Happily Every Afters

Aaron and I have been reading quite a few fairy tales recently. As a grown up, I'm now wondering why these stories with plots involving theft/manslaughter (Jack and the Beanstalk), murder (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs) and kidnapping (Hansel and Gretel) are such old favorites. Perhaps its because there sometimes is a moral to be learned at the end. However, these stories are usually told to young children that don't question the behavior and so the grown ups may not need to address the darker themes. The happily-ever-afters at the end resolve any of the tensions that a child might feel.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not keeping Aaron away from fairy tales. We love them! When I'm in the mood, I do try to talk about whats right or wrong in the stories.

The one that I seem to have most issues with is actually 'Jack and the Beanstalk'. The beans led Jack to the giant's home. He then broke into the home, stole from the giant and in the end killed him! Is that not a violent story? Jack and his mother may have lived happily ever after but what about the giant's wife?

As a child, my favorite was 'The Princess and the Pea'. I have no idea why. Maybe it was the easiest way to marry a prince. The other ways involved lots of hard work and a fairy godmother (Cinderella), dying (Snow White and Sleeping Beauty) or kissing a frog (The Frog Prince).

Two of my least favorite ones are 'The Little Mermaid' and 'The Little Match Girl'. The Disney version of 'The Little Mermaid' has a happily-ever-after but thirty years ago, my little Ladybird book had the mermaid going up to the heavens. While I only disliked 'The Little Mermaid', because of the ending, I can honestly say that I hated the story of 'The Little Match Girl'. After the first time, I never wanted it read to me and I never read it again. A story about a little girl who died selling matches in the cold is not exactly a comforting story to go to bed with. I saw the story in a new book that somebody gave Aaron but I haven't read it to him yet.

For tonight, I'll be going to bed with the name 'Dummling' in my head. In case you've forgotten, its from 'The Golden Goose'.

Over to you now, which fairy tales did you like or dislike?

Back In The Swing Of Reading

Peter.

(turn page)

Jane.

(turn page)

Pat.

Anybody know where those words come from? I call them the 'Peter and Jane' books, because they are all about Peter and Jane (and sometimes their dog, Pat). I still see them around these days but I have no desire to introduce them to Aaron. They were what my mother used to teach us to read but they were dull. There are plenty of other more interesting books available to us now.

I didn't like that series of books but once I got the hang of reading, I read all day long. I have a very distinct memory of a beach holiday with my family where I spent almost the entire time reading. The particular book was literally the size of a phone book!

When we moved to Brisbane (the first time), I got my first taste of libraries. My mother doesn't believe in buying books so the library was like heaven for me. My library card was always maxed out! I read before, after and in between classes at school. Each evening, I'd rush through my homework so that I could get to the real reading. Later at night, I would read in the bathroom so that my mother wouldn't know that I was still awake, and reading.

And then I moved back to Malaysia and there was no more reading.

There aren't any libraries worth going to there. And bookstores? Well, lets just say my mother did a good job brainwashing us with the notion that it was a waste of money to pay money for books when there were libraries. Yes, I know there were no libraries in Malaysia but I was completely brainwashed. The funny thing was that she ended up buying me the odd book now and then.

When we were in Palembang, I started buying books again. Not for me but for Aaron because I felt that we spent so much time in the house that we absolutely needed our own library. So, he's got a mini library.

And now, I've returned to the good old days of reading at every spare moment (apart from when I blog). We go to the library nearly twice a week so between Aaron and I, the house is dotted with books.

So what have I read lately? Usually, I look out for books on babies and young children. So far, two parenting authors that I've really liked are Elizabeth Pantley and Dr William Sears. Yesterday I borrowed "Family First" by Dr Phil McGraw...we'll see how that goes.

I also go for a lot of the cooking books and books on nutrition. Craft books also frequently catch my eye although I never actually find the time to make anything. Its still nice to look through and feel briefly inspired.

In the past, I usually zoomed in on the fiction section first. Twenty years later I now try to limit myself to just one book of fiction a week so that my already scarce reading time can be used for other types of books. So last week, I went for the very mainstream with "The Lost Symbol" by Dan Brown. I enjoyed it but I think I might have built up too much expectation for it after having waiting so long to get my hands on a copy.

I've made it a goal each week to borrow a book on a topic that I wouldn't usually pick. It doesn't matter if I don't end up enjoying it, at least it helps open my mind. This week I picked up PaintShop Pro for Dummies. I wonder how far I'll get with that...

The library is the most wonderful place on earth with books on every topic imaginable. Here's a cute little poem on it.

I've traveled the world twice over,
Met the famous; saints and sinners,
Poets and artists, kings and queens,
Old stars and hopeful beginners,
I've been where no-one's been before,
Learned secrets from writers and cooks
All with one library ticket
To the wonderful world of books.
~ Anonymous ~