The Bookstore and my Grandchildren

by | Apr 25, 2014 | Editorial

When I’m not working – or reading – I love taking my grandchildren to the bookstore. My four-year-old will make a bee-line for the children’s section and judiciously choose not only a book for

herself but for various siblings and cousins who are not there. She knows exactly who’s into Lego, who likes trains, and who likes Hello Kitty. She herself prefers princesses.
Then there’s my seven-year-old, who discovered he could move beyond the I-Can-Reads and read a super hero book all by himself. I sat down on the floor next to him and almost cried.
Sometimes I get near-frantic phone calls: “Nana, do you have Book III of Harry Potter: I’m almost done with Book II!” or “Nana, I need Book IV in the so-and-so fantasy series! I have nothing to read at bedtime tonight. Can you get it for me, please?” or “The new Lisa-so-and-so book is out. Can we go to the bookstore and get it right away?”
You bet we can, or I will, if at all humanly possible. Sometimes I think it doesn’t get any better than this. And, oh, we do need bookstores in this world!

herself but for various siblings and cousins who are not there. She knows exactly who’s into Lego, who likes trains, and who likes Hello Kitty. She herself prefers princesses.
Then there’s my seven-year-old, who discovered he could move beyond the I-Can-Reads and read a super hero book all by himself. I sat down on the floor next to him and almost cried.
Sometimes I get near-frantic phone calls: “Nana, do you have Book III of Harry Potter: I’m almost done with Book II!” or “Nana, I need Book IV in the so-and-so fantasy series! I have nothing to read at bedtime tonight. Can you get it for me, please?” or “The new Lisa-so-and-so book is out. Can we go to the bookstore and get it right away?”
You bet we can, or I will, if at all humanly possible. Sometimes I think it doesn’t get any better than this. And, oh, we do need bookstores in this world!