Kieu's Mem Fox Reflection- CH7

It looks like Chapter 7 is going to be a popular one!

I think this is an important chapter for all of us to consider and plan for. Like Mem Fox said at the beginning of the chapter, “Television will not go away.”

She makes a good point about the coexistence of books and television. My nephew is six-years-old and when he is home, he would rather turn on the TV or play a videogame on his PS2. Even better for him would be running outside with his friends. On the few occasions that he is over at my place, I would make sure that his homework was done and then allow him to go downstairs to play with the neighborhood kids. I feel that it is very important for him to learn to socialize through interactions with other kids, sometimes even more important than sitting down to read a book. However, he does like to read. We sat down the other night to read a story that he was assigned in class and I was amazed at how well he read and how much he enjoyed reading. Perhaps I should give credit to his reading teacher.

Mem Fox speaks of the necessity of available books in order for children to learn to love to read. Growing up, my dad made sure that we had books available in the home. I remember this gigantic dictionary and this collection of Disney books that must’ve cost about $50-$60, which was quite expensive for us at the time. I have 2 older brothers and a younger sister. We are all about a year apart in age: 25, 23, 22, 21. Even with the books right at our fingertips, my brothers picked up WWF figures instead of the books. Furthermore, once we all hit middle school, it was clear that I was the only one who really cared to read and write. I would be the first to pick up a book and read for fun. My point is, we all grew up in the same environment, yet we did not all love to read.

Although, I didn’t agree with everything she said, but she did have some great ideas.

For example, children should be able to choose what books they want to read and parents should set good examples.