What was the first childhood book you read cover to cover?
Not including cute picture books. I’m talking about chapter books. I’m not certain because it was almost half a century ago, but the one that I remember most from my childhood was Stuart Little, by E. B. White. I’m not sure what it was about this, and Charlotte’s Web, but I think it has something to do with animals–though technically, I’m not certain Stuart was actually a mouse or not. I’ve always had a soft spot for God’s little creatures, and ever since childhood I felt deep sympathy for them. That’s probably why you’ve seen so many pictures of my family’s dog, cat, hamsters, turtles, etc.
The illustrations in Stuart Little enhanced the pathos of the story–little critters, personified, their plights. It was enough to keep me reading for hours. Way better than television, though I’ll admit, I watched a lot of that as a child too.
I’ve found that if a book resonates with those things that matter to me, things that tug the strings of my heart, then I’ll be glued to it, no matter the pace. Action and excitement alone will only take me so far before I start yawning or thumbing through the pages. Grip me emotionally, make me care deeply about the character, then you’ve got me hooked.
Perhaps this type of reading taste had been formed back when I was a kid, reading E.B. White and getting emotionally connected with stories like his.
What was the first book you read cover-to-cover as a kid? I’d love to know what it was about that book that made it so compelling. Please share in the comments section below.
Joshua Graham is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, winner of the International Book Award and Forward National Literature Award. His thrillers include DARKROOM, LATENT IMAGE and BEYOND JUSTICE, and TERMINUS. Graham's works have been characterized as thought-provoking page-turners.
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I remember reading Louis L’amour’s book about Tell Sackett – and I’m sure I’ve still got a copy of it somewhere. I’m sure a lot of it went over my head that first time, but I loved Westerns and there was a guilty pleasure because it was my Dad’s, and obviously not a kids book. Must’ve been about 7, so somewhere around 1963
Did it shape your current tastes in reading, Rick? Thanks for sharing!
The best ones I remember is the Happy Hollister series. Read every one of them about 4th grade. Still love mysteries!
Isn’t it interesting how things in our past shape our tastes today?
Now, have any of your tastes changed drastically? Meaning, did you now hate what you once loved, or love what you once hated?
It would have been a Little House book or a Judy Blume book for me. I still love the Little House series and I remember the Judy Blume books fondly. They got me through what we call the tween years today!
Formative years. What did you love about those books?
I think the first chapter books I ever read were the Hardy Boys mysteries. I’m not a huge mystery fan in general, but I’ve always loved stories about young people accomplishing great things. I’m sure that’s why I love books like Harry Potter and Ender’s Game. Maybe deep inside, I’m still a kid myself, and always will be.
Doug,
I think we’re all still kids at heart. It’s just that some of us have learned to mask it more than others. At the heart, if we could believe, if we could love like kids, the world would be a better place.
Very well said.