a family member or teacher, these stories hold more than the words on their pages.

The readings by Court (2018) and Lerer (2015) emphasize that the content children take in through reading is foundational to the memories and experiences they take with them into adolescence, and later, adulthood. The stories they hear also influence how they interact with the world and the people around them. For me, as a beginning teacher, this highlights the importance of having multicultural books within my lessons. Books that teach children the many ways of knowing and doing. Both readings also reinforced the importance of reading aloud to students. Today, many students I see while supplying in schools are reliant on technology. Although it can be a great resource for multimodal learning, I believe it is still important to implement the roots of teaching. This can be done by exposing children to actual books and reading out loud to them. In classrooms, this could be a reading corner, furnished with a rocking chair, carpet, and bookshelf. I believe this area is essential in a primary/junior classrooms. It's a place where children can listen, discuss and learn from one another in their classroom community.

2) The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo was one of my favourite childhood books. It was one of the first chapter books my mum read with me before bed when I was little. I really loved Despereaux, the main character, a mouse who was quite the oddball! I rooted for him the entire way through the novel. I loved the suspense and adventures the author took my mum and I through as we made our way through the book each night together. This story also encouraged the inner author in me. I drew illustrations of mice and created personalities for each of them. I was creating characters in my story of mice. I enjoyed writing stories and developing characters in school and this book reminds me of where it all began.

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I enjoyed both readings as they discussed childhood, nostalgia, and the comfort that reading can bring. Both readings made me reflect on my childhood reading experiences, I noticed how I still have a feeling of ownership over these books. For example, I loved Beverly Cleary books as a kid and still tell people she is one of my favourite authors even though I haven’t read one of her books in well over a decade. Because I read her books at such a pivotal, impressionable time of my adolescence, I feel as though it is a part of me. What Rereading Childhood Books Teachers Adults About Themselves resonated with me as a friend of mine recently told me he is currently reading Bridge to Terabithia, a book he hasn’t read since the fifth grade. We discussed how nostalgic it is but also refreshing that the book is just as good as it was upon first reading it, and the ending is not as devastating because you already know what’s to come. As mentioned in the reading, there is safety and security in rereading books from childhood. When I think of books from my childhood that transformed me, most of them were either read aloud in class, or at home with my Dad. I remember my Dad read “Where the Red Fern Grows” to me when I was in the fifth grade. It is one of my favourite childhood memories. Not only do the stories and books shape children, but the experiences as well, creating magic moments in the mundane. “Even the most ordinary prose becomes magical when read aloud at home or at school”.

The book that was the most influential to me as a child was Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery. I wasn’t surprised when Anne of Green Gables was mentioned in the reading as it has rightfully earned recognition and claimed fame, and I understand why it is beloved by so many. I first read Anne of Green Gables when my family took a road trip to visit my cousins in Prince Edward Island. I was immediately drawn into the story by the theatrical descriptions and Annes wild imagination. I saw myself in her. The story is charming, sweet, emotional and still resonates with readers all over the world. I felt connected to her imagination, her admiration of nature, and deep loyalty to her friends. I grew up with summers in the east coast and Annes feels deeply interconnected to these memories. I recently reread the story when my friend was playing Gilbert Blythe in the musical version in Charlottetown. It was just as impactful rereading as an adult. I laughed, I cried, and I saw myself reflected in the story in ways I wasn’t even aware of.

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I have always valued children's books and enjoyed their illustrations as well as their ability to develop characters quickly, make us laugh, and teach us something. I am sad to say I have not reread many of mine, but I now know I definitely should! I appreciated the Lerer reading outlining what children's books have looked like in the past and some of the many different topics and areas they have taught us about. Although it is not always apparent, children's books really do reflect many of the current and persisting societal norms, expectations, and values.

One quote that really stuck out to me from the Lere reading was, "And even the simplest-seeming of our children’s books teachers something elegant and deep.” (2015) This, for me, connects to Court's analysis of revisiting children's books and how, even though the book itself is the same, we have changed and aged and will get something different out of it when we reread (2018). Some children's books are surprisingly simple and/or short - another one of my favorite's being "Q is for Duck" - but they are purposeful and concise and do teach us something.

