2012: The Summer of Swine
Although I have read to my now 10 year old daughter since she was a wee babe, this summer we have finally moved into her listening to (and enjoying) longer chapter type books. With my daughter’s severe expressive/receptive language disorder, reading long blocks of text to her and keeping her engaged in the story has been a challenge. With some further growth in her language abilities, I was hopeful that we could progress into more complex books for story time, especially in her ability to listen, understand and enjoy the stories.
One of Hannah’s favorite books from the library summer reading program in 2007 was Bed Hogs, 
and it remains a favorite of ours to this day, so I decided to stay with the swine theme for jumping into our expanded story time. First up was a classic: Charlotte’s Web.
I vividly recall listening to my 3rd grade teacher read Charlotte’s Web to my class, and being quite dismayed when we could only have one chapter a day after recess (and only if the whole class settled down quickly). I was 
transported through the words of E.B. White to Zuckerman’s farm and experienced the tribulations of Wilbur as Charlotte launched a media campaign to save his life. I also recall being terribly sad when the book was over and we could no longer visit Wilbur everyday. Earlier this week after I finished reading Charlotte’s Web to Hannah, she commented to me as we were seeking another book at the library, that she missed Wilbur and Charlotte – a significant display of comprehension!
The book we just started is Babe: The Gallant Pig. While I have seen the movie Babe, I must admit that I am finding the story in the book to be much more endearing. Hannah is enjoying the story as well, and asked for extra chapters this afternoon. 
Where our swine-themed summer reading program will go from here, I don’t know yet, but I am very glad that my daughter is both enjoying and comprehending the stories in these more complex books. Even though she is quite capable of reading to herself (and comprehends better when she does the reading), I am glad she is learning to take in a story through verbal communication.
Oink. Oink. Sooey!
OneMom
I loved reading this post. First, I’m so happy that your little gal is having a wonderful time listening to these awesome books. I remember as a child the joy of listening to my teacher read and how bummed I would get if the class spoiled it for us and we didn’t get to listen as long as I would have liked!
I’m wondering, where will you go next in your piggy journey? Or will you branch out to other animals?
I remember how much I enjoyed the illustrations of Charlotte’s Web. The name of the artist escapes me (I should go google him) – he did many wonderful children’s books illustrations. Garth somebody?
Thanks for sharing, OM – so glad to read of Hannah’s further blossoming.
If I can find another interesting book with a pig-theme we’ll probably continue. I am also thinking about Stuart Little (another EB White classic) and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Just left a comment – must add: I only needed to scroll up to see the name of the illustrator! Garth Williams
I should pay more attention to the photos while reading your blog. Hmmm – wondering where my first comment is? Perhaps you field them first before posting. Have a blessed Sunday.
Hi Susan – for some reason your comments got tossed into the spam filter (odd since you are a regular commenter and yours post automatically). Good thing I check the spam before emptying it.
My 2nd grade teacher read 2 books to us. Charlotte’s web and Old Yeller. I was so embarrassed because I cried during both. They were really great stories.
Cindy – Old Yeller … no way I could do that one.
I know. I refuse to watch the movie when it comes on TV. It’s just too sad. Although they’ve tried to soften it up now by adding a puppy in the end that’s supposed to be Old Yeller’s offspring. That doesn’t help me!
What about the Good, Good Pig?
“Christopher Hogwood came home on my lap in a shoebox. He was a creature who would prove in many ways to be more human than I am.”
–from The Good Good Pig
A naturalist who spent months at a time living on her own among wild creatures in remote jungles, Sy Montgomery had always felt more comfortable with animals than with people. So she gladly opened her heart to a sick piglet who had been crowded away from nourishing meals by his stronger siblings. Yet Sy had no inkling that this piglet, later named Christopher Hogwood, would not only survive but flourish–and she soon found herself engaged with her small-town community in ways she had never dreamed possible. Unexpectedly, Christopher provided this peripatetic traveler with something she had sought all her life: an anchor (eventually weighing 750 pounds) to family and home.
The Good Good Pig celebrates Christopher Hogwood in all his glory, from his inauspicious infancy to hog heaven in rural New Hampshire, where his boundless zest for life and his large, loving heart made him absolute monarch over a (mostly) peaceable kingdom. At first, his domain included only Sy’s cosseted hens and her beautiful border collie, Tess. Then the neighbors began fetching Christopher home from his unauthorized jaunts, the little girls next door started giving him warm, soapy baths, and the villagers brought him delicious leftovers. His intelligence and fame increased along with his girth. He was featured in USA Today and on several National Public Radio environmental programs. On election day, some voters even wrote in Christopher’s name on their ballots.
But as this enchanting book describes, Christopher Hogwood’s influence extended far beyond celebrity; for he was, as a friend said, a great big Buddha master. Sy reveals what she and others learned from this generous soul who just so happened to be a pig–lessons about self-acceptance, the meaning of family, the value of community, and the pleasures of the sweet green Earth. The Good Good Pig provides proof that with love, almost anything is possible.
That’s a good thought Cat, but “good good pig” is likely way out of Hannah’s comprehension (Amazon lists it as adult/high school). We continue our search.
Great, I love it!
Oddly, this post just hit my Google Reader this morning, so I’m late to the party. That’s been happening a lot lately with your posts. I don’t know if there’s an RSS thing. Anyway … I’m not ignoring you.
Ken Leonard recently posted..Quote of the Day – 1/3/2012
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