There is no such thing as a child who hates to read; there are only children who have not found the right book. —Frank Serafini

This morning, when I got up and let the dog out, there was an eerie mist over the yard. It made me yearn for an English Yorkshire Moor, often referred to in The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

The Secret Garden always stands out in my memory: Fourth Grade our teacher, Mrs Hitchock, read The Secret Garden to us. I remember looking forward to the day of the week that she read to us, she did ALL the voices. She must have practiced for years… she did read it every year. Mrs. Hitchcock made that book come alive in away I had never experienced before.

I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve read this book! During one of my moves I realized I had bought 10+ versions of the book over the years. I still have my original 4th grade paperback book, missing cover and all. I can’t let it go. The Secret Garden sparked my future as a reader. I was immersed in a magical world of a dark, intimidating Manor House with a multitude of endless hallways and mysterious doors and staircases. The grouchy gardener, Ben Weatherstaff, and his Robin who leads the way to the magical secret garden, and the terrifying housekeeper, Mrs. Medlock. Of course, I think most everyone LOVED the charming Dickon, the Yorkshire Moor boy who can talk to animals; and his canny sister, Martha, Mary Lennox maidservent and friend. The story is rich with mystery “the mysterious moaning and crying” that turns out to be Mary’s cousin, Colin Craven. The mysterious and solitary uncle, Archibald Craven, widower and master of Misselthwaite Mannor. While Mary is exploring the 100 room manor, she finds rooms locked away with treasures including the mysterious key to the secret garden.

I could wax poetic about The Secret Garden because it opened the world of books to me. After The Secret Garden came Little House on the Prairie, Anne Of Green Gables, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys and a future of loving fiction.

Its amazing how a misty morning can flood me with memories of a favorite book, a favorite teacher, and the moment in time that opened my mind to the world of literature and fiction and a love of reading.

Are you a reader? What was your first Book? Did it spark your love of reading?

#readerforlife #booklover #openandbrave