I have a great memory and remember many of the books I read/were read to me as a child. And "The Emperor's New Clothes" was definitely a favorite. I think this story meant so much to me because it was so silly (I thought the entire premise was so ridiculous) and yet it taught me so much. The main three takeaways for me personally being: 1. sometimes adults are wrong and children are right 2. even if no one else agrees with you, it is worth sharing your view/thoughts 3. adults are afraid of looking stupid (and will lie to avoid it).

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In Court's (2018) article, I resonate with the author's idea that their childhood book is a refuge and how our relationship with literature can evolve. It made me think about my favourite childhood book and how it has held different meanings at different points in my life as I reread it. I also like that rewatching a movie that impacted you as a child can have therapeutic effects on you as an adult. I enjoy repeatedly rewatching the same TV shows because I know the outcome and find comfort in watching it. Childhood books have the same effect, and I enjoy the idea that rereading books can offer new insights but still evoke the same familiar emotions.

In Lear's (2014) article, I like the idea that children's literature is not targeted to a certain age group as it holds value for all age groups. Revisiting childhood books as an adult has changed my perspective of the story. The books often bring new meaning, and I understand the author's message more now than I did as a child. This resonates with the idea that there is no golden age for children's literature, as mentioned in the article.

One of my favourite childhood books was “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” by Dr. Seuss. This book held a special place in my heart because my mom read it to me before any new and somewhat scary adventures, like the first day of school or joining a new soccer team. It was a comforting ritual, offering a little pep talk that helped ease my nerves. The book’s encouraging and optimistic tone gave me a boost of confidence and made facing new challenges feel more manageable. Even now, as an adult, the book provides reassurance and inspiration, reminding me of the support and positivity that the book and my mom provided in my childhood. Interesting Coincidence: During my last student teaching placement this past spring, the teacher and students gave me a copy of this book! Each signed it with a sweet message wishing me luck on my teaching journey. Graduating and starting a new teaching career can be quite daunting. Receiving this book was a comforting reminder of my childhood and has reassured me as I embark on this new chapter in my life.

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I find myself on occasion having to remind myself to read new books, and not just reread books I have already read and loved. Maybe this comes from needing comfort from books I already know I enjoy, or desiring the familiarity in the stories and characters, but I sometimes have difficulty wanting to read books I have not read yet. However, no matter how many times I have read a book, I find I take something new from it each time I read it. As Court (2018) describes, there is "an allure to the repetition of rereading", as the rush of wanting to find out what happens next on the first read it over, and you can read at a slower, more relaxed pace upon reread, and discover parts of the book you missed on the first read. Now that I have a child of my own, I am really enjoying reading my childhood favorite books to her and relearning the stories of my childhood. It is interesting, as also discussed by Court (2018), to see which of my childhood books live up to the sentimental memories I have of these books, and which ones disappoint.

I have attached a photo of Elmer by David McKee. I remember loving this book as a young child, and I honestly cannot remember why I liked it so much when I was young. I just remember really liking it. However, now having read this book to my daughter (about 80 times, haha!), I think it has to do with the vivid colours on each page, and the sweet story of the silly natured elephant that just wants to make his friends laugh.

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1) There are many ideas that stood out to me from this weeks’ readings. First, the aspect that not only do we rediscover a story, but we can also rediscover ourselves (Court, 2018). As someone who loves to read (and re-read), watch movies (and re-watch), I never made the connection between the concept of my own repetition and the idea that it may help me believe that a (current) hard time will pass (Lerer, 2014-15).  It made me think about all the books that I had the opportunity to read more than once, and all the lenses I viewed them through as I got older. Had I realized the shift before? Was there a reason that I picked up this book to read again? As I read both articles, I realize now that there is much more that I have yet to discover in books that I have yet to read again; different takeaways, points of view, emotions, messages (Court, 2018). Most of all, I can’t wait to experience and notice what I have learnt from the readings the next time I pick up my favourite children’s book.

2) My favourite book was one that I read in 8th grade, precisely in 2011, titled “Along for the Ride” by Sarah Dessen. I do hope novels are “allowed” for this response (fingers crossed).

