Books from school

These lovely unusual flowers arrived a few days ago from a friend, what a vivid colour! 

I was also pleased to receive this book in the post, in a competition.  I will be able to use this in my work with digital bereavement for Social Embers. 

I didn't have much time to look at it when it arrived as I had tickets for the encore of Hamlet that evening at our local Odeon Cinema.

I enjoyed it, having never seen if before and no idea of the story. 

I had a quick read of the storyline on Google before I went, which helped to follow the plot. 

I was amazed how many lines Benedict Cumberbatch had to learn, how does he remember them all?

Everyone seems to study at least one Shakespeare play at school, mine was Macbeth.

I remember being quite excited at the time as it included a trip to London, to see it performed. I don't remember so much about that trip, other than it included an interactive lesson, that had us taking part and going up on the stage.

I went to watch the recent film and have to say that some of the quotes suddenly seemed familiar, and I have not seen it in the mean time so I must have been listening for some of the lesson.

My class read John Wyndham's The Day of the Triffids, and Lord of the flies by William Golding, I also remember enjoying HE Bates Fair Stood the Wind for France.

We also studied Thomas Hardy's short story The Withered Arm, which I intend to read again, to see if I was paying attention in those lessons too!

I remember enjoying poetry classes, but I am not able to remember what we studied.

I do however remember, singing the Wraggle Taggle Gypsies O on the stage, I can still remember the tune! I have linked a lovely version by Alison Moyet via You Tube.

Which were your favourite books from school?

First books

What is the first book that you remember reading by yourself?

I remember having books read to me, when I was very young,  and I listened to an audio version of my first book, which came with a record in the back of the sleeve. That particular book is now considered racist,  it was called 'The story of Little Black Sambo'  by Helen Bannerman. I did not buy it for my children as I agreed that it was unsuitable, however, I remember it fondly, and I particularly remember a tiger running around and around a tree until he eventually turned in to butter, a vision that I still picture now when I think about it.

I loved Rupert annuals that were always bought for me as Christmas presents, and with so many lovely pictures to look at, Rupert and his friends were a very important part of my childhood imagination.

Mrs Tiggywinkle was a favourite, I had 2 small hardback books written by Beatrix Potter, the other was the Tale of Squirrel Nutkin.

Enid Blyton of course was popular, and I remember my mother encouraging me to read 'The Mountain of Adventure', which I think is my earliest memory of reading a whole book.

My Gran kept annuals for her grandchildren to look at when I slept over, and they contained comic strips and short stories which I enjoyed. I think she also had Brer Rabbit stories, and I was always permitted to take the books to bed, but never to take them home, that way they remained special Nanny's house books.

I remember my Dad telling me he was going to read me Robinson Crusoe. I remember him starting it, but I don't think it got finished. I had the top of bunk beds, so it would have been tricky for him to read to me in bed, and I am sure it did the trick getting me off to sleep, as I have no recollection of the story, I will put Daniel Defoe on my read-again list.

A book that I do remember reading alone was 'Gobbolino the Witches Cat'. My parents enjoyed sailing, and sometimes we sailed to France from Weymouth. I remember reading 'Gobbolino' while snuggled in a pipe cot berth on the return journey. I did purchase that one for my daughter and I think she enjoyed it too.
The copy that I remember had a pink cover, and I found it here on Goodreads.

In my next blog post I am going to have a think about which books I can remember from my school days. I would love to hear which books you think you read first, and if you would still buy them for children now?