Children's Book Monday

{If you think of us today, kind friends, would you consider sending up a prayer on our behalf? It is the first day of a new school year, and we are so excited- but somehow, I feel less prepared than usual... with fruit trees full and garden ripe, canning and baking are consuming my thoughts, so I'm praying for focus and fluidity and letting go of the unnecessary and lots of learning and even more laughter!}

Tomie dePaola has long been a household name in the world of children's books, and this household is no exception. Imagine my surprise when, on our last library visit, my husband came across a title we had never read! Sure enough, the tears and joy and surprise we all feel when we share this story are standard dePaola fare.

Now One Foot, Now the Other
by Tomie dePaola

A tiny baby is born, and he is named Bobby. His delighted grandfather declares that, since it will take probably three years for Bobby to be able to say Grandpa, he will teach him to say Bob instead. Sure enough, Bob is Bobby's first word!

Bob teaches Bobby to walk, and they love to build block towers and sneeze them down. And whenever Bobby wants to hear a story, he asks Bob to tell it; his favorite is the one about when Bob taught him to walk. Now one foot, now the other. And before you knew it...

When Bob has a stroke, and it takes months before he can come home again, Bobby is afraid when Bob doesn't appear to recognize him, nor is he able to legibly talk, much less tell stories. But when Bobby remembers the love he has for his grandfather, he chooses to do everything the same as before.

He builds block towers for Bob to "sneeze" down, and soon, his grandfather can say Bobby just as clear as anything. Bobby helps Bob hold his spoon, and soon he can almost feed himself, but he still can't walk. One day when they are sitting outside together, and Bobby is telling Bob stories, his grandfather slowly stands, and asks Bobby to help him walk.

And when you turn to the last page with your little ones and start to read only you can't because your voice is cracking and your heart is breaking and you look in their eyes and know they're feeling the same way, well, you're in good company.

It's that good. That precious, that sweet. Just like Mr. dePaola.

Happy Reading!