Although the book wasn’t a “breakthrough novel” in 2011 and didn’t win any prizes (minus a Netflix movie adaptation in 2022), it certainly won one from me. I remember reading it three times in a row, that same year. It’s interesting to think back because I can’t relate to most of the plot, and perhaps that is why I liked it so much. It pulled me out of my 8th grade funk and placed me at a summer beach house where a girl was learning to ride a bike and falling in love. I think I read it to “escape”, but I also found comfort in the protagonist (Auden). She courageously moved through a summer that was full of surprises, and I wanted to find that courage in myself. I connected with Auden’s fears, her awkward social life, but what I loved most was how she went “Along for the Ride” … and most importantly, that, hopefully one day, maybe I could too.

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1. Much of what was written in the article “What Rereading Childhood Books Teaches Adults About Themselves” resonated with me. It is exciting how, even as adults, we long for the books we read as children and often pick them up. I recently re-read a Geronimo Stilton book that a student brought into class. It made me feel very nostalgic, as if I were in grade 4 again, sitting in the class with my friends and favourite teacher.

From the second article, “For Grown-Ups Too,” one idea resonated: we all interpret the books we read differently. As children whose imagination is expanded through reading, it is exciting to see how each interprets the book or its effect on their lives. I was surprised by Lerer’s comment that adults see children’s books as literal while children experience them differently. This made me think about my favourite series as a child, “Rainbow Magic,” and how as an adult, I do not remember anything except that there were fairies who solved problems. However, as a child with a vivid imagination, these books meant everything, and I had the plots memorized. This touches on Lerer’s next point, which is that children have to explain everything because the way they interpret the stories is far more creative and exciting than adults.

2. I enjoyed reading books as a child. I loved the Rainbow Magic book series, although I do not remember anything from it. I remember being excited about the different fairies and their adventures. This series meant so much to me because my friends and I would gather around each other with a different book and brag about the fairy we chose as if we were embarking on the adventure with them. Each week during library time, we would rush to exchange books and excitedly summarize our previous books with one another. The stories did not leave a mark on me, but rather the memories I created and friendships that formed. I connected to the characters as they tried to solve their problems and imagined myself in the books as I faced my issues. I would pretend to be one of the characters and try to envision what they would do when faced with my problem and act accordingly.

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When reading Court (2018), many ideas resurfaced from my memories of children’s literature. The main idea presented states that reading childhood books in adulthood allow for a sense of comfort and pleasure to arise. The feelings and memories from childhood are brought back when re-reading our favourite books!

It is also stated that as adults reading children’s books, we feel an impact that children may not see just yet.

This made me reminisce on being a child and having my mom read to me. From a very young age, reading was a crucial step in our night time routine. My mom would read to my sister and I every night before bed, the books changing as we did as well. My favourite book series as a child was Junie B. Jones. My mom read this series to my sister and I and kept up with the books, reading one after another. I remember my mother laughing at certain jokes in the book, and now having these books in my classroom library and reading them with my students, I can see why! Although the series is for children, adults can find pleasure in reading it alongside children through the nature of the book.

I connect to the theme that Court (2018) presents on memories resurfacing and finding a feeling of comfort in your favourite childhood book, as well as finding hidden messages that young readers may not find as comical as adults. Junie B. Jones is always one I suggest to students who aren’t sure what they want to read!

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1. Something that stuck with me from Court's (2018) article was the idea that rereading a story as an adult allows us to look at the text through a new lens using our new perspectives on life. Now that I am an adult who has faced much more and learned so many things since I had originally read the book, it means so much more. In their article, Court says, "The takeaways [from rereading a book] are often different too, when reading a book through the lens of adulthood." I personally relate to this quote. I recently reread Charlotte's Web, an old classic that my mom used to read to me. While the emotions from the story remain the same (it is a tearjerker!), I see the story through a far more nuanced lens. This idea, that children's literature is complex and holds valuable lessons that can be taken and used even as adults further relates to the other reading by Lerer (2014). Further, these books offer different interpretations and ways to imagine the story and what it means to you; I believe Charlotte's Web is an emotional tale that will stick with different readers in different ways, especially form childhood to adulthood. The central theme of selflessness and the importance of friendship mean so much more to me now that I have had years to navigate and cultivate meaningful relationships with those around me. The loss in the story and the way Charlotte's legacy lives on through her babies reminds me of losing family members and seeing their essence throughout my life in different ways. The book truly becomes so much more meaningful and allows for a new look at life, as you are pulling out pieces and messages you may have never seen before.

