Bedtime Stories 101

Since Alison was only a few months old, one of my greatest joys has been time spent with a book in my hands and my daughter on my lap. Early on, of course, it was mainly about time spent together as she listened to the repetition of Eric Carle or the rhythm of Dr. Seuss and learned that an entire world could exist between the covers of a book.

As she grew older, the content actually started to matter, and this was exciting. Suddenly she had favorite books, like Curious George and Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb, and she applied her values to the characters we encountered. It wasn't very nice, for instance, when the Cat in the Hat made such a mess, and it was rude when Goldilocks walked into the Three Bears' house when they weren't at home. In short, she was becoming a reader.

And here's where I took the opportunity to brain wash my daughter. When I think about it, I realize that there are only two interests which have been constants in my life for the past thirty years: reading and sports. So why not pass them both on to my daughter? So I slowly started to introduce her to both of my loves during our bedtime reading sessions. I don't force these books on her, but it certainly warms my heart when she chooses them herself.

The list is below. I recommend them all, but I'd be more interested in what kind of brainwashing others are doing out there. What kind of agenda are you pushing, and are you having any luck?

Anyway, here's our syllabus so far, with more certainly on the way:

Girl Wonder: A Baseball Story in Nine Innings
Author: Deborah Hopkinson
Illustrator: Terry Widener

This is the true story of Alta Weiss, a young girl who played semi-pro baseball in the early 1900's. Vivid artwork helps tell Alta's tale as she spends her youth playing for various barnstorming baseball teams, eventually earning enough money to pay for medical school. The message is clear even to a five-year-old: follow your dreams, no matter what people might say. Alison likes this one, and when we finish she usually asks if we can play baseball in the backyard the next day.

Lou Gehrig: The Luckiest Man
Author: David A. Adler
Illustrator: Terry Widener

When you start with material like this, you really can't go wrong. There's enough about his baseball career to let kids know that he was one of the best ever, but the narrative mainly focuses on Gehrig's courage in the face of his illness and eventual death. The first time I read it to Alison, we talked about how the pictures towards the end of the book matched the sadness of the story, and I tried not to let her see when I wiped away a tear or two.

Allie's Basketball Dream
Author: Barbara E. Barber
Illustrator: Darryl Ligasan

This book was a can't miss before we even opened the cover. It's a story about a little brown-skinned girl named Allie who loves basketball -- just like my Alison. We first read this book about a year ago, but since Alison has started playing basketball, we've discovered it again. The story teaches lessons about friendship, perseverance, and self-confidence, and the pictures are beautiful.

I Shook Up the World: The Incredible Life of Muhammad Ali
Author: Maryum "May May" Ali
Illustrator: Patrick Johnson

Muhammad Ali was always my favorite boxer, and I have a vivid memory of crying on the night he lost to Leon Spinks when I was eight years old. This book tells his story well, beginning with his childhood and extending through his boxing career, paying special attention to his conversion to Islam, anti-war sentiments, and the firestorm which ensued. Overall, though, the message is that there are no dreams which are too big. Leslie and I met the author, Muhammad Ali's daughter, at the LA Times Festival of Books last spring, and she signed the book with this inscription: You too can shake up the world!

Just Like Josh Gibson
Author: Angela Johnson
Illustrator: Beth Peck

This is another work of fiction that focuses on a young black girl whose father taught her to play baseball just like Josh Gibson, a Negro League star who was one of the greatest players in baseball history. The girl is one of the better players around, but just like Gibson was prevented from playing in the major leagues because of the color of his skin, she isn't allowed to play on her cousin's team because she's a girl. One day, though, she gets her chance. This is another of Alison's favorites; we read it just last night.

Satchel Paige
Author: Lesa Cline-Ransome
Illustrator: James E. Ransome

We haven't read this book yet, but I'm looking forward to it. It tells the story of another great player from the Negro Leagues, Satchell Paige, who is famous for this singular piece of advice: "Don't look back, something might be gaining on you." Paige never did look back as he pitched professionally deep into his forties, becoming one of the few Negro League starts to play in the major leagues. The book is comprehensive, and the paintings that grace the pages are beautiful.

Wilma Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolph Became the World's Fastest Woman
Author: Kathleen Krull
Illustrator: David Díaz

When young Wilma Rudolph was almos five years old, she was stricken with scarlet fever and polio. Doctors weren't certain if she would live, but if she did, they were quite sure she would never walk again. She did live, and not only did she walk, she ran. In fact, she won three gold medals in the 1960 Olympics in Rome. You can't make up stories like this.

Shoeless Joe and Black Betsy
Author: Phil Bildner
Illustrator: C.F. Payne

Without question, Shoeless Joe is the greatest player who is not in the Baseball Hall of Fame, and he named his bat Black Betsy. Jackson was a legendary hitter, but his dubious connection to a group of players who conspired to throw the 1919 World Series blackened his name and still keeps him on baseball's banned list, right along with Pete Rose. This is another one we haven't yet read, because it's fairly long, but it tells the story of a man who loved hitting a baseball more than anything in the world.

Comments

[David]

Thanks to Metro dad's brainwashing, I've been reading some of your posts. Congratulations on a great blog.
I'm happy if my kids read or want to be read to. Full stop. Anything will do as long as they get the bug. As far as my oldest son is concerned, it's Harry Potter that has got him off and running on his own. I, however have a slight prejudice against the fantasy genre, worrying that he might get stuck in his bedroom as a teenager, caught in a world of books and computer games and dubious hygenic standards. So I tried an English adventure classic: Enid Blyton's Famous Five. That was like turning back the clock of social equality 50 years. Too depressing for me. Of the alternatives to Potter, Roald Dahl has been great (The BFG!) and the books by Eva Ibbertson. I just don't want him to become a hobbit.

[cry it out]

Satchel, shoeless joe, Josh Gibson - best. dad. ever. Great tips!

Mike