I did homeschool for my entire education through graduation, and we had a lot of books in my house. My mom would go to the local thrift store and find story books that were compilations of many stories in one, and I spent hours reading those things. The story I remember the best still holds a special place in my heart.
The book was called “Sharing Adventures,” and it was bound in burgundy with a picture of a boy and a girl on the front. About three-quarters of the way back I discovered a story called “The Cardboard Castle.” It was the essence of every little girl’s dream: a princess, a prince, a dragon, and true love.
Late at night, in the toy room, the figurines in the cardboard castle would come to life. Princess Hermione was slated to get married, but she did not love the prince. She loved Peter, the shepherd. But we all know that a princess has to marry a prince, and so Peter was sent out to kill a dragon. By the end of the story, Peter had made friends with the dragon and had been made a prince, through the application of some gold paint, handily provided by the mother of the little girl who owned the castle. The toys were immensely happy, and so was I. I was brimful with joy.
Halfway through the story was a beautiful picture of Hermione in her white wedding dress. I had never seen such a breathtaking drawing before, and I studied that picture endlessly. She was perfect.
This story started a lifelong obsession with fairy tales, princesses and princes, dragons and castles, and everything having to do with any of that. I even would have had a medieval wedding reception if we could have afforded it.
Books find places in our hearts and souls, and mold who we become in the future. Books are friends, comforts, and confidants. Books are people too.
So, here’s a question for you: what is the first book you can remember reading?