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 Photo courtesy of Fotolia One of the more recent examples I came upon – and it actually inspired this blog – is from “A Brief History of Montmaray,” by Michelle Cooper and published by Alfred A. Knopf. I’m currently reading and reviewing the young-adult novel for an upcoming issue of OC Family, so I’ll keep this short, but here’s just one I’ve run into in the book (you can see my full review in March): “I must say it’s rather creepy in here —not in a lovely, shivery way, as it is inside the Blue Room when the ghost strokes her fingers down one’s neck and whistles in one’s ear, but in a sad, dusty, and abandoned way” (Cooper 68). I love it. It’s such a picturesque, haunting description, and the book is replete with them. From an early age, I have documented such quotes, sentences, even paragraphs that make an impact on me. I’ve got journals upon journals filled with them – some from poems, others from short stories, children’s books and longer novels. And as a lover of words, children’s books and all things related to reading, I think this could be a fun, interactive activity for you and your children. It’ll get them interested in sentence structure – no matter how simple – and it will help with their own writing and creative skills. This is an easy project that doesn’t require too much preparation. First, you’ll want to explain the idea of a quote journal to your child. Then, let your child pick out a notebook – big, small, colorful, plain – and decorate it however he or she wants. The next time you sit down to read a story with your little one, be sure to have the notebook and some markers, crayons, pen or pencil handy – just in case. Your child doesn’t need to write something from every book – only when he or she wants to or seems genuinely interested in a particular line or quote. Be sure to write down what book and page, if possible, the quote is from, too (I have, in the past, forgotten to write down the page, and I always regret it). If you and your kiddies try this out, I’d love to hear some of their favorite quotes, so send them along to me at kschott@churmmedia.com. Here’s just a few of my own particular favorites: “If you care about something, you have to protect it – if you’re lucky enough to find a way of life you love, you have to find the courage to live it.” —“A Prayer for Owen Meany” by John Irving “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” —“The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald (p. 189) “You’ll be on your way up! You’ll be seeing great sights! You’ll join the high fliers Who soar to high heights.” —“Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” by Dr. Seuss “I will keep the castle safe. Always. Why, you ask? Do you mean to say that you don’t know? Because you live here.” —“Always” by Alison McGhee and Pascal Lemaitre  Kristen Schott is OC Family's children's book editor. Be sure to check out "Storytime," her video book reviews, for more fun facts about stories you and your kiddies must read. Jan. 7: 'Weezer Changes the World' Jan. 5: 'All Kinds of Families' |
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