The first favorite book I can remember is The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams. This book inspired me emotionally. I wanted the boy to love the rabbit so he could be real. For me the story signified acceptance, at a time in my life when acceptance was very important. I cheered at the end of the book when the fairy made the bunny real. Because the rabbit loved the boy, and believed he could be real, he achieved his dream. As a child, it made me believe that love could really get you somewhere. Even as an adult this book still inspires me not only as an individual, but also as a writer.

My second favorite was a series of books by Astrid Lindgren about a character named Pippi Longstocking. At nine years of age, I wanted to be Pippi. I wanted to live with a monkey, and go on a different adventure everyday. Who couldn’t love a character who named herself Pippilotta Delicatessa Windowshade Mackrelmint Ephraimsdaughter Longstocking? Pippi taught me courage, and to respect others but most important- to laugh at myself.

A brilliant man named Shel Silverstein authored my third favorite book. The book is Where the Sidewalk Ends. Mr. Silverstein’s poems made me giggle, and every little girl would rather giggle as to eat. I can remember even as a teenager pulling out this book and reading the poems just to smile. When I moved out of my parent’s home, I left the book behind. I remember wanting to read it years later. My dad and I spent an hour in the attic looking until we found my treasured book. I now share the poems with my nine-year-old son, and he loves them as much as I do. I thought I would share my favorite Shel poem.

Boa Constrictor

Oh, I’m being eaten
By a boa constrictor,
A boa constrictor,
A boa constrictor,
I’m being eaten by a boa constrictor,
And I don’t like it–one bit.
Well, what do you know?
It’s nibblin’ my toe.
Oh, gee,
It’s up to my knee.
Oh my,
It’s up to my thigh.
Oh, fiddle,
It’s up to my middle.
Oh, heck,
It’s up to my neck.
Oh, dread,
It’s upmmmmmmmmmmffffffffff.

It still makes me giggle.

My fourth favorite book was The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I can remember holding my breath when Mary opened the door to the garden. I loved the message of this story. How two friends tending a garden made all the difference in the world. It made me realize that we shouldn’t allow our weaknesses to hold us back. It’s a shining example that through our actions we can be a positive influence to the people around us. To this day every time I enter a garden surrounded by a wall, I look for a secret door.

I think back on my childhood and realize how fortunate I am. I can’t imagine not having books in my life, but there are many children in this world that only experience books inside of a classroom. Books have the ability to influence, teach, and entertain. In looking back at my favorite selections, they represent my voice as a writer. It is amazing to me that even as a child I didn’t choose writing, it chose me.

Thank you to my crew mate Marnee for allowing me to take her place at the helm todayJ

What were your favorite childhood books? Do you remember thinking about writing a book as a child?