Calvin and Hobbes Wins the Day

I don't remember just exactly when it happened, but books and reading have conquered the three who hold my heart. Probably it was because their mother is such an avid reader, and has passed this joy along. I think she even used to get 'in trouble' for reading all night (how sad - did I really do that?).

The two you see here have not gone so far as to read into the night, yet. But I sort of see it coming. This is because the grandson has now discovered the joy of CALVIN AND HOBBES. This is the pinnacle of books for a 7 year old! His uncle had become attached to these books at a similar age, and has now gifted his young nephew with the imaginative and crazy world of Calvin. 

This grandson had received birthday money (see it pictured above), and wished to spend some of it on a book. This request was accepted and so he, his mother, sister and grandmother went. Inside an adorable shop called Paulina Books, he found Something Under The Bed Is Drooling, and was instantly intrigued. 

Ever since, his head has been bent toward that book. Occasionally he will pop up and share something hilarious with his grandparents. We howl with laughter. We have heard/read/seen these stories tons of times with the rather dazzling son; we know them well. But still I howl. They are great!

One such page shows Calvin's mother dressing herself up in front of a mirror. She applies her lipstick. She washes, dries and styles her hair. She dresses nicely and chooses out her favorite shoes. Obviously she is going somewhere special and has taken great pains with her looks.

But upon stepping outside and onto the porch, a sudden and violent spray of water from the hose hits her full in the face. The water douses her and obliterates every effort at beauty. The final frame shows Calvin slinking away from the house, holding his sore bottom, looking back at the reader and saying, "Boy, what a GROUCH!"

https://www.flickr.com/photos/dolmansaxlil/5170260869/

We laughed and laughed. He laughed and laughed. In fact we have heard about and seen that same page numerous times now, and always laugh. Bill Waterson knew how to make something not only funny, but funny every time.

There are almost limitless books and series you can indulge your child in. It is the very best variety of indulgence. You open a book and suddenly another world opens up at the same time. Just think of how superior this is compared with something like, say, a video game. 

How can 'Grand Theft Auto' ever compete? I ask you.

See you along the way!

the SconeLady


photo credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/dolmansaxlil/5170260869/">Sharon Drummond</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">cc</a>