by Karyn Clemons

Created on: May 12, 2009

As an elementary school teacher, I often say that it is my job to read children's literature. This is a great excuse to load up on children's books whenever I go to the library, and also an excuse to read my own childhood favorites again. Sometimes I can use these books in my own classroom, but often I read them to see if the magic is still there.

I have discovered that when I reread books that I loved as a child, I realize how deep the themes of the book are. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe became more than just a story about four children and their adventures in Narnia, but now was a battle between good and evil, sinful nature and the new self. Even though I have the ability to discover the deep meanings in children's books when I read them as an adult, they are much less thrilling. I do find myself right next to Lucy as she wanders into the wardrobe for the first time, but now I am with her as a cautious adult instead of a thrill-seeking child. The first time this happened to me, I felt like I had lost a friend. These books that I loved so much were still a comfort to me. I could still recognize that they were well-written but something was missing.

I have found that one way to bring the magic back to a book is to read it to a child. Every day in my classroom, I read aloud to my students. I choose books that I think the children will love, that we can discuss after I finish reading them, and that I have read and adored in the past. While I read aloud to them, I watch their faces fill with wonder and see them transported into enchanted kingdoms and exotic lands. I may not be able to transport myself in the same way I could when I was eight, but I can give this gift to children who have not been jaded by the problems of the world quite yet.

The children's literature department is still the area in the library that I visit first. I often watch children picking through books themselves or talking to each other about books that they have read and enjoyed. This is when I begin to feel thankful to my teachers and parents for giving me magical books to read. These books led me into a life-long relationship with literature, a relationship that I am thankful for every day. I hope that by introducing children to books that have influenced me, I can give them a love for reading. For loving reading will ensure that they will always desire to know more and to discover new books. This love will help them through problems and boring days and will lead them to a future that is full of mystery and intrigue.

Learn more about this author, Karyn Clemons.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.