2. As a child, my mom used to read the Junie B. Jones series to my sister and I before bed. The fruitcake story is one of my favourites, as it was one I personally picked out from the Scholastic book fair. However, I loved the series in general for multiple reasons. I loved the time it allowed me to spend with my mom and sister, as it was a nightly routine I always looked forward to. I was also interested in the character's age in the book, so she was relatable to me. She was known for having a bad attitude or being sassy at times, which was something I often got into trouble with my parents about, so I felt just like her! Lastly, the books were funny. As a kid, I loved getting to read something that made me laugh. Due to its funny nature, this series ended up being the first chapter book series I began reading on my own. I thank my mother for introducing it to me and taking the time to get me so invested in it as it ended up sparking my love for reading on my own time- which I still do lots of today!

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1) Court’s (2018) article mentions how our experience of reading books changes each time we revisit them. This idea resonates with me because it shows how we are always evolving, with our experiences shaping our perspectives. While I may lack knowledge on certain subjects, my opinions can shift as I learn more. This also extends to our preconceived notions of others, which change once we get to know the individual.

2)

My favourite book as a child was called “I’m Sorry” by Gina and Mercer Mayer. It tells a story about a child who frequently says sorry without fully grasping its meaning. “Sorry is not enough, you have to be more careful” is a recurring phrase in the book. I have fond memories of my mom reading to me before bed, and it taught me to be more mindful of my actions and their potential impact on others.

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1. While reading Court's (2018) article, I resonated particularly with the idea that sometimes rereading childhood books can bring a sense of disappointment. Sometimes when I think back on some of the books I read growing up, I remember so intensely how reading them stirred something up within me. It only takes one instance of disappointment when rereading a childhood favorite to suddenly doubt if how you felt was valid or true. I sometimes hesitate to make recommendations until I've gone back and reread them as an adult to make sure they contain messages I agree with now.

I agree with Lerer's (2014) point that children's literature includes whatever is read by children. I distinctly remember as a child refusing to read picture books and heading over to the side of the library with thick hardcover books and tiny print. I have experienced this with my second grade class as well - students who become convinced that picture books are "for babies," who bring entire sets of young adult novels to school for morning quiet reading time. It's interesting to learn about the literature that makes up each child's repertoire, and how it reflects the sort of worldbuilding they are creating in their minds.

2. One of my favorite book series to read as a child was The Royal Diaries, in particular the stories of Kazunomiya and Weetamoo. Stories based on historical figures were especially appealing to me as I grew into the latter years of elementary. I think at the time I wanted to step away from princesses and fairytales publicly, but deep down I had such a fascination with them, and enjoying them based on history seemed to be the bridge I needed to justify my interests in reading. Also, like many young people around that age, I was very keen on keeping my own diary, so reading the "diaries" of these long-ago girls gave me inspiration to develop my own writing style.

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1. While reading what stood out for me in Lerer’s article was how childhood is not a fixed concept, but a category defined by social and historical contexts. This suggests that children's literature evolves alongside our understanding of childhood itself. As well as the cultural and social influence that children's literature has in terms of reflecting and shaping cultural and social values over time. It has a role in education and the formation of identity through shared stories. What resonates with me is that children’s literature is not only for entertainment, but it serves as a foundational tool for understanding culture and deeper emotional responses. Lerer article provokes thought about the role children’s literature plays in shaping not only individual identities but also societal values. What stood out for me in the article by Emma Court was the idea that rereading provides a different perspective and deeper understanding of a story as you mature. The observation that rereading helps us reflect on our own lives, memories, and experiences adds depth to this notion. Similarly stated in Lerer’s article emphasizes how literature can serve not just as a form of entertainment but as a tool for personal growth and understanding.

