Growing up, books were a constant companion in our home. There were books in all corners of the house, piled one on top of another like organized clutter.
The whole family was big on reading. I’d go through my Mom’s romance and mystery novels, my Dad’s business books, and eventually built my own collection of books. While they were mostly bubblegum reading at first (think Sweet Valley and Archie comics), I’m happy my parents indulged me because it still helped build my love for reading. Then again maybe they let me read those because I balanced it out with the Nancy Drew mysteries and Childcraft encyclopedias I lapped up too.
It fills my heart then that at a very early age, I can tell my 7-month-old son has a love for books. Place a toy and a book before him, and he’ll go for the book. If he’s fretful, give him a book and he’ll be occupied for a long time. If he wants to play, he’ll reach for a book. While he does play with his toys, books seem to interest him more. Sometimes he’d want you to read it to him, sometimes he can pore through the book on his own.
I’d say that Timmy loves to read, but of course I can’t, as he doesn’t know how yet. Perhaps the illustration of words fascinates him, as he gravitates to even books without pictures. Newspapers and menus hold his attention too, and he never fails to look seriously interested in what they present to him. He even reads while taking a bath!
How could his love affair with words have started? Reading to him while he was in my womb could have started this youngster’s love for words. Maybe it was my reading aloud to him as early as a month old. He got an earful not only of children’s takes, but of adult books like “The Lost Symbol” by Dan Brown and “The Wedding” by Nicholas Sparks. Lately I’ve been reading Charlaine Harris’ “Dead Until Dark” to him, while of course omitting the racy parts! Maybe the bookworm trait is just innate to him, just like most of his family. Naturally, they, we, are all elated!
I never leave home without a book. And now, I never leave home without TWO books — one for me, one for Timmy. It’s fun knowing I share an interest with my child. Reading to him, and understanding that he listens, is a priceless moment I wouldn’t trade for anything.
Our home still has books in all corners, and now there are even more! Baby books are in every room — in his crib, on the coffee table, on his high chair in the kitchen… Sure the piles of books may have increased, but so has the happiness at home.
This small boy is big on reading, and what a joy that is!
Hi! I'm Toni Tiu,
and I've been blogging at
at Wifely Steps since 2003. This started as a blog to help newly weds adjust to married life. It has evolved into a home and parenting blog. I write about things close to my heart -- good eats, good reads, family, marriage, and the little things that make everyday happy.
ibyang
April 14, 2010 at 2:10 pm (14 years ago)it really helps when a child grows up in a family/clan that reads books. i grew up being surrounded by books and family and relatives who love to read books. i vividly remember that one of my bonding moments with my mom was reading a book together before i go to bed.
very cute photos of timmy–i saw this in FB and i was so aliw. nakakatuwa talaga ang baby mo
.-= ibyang´s last blog ..Hen’s Party at The Tea Room, Drinks at The Royal George =-.
limo
April 14, 2010 at 7:25 pm (14 years ago)I love to read novels, advertisements,stories. but my 7 year old son don’t like to read ..and that is so sad for me..
aloi
April 14, 2010 at 9:09 pm (14 years ago)what sweet photos of timmy! it’s great that he’s enjoying books. pretty soon he’ll figure out that they’re meant to be read… and i know all about your family’s love of books … i met patti on bookmooch ;P
.-= aloi´s last blog ..Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, the movie! =-.
kat
April 15, 2010 at 4:44 am (14 years ago)oh so cute!! love the pics!
timmy will be an avid reader like his mom! like you, i also grew up with books around the house. i read stephen king by the time i was 10 and i was terrified!! i also had a collection of SVH books and archie comics! and my kids have tons of books –they too reach for books all the time. this is why bedtime takes forever; i have to read like 4-5 books each night!
.-= kat´s last blog ..project 365 – day 50: 16 & pregnant =-.
sheng
April 15, 2010 at 7:01 am (14 years ago)That’s so cool. My kids love to read as well, and we have them as clutter everywhere. Two houeses filled with books, hayyy naku, the fact is, sometimes i cannot keep up with all the kalat.
.-= sheng´s last blog ..Summer Awaits, But Then Again… =-.
kayni
April 15, 2010 at 11:50 pm (14 years ago)timmy’s so cute. looks like he is a bookworm…lol.
.-= kayni´s last blog ..A Piece Of My Mind =-.
Kittymama
April 17, 2010 at 7:02 pm (14 years ago)And he does look like he’s really reading! LOL
(Hello, baby Timmy!)
One of the first words my eldest ever learned was “book” and he’s been hooked into books since “Goodnight Moon” by Margaret Wise Brown and “Country Animals” by Lucy Cousins. It’s always a great idea to encourage them to pick up the habit. I think it’s one of the best gifts we can give our children.
witsandnuts
April 18, 2010 at 3:39 pm (14 years ago)I loved the collage! I can see a handsome bookworm in the making!
.-= witsandnuts´s last blog ..Chashu and Gunkan =-.
emily the train
April 21, 2010 at 11:38 am (14 years ago)That right there is a lovely piece a work. What did you use to put that collage together?
rowie
April 21, 2010 at 2:04 pm (14 years ago)yummy timmy! fantastic collage.
.-= rowie´s last blog ..Mompreneur Manila. =-.
ree
April 29, 2010 at 6:06 pm (14 years ago)what fantastic pictures! looks like timmy’s got a headstart on reading. so cool!
.-= ree´s last blog ..Water Baby! =-.
asian lamps
October 26, 2010 at 4:03 am (14 years ago)That’s really cute and you are very creative!