Comments on: “Read it to me, Mama!”

By: Ingrid Schlueter

Ingrid Schlueter — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 16:06:14 +0000

Hi Frederick, good to meet another Schlueter (Schleter)! It’s apparently quite a common name among Germans. My husband is frequently asked if he is related to one large family of Schlueters that have an art gallery at Wisconsin Lutheran College. Wrong Schlueter! I guess it is spelled with only a u with an umlaut in German, but it’s morphed into other spellings like yours. Thanks for stopping by my blog!

By: Frederick Schleter

Frederick Schleter — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 04:49:37 +0000

I’ve been looking about on the Internet after my father passed. Our name was spelled orig.Schlueter but during WW1 my family removed the u to “americanize” the name. I started by looking at the orig.spelling in terms of a family crest and found one. I’m married have a daughter that is starting college and two younger ones still at home. My dad was a state farm agent for some 40 years and my mother was a lawyer. I was a deputy sheriff (retired) and now work on a development team that produces windshields for Mercedes. I have three brothers all older. The eldest is a computer geek, the next is a Dr. In Kentucky and lastly a school teacher. I’ve traced some of our history to a August Schlueter. My family has also has a farm that has been in the family for over 100 years (in Indiana they list it as a family century farm). Sorry for such a long message. I’ve never contacted anyone this way. Just found it interesting looks like you have a blessed life and family. Thanks for reading. Frederick

By: Linda

Linda — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 22:14:39 +0000

Reading-broadens our vocabulary and thinking. I don’t remember my mom reading a whole lot to me. She was sick throughout her life because of Scarlet fever that settled in her heart. so I don’t discredit her for that.

I do remember sitting on the bed with her and learning to color. As I grew up I became very artistic.

I have to be honest with you and I’m embarrassed but-as I was growing up I used to hate reading it was not a normal propensity. It was not until God saved me that I fell in love with reading God’s word and reading became this instant joy. Now I look back @ 47 wistful of all I missed.
Yet I don’t muddle in the puddle about it, I’ve taught myself many vocabulary words and I also READ a bunches now along with coffee. Gotta have my coffee.

I did read some books to my son when he was around 3. Mostly I stuck with children’s Christian stories such as parables for children etc.

Thanks, Ingrid, for the lovely post and sharing

By: carolyn

carolyn — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:31:46 +0000

This is a fun post. I had to think a bit, but yes, I remember the Child’s Garden of Verses. When I was little, we had the one illustrated (I think) by Tasha Tudor. I no longer have it, but I do remember reading it. Along with the Peter Rabbit series by Beatrix Potter. I remember learning the word “soporific” from those books, hahaha, vocabulary building which wasn’t appreciated (by me) back then, but is now. Other favorites – Dr Seuss (nonsensical but fun), Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden (like Donna), Little House, Anne of Green Gables. I had a teacher once tell me that I was “too old” to read Nancy Drew and Anne of Green Gables, because it wasn’t “mature” enough for me. The school’s idea of “mature” however left much to be desired. Our high school reading list would have made even a marginally modest person blush, with books that had “mature” themes alright…

In a computer/tv/texting world, reading is a lost virtue. So bravo, Ingrid, for sharing with your daughter the love of reading. Or should I say Ingrid, u r srsly kewl 4 luving bks w/ Em, kwim?

By: Donna

Donna — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 02:42:46 +0000

I’m very glad I was encouraged to read by my Mom and Dad when I was a kid. I liked the “Little House on the Prairie Books”, Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden, The Guiness Book of World Records. But I don’t think I read the Velveteen Rabbit or A Child’s Garden of Verses. I might just go out and buy those to read & I’m 42!

By: Kris

Kris — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 18:46:44 +0000

Your reality explanation of reading to Emmy is a beautiful thing.
A wonderful way to bond with children…Kris

By: Carol

Carol — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:42:03 +0000

Ingrid, In addition to your great selections have you read The Giving Tree and The Kissing Hand? I think that they have wonderful messages.

By: carolyn

carolyn — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:04:03 +0000

“It’s enough to satisfy the basic justice instincts in the heart of a 3-year-old. The Bad Wolf needed stopping, and he got stopped. (Children are basically conservatives…)” Beautifully put. Yes, the truth is definitely in our hearts, we just get calloused over and suppress it in unrighteousness. You’ll have a blessed time explaining the Story to your dear daughter.

By: Lisa Green Kentala

Lisa Green Kentala — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:53:10 +0000

It’s great you “saved” these books for Emily all these years. I might have a few of my boys best loved books – but most I passed on once my boys outgrew them.
One of my younger son’s favorite books was a Blue’s Clues book about a best friend moving away. He cried so sadly, every time I read it to him, but it was his favorite book!
I love your comment “children are basically conservatives” – it’s true! Bad deeds should not be rewarded, and children instinctively know that.