Q: Do you remember having a favorite nursery rhyme or bedtime story? What was it?
A: We had an old, hand-me-down, avocado green sofa in our living room, and some of my earliest memories are of curling up next to my mom with my brother on her other side while she read to us before bed. It was during these story times that she introduced us to books such as The Chronicles of Narnia, Little House On the Prairie, Anne of Green Gables, Pippi Longstockings, and The Boxcar Children. I have no doubt that my ongoing love/obsession of reading originated on that green couch listening to my mom's voice.
Some nights we had a special treat when my dad was home and would tell us stories from his experiences while serving as a missionary in Argentina for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He had only been a member of the Church for a short time before leaving home and essentially paving his own way to live as a full-time missionary. I didn't understand the sacrifices he made until much later. At that time, I mostly appreciated it for the stories he told which I never tired of hearing.
Fast forward to my own parenting years, and a favorite children's book of mine remains Goodnight Moon. I recall growing up with that one as well, but I particularly liked reading it to my kids when they were little. One reason, I'm sure, was that it's short enough that after a long, tiring day you can get through it without expending too much energy. But more than that, there is something soothing about the simple sentences and engaging and repetitive artwork.
