Remember that trip we took to California? While there, I scored these from my mother-in-law (yes, she had indeed been holding on to them for some 10-15 years! They look great though.):

I was so excited to get these (they were FREE people!) but the couple friends that I mentioned it to didn't seem to understand my enthusiasm.

"Couldn't you just get them from the library?"

Well, yes,  but it's not the same. I didn't want to force Arianna to read anything. I was not going to assign her book and say "you have to finish this, and soon too, because it's due next week." What I envisioned (and have subsequently done) was to scatter the books around the house - her room, the living room, the kitchen (where our shelf for current school books is) and wait until she picked one up and began reading it, which, I reasoned, was inevitable. 

So far, she's read:

Go, Dog, Go!

Small Pig

Ten Apples up on Top

The B Book

Biscuit's New Friend

Pedro's Burro

Alright, I confess, I threw in those last two from the library because I could see that she was getting frustrated with the length of some of the other books. These were much shorter, with the added bonus of being really cute :) I've actually 'caught' her reading every one of the books in the picture either to her siblings or during quiet time, I just haven't asked her to read them to me yet, to make sure she's got it perfect.  I'm a mean mama. But when we were reading Peter Pan this week, she kept interupting to point out the words she could read. I had to bite back the frustration and pour out the praise, because some of those words were hard!  

I'm so proud of her! She can read! AND she likes it!

Oh, and I totally wasn't going to BUY those books. They're like $9 each! And even though you may have fond memories of The Cat in the Hat, I doubt you wanted to re-read it in high school. The children's books I buy are ones that I currently enjoy and hope to keep for my grandchildren :) 

Posted by sahmto4orMore

It is such an awesome feeling when you realize your child can read. It is a huge milestone and i think it settles a lot of a mom's fears about being inadequate to teach her own children.
You were certainly blessed with those books.
It won't be long til Noelle is begging to bring home a whole box of books from the library each week.

Posted by EEEEMommy

Hooray for reading!
I totally understand and would be just as excited myself. The library is good to a certain extent, but there are just so many times it's better to own the books yourself. And free is the best way! :)

I recently dug three boxes of old books out of my parent's storage room. Lots of Easy Reader books that I would never spend the money on myself. Now they're so convenient and only a little bit musty. ;)

Posted by jugglingpaynes

The stealth teaching method! I know it well. Don't tell the kids. ;o)

Peace and Laughter,
Cristina

Posted by UnlikelyMother

Only because I don't have a great MIL like you, I guess! I am slowly collecting some classics like those through Sonlight or Amazon ... what a blessing for you to get them for FREE! I would be so excited. :)