Charlie and I was spending time last night in his room hanging out and Charlie began to talk about when he was #Homeschooling. As we talked Charlie and I began to discuss some of his favorite books, aand the funny lunches we used to have, and memories of reading together.
For the first time in a long time Charlie and I discussed what I’ve been sharing on the blog including what used to be out 30 Minutes of Reading: and how I wanted to help families Create a Habit One Page at a Time challenge! As we talked Charlie explained how hard it is for him to read for 30 minutes at a time.
I was able to let Charlie know I had changed the challenge to 10 minutes of reading to make it easier for children to get there reading done. Once Charlie heard how it had changed he said he wanted to join as well. For a mom of someone who hates reading this was amazing.
I would like to continue our week of reading with one of Charlie and Suzzane’s favorite childhood book series: Henry and Mudge. We would like to invite you to come and spend time not only with my family but also with Henry, his best dog friend Mudge, and all the little adventures they find themselves in.
Charlie is excited to go with me to the library to look for this book because it has a special place in our family because it combines two things that have always been important around here: family and food and the book we’ve choosen to read this week is Henry and Mudge and the Funny Lunch.
For my family this book isn’t just another children’s book on our reading list. I used to read the Henry and Mudge books to Charlie and Suzzane. This was Charlie’s very favorite Henry and Mudge book. They are the kinds of books I love coming across again—the ones that aren’t just stories anymore. They become little time capsules.
You can pick up the book years later and suddenly remember a child sitting beside you, listening to the story, turning the pages, and laughing at the same parts every time. That’s one of the reasons I believe reading together is so important. We aren’t only reading words we’re making memories.
In this Ready-to-Read adventure, Henry and Mudge are getting ready to make Henry’s mother a very special Mother’s Day lunch. And they’re not settling for an ordinary lunch. They want something juicy, crunchy, and perfect for the whole family to share. With Henry’s dad helping, they choose a gorgeous golden pineapple and begin creating something that’s almost too pretty to eat.
Of course, there’s just one little problem. There’s a certain dog named Mudge who thinks the surprise looks—and probably smells—pretty delicious! That combination of Henry, Mudge, Dad, Mom, and food makes this such a fun family story. And yes, David has always liked this one too, because it involves lunch—and you know how much a man who loves his food appreciates a good lunch story!
One of the things I want this reading challenge to remind us of is that reading doesn’t have to be complicated. A children’s book can give us 30 minutes of reading. A chapter book can give us 30 minutes of reading. A cookbook can give us 30 minutes of reading. A book we remember from childhood can give us 30 minutes of reading.
The important thing is that we’re making time to read. And sometimes, going back to a book we loved years ago is exactly what we need to remind ourselves why we loved reading in the first place. There’s another reason I picked Henry and Mudge and the Funny Lunch for this week.
We’re in the middle of back-to-school season, and Henry and Mudge are wonderful books to have tucked into a child’s reading routine. They’re approachable, fun, and filled with familiar experiences that children can connect with. And this particular story gets us thinking about something else children experience every school day: lunch!
It makes me think this book belongs in more than just our reading challenge. I could easily see Henry and Mudge books becoming part of a Back-to-School Gift Guide, a Summer Gift Guide, or even a Christmas Gift Guide/ Wish List as we help Santa load the Sleigh this year..
A book is one of those gifts that doesn’t need batteries, doesn’t take up much room, and can become a memory long after the wrapping paper is gone. See if you can find Henry and Mudge and the Funny Lunch and spend your 10 minutes with them. If your hungry grab some Pineapple and have lunch with them.
If you have children at home, read it together. If you have grandchildren, read it with them. And if you’re an adult who remembers these books from years ago, don’t be afraid to pick one up again. You may discover that you’re not just reading a children’s book. You’re remembering a child. You’re remembering a family member.You’re remembering a moment. And sometimes those are the very best reasons to turn the page.
One thing I wanted to remind you about our challenge is you don’t have to buy every book to participate in our reading challenge. Check your local library first. That’s one of my favorite ways to discover children’s books, especially when you’re looking for an entire series.
And if you decide you want to add Henry and Mudge to your home library, you can find the books through your favorite bookseller. At local stores and even Walmart at times. Come and join Charlie and I and lets go see if the Library has this book or other Henry and Mudge books we can read
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Come and join us this morning for a new day in our 10 minute reading challenge. Today isn’t about finishing an entire book. It’s about spending 30 minutes reading. It’s about creating a habit. It’s about putting aside a little time for a story. And maybe, just maybe, it’s about creating a memory that someone will still remember years from now.
That’s what happened with Henry and Mudge in our family. Charlie loved this one.Suzzane heard these stories too. David remembers the lunch. And now, years later, we’re talking about Henry and Mudge again. That’s the magic of a good book. It doesn’t always stay on the bookshelf. Sometimes it becomes part of the family.
Tomorrow, we’ll turn another page and continue our 10 Minutes of Reading: Creating a Habit One Page at a Time challenge.
Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed
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Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