2. As a child, my favourite book was Oh the Places You’ll Go! By Dr. Seuss. This book stood out for me because I was able to connect with the idea that while life might have its ups and downs, it is all part of a bigger adventure. The book’s narrative was filled with playful language and bright imagery, which showed the excitement felt while growing up. It made me feel as though the future was a vast and exciting place filled with opportunities. This book captured the essence of adventure and the challenges of life in a way that was both attainable and accessible for children.

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What stood out from the Court (2018) and Lerer (2014) readings was the core idea that rereading childhood books can reveal deeper meaning behind the story that was probably missed when the stories were first read as a child. By rereading childhood books, we can see the moral behind the story and reconnect with an earlier version of ourselves. Both readings discuss how when you reread a story from childhood or the past, it can bring up old memories and thoughts, which in turn show us how much we've grown as a person.

These two readings resonated with me because I can relate to these core ideas daily. As a current educator, I read stories aloud to my students daily. The stories I often read to students are from when I was a student their age. By rereading these children's picture books and stories, I realized many morals and ideas I never thought of as a child. Rereading these stories with my current students shows how much I have learned, progressed, and changed as a person over the years, and it feels nostalgic to reread these stories! My favorite books growing up were anything by Robert Munsch, but if I had to choose one, I would select Smelly Socks!

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From the two articles, Court’s (2018) resonated with me quite a bit, especially in regard to the idea of children’s books being a space for us to reflect on the journey that has been our life. It has been a long time since, if ever, I have looked at a children’s book from this perspective. My earliest experience with children’s books has been that of a child and since then, a teacher, wondering which text would best fit a certain lesson or connect well with my students. This idea has definitely opened up my mind and heart to the opportunity which children’s books provide us with and that the connection we feel to it, still permeates through adulthood.

In terms of the second reading, I found the discussion surrounding ordinary prose and its ability to take life through read-alouds to be eye-opening for me (Lerer 2015, p. 41). This is a notion which I have not spent much time thinking about but now that I come to hear of it, I can understand and deeply relate the power of repetition and the way in which words and stories hold voices which can move us to unimaginable places.

I remember far and few books from when I was a child in my primary years, although my love for reading has always existed. While I can recall picture books I enjoyed such as The Very Hungry Caterpillar and any mystery novel written by Norah McClintock, a book I remember most vividly in terms of what it made me feel was Losing Forever by Gayle Friesen. I have not revisited this book since I first read it, and I spent quite a while searching to find it again as I could not put my name on it for many years. However, the cover depicting a young girl taking a leap into the world awaiting her, and the story of her navigating a host of family issues over the course of a summer break will always stick with me.

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I really resonate with the part in Lerer (2015) where it says, “grown-ups never understand anything by themselves, and it is tiresome for children to be always and forever explaining things to them.” I also connect with the idea that “different groups of readers may see different things, and what grown-ups find as ordinary items of experience may transform in the child’s imagination into monstrous brilliance.” This made me reflect on how students in China can protect their creativity and imagination when they’re young. As Chinese students, we are often required to provide definite answers to almost all questions in literacy classes. For example, a typical question might be, “What is the author’s purpose in saying this?” Even though it's an open-ended question, there is a “correct” answer we must identify to get a good score. Throughout my school years, I was trained to guess the answer that the adult creating the question expected, rather than enjoying the reading and critically thinking about it. I never really enjoyed reading articles from textbooks because my ideas and interpretations were neither appreciated nor encouraged.

What stood out to me in Court (2018) was the observation that the takeaways from reading a book can be very different in childhood compared to adulthood. I remember a picture book I read when I was around 8 years old called Black Cat Detective. One story in it involved a female mantis eating the male mantis after their wedding, which I found horrifying. When I revisited the story in college, I realized that the end of the story explained that the mantis ate the male for reproductive reasons. I didn’t grasp this when I was younger, and I wish the author had included a scientific explanation at the end of the book.

My favorite books as a child were Snow White and Cinderella. I loved all the Disney stories where the main characters could communicate with animals. I was always jealous of their ability to understand and talk to animals. I also enjoyed how the stories always ended with evil being defeated and the kind characters living happily ever after. These stories depicted a simple and lovely world that I adored, but I later realized that it wasn’t quite as true in real life.