
Nana Tells Stories…
We sat cross-legged on the backyard sidewalk, under the fig tree, face to face.
I’d read loads of books to her in her first 3 years, learning how to hold one up to my laptop’s camera in Colorado for her to see the pictures in California, then pull it back so she could see me, my face, see me turn pages…
And whenever I can get to California to visit, reading to her (now 4) and her little sister (2) is one of my favorite, favorite, favorite things to do in this life.
But that day, it was just the two of us, outside in the yard by ourselves, sitting under the fig tree, Nana and 3-year-old oldest granddaughter…and for the first time, I told her a story-with-no-book; I told her Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
And it was pure magic.
I told her The Little Red Hen, too.
It was pure heaven.
She leaned forward, leaned in, smiled with surprise, eyebrows up in delight, watched me, eyes to eyes, caught every single thing I handed her.
You can understand why I love gigs that take me to the Bay Area…
Nana is yearning for her next trip to California.
Lovely! Felt like I was under the fig tree with you both!
🙂 Thanks, Robin. ‘Twas delightful, truly!
Best feeling in the world! I can’t wait to tell to my sweet great grand nephew Nico. (I don’t have grandkids yet so I’m Tia Sue and very happy about it:) Love your post! Thank you for your replies on my blog – means so much!
Backatcha!
Ah, yes! One of the best things that we can share with our grandchildren. Love taking armloads of books when I visit. I Lay them on the floor and Ayla picks which one will be the first one read. Now she’s listening to chapter books! A whole new genre!!!! Loved taking a hike with Ayla and telling the story of Hansel and Gretel. Special moments for sure! Lyric (age 4 mo.) seems to like the same tactile board book that Ayla loved when she was a baby!!! The power of the book. That’s what all parents need to know.
Yes, Kerry! The beautiful power of books, and of the sans-book storytelling, face to face, creating the words and gestures as you go! I gotta get me back to California pretty soon…! Happy hiking and grandma-ing – Pam
How cool. Last A-Z my theme was children’s books. I live in the Bay Area…and my son in Colorado…we have a little in common.
Happy A-Z!
Sweet! 🙂 You too!