Sunday 27 September 2009

Sunday Salon - reading Neil Gaiman to my daughter

Tonight I read The Wolves in the Walls by Neil Gaiman to my 6 year old daughter. At the end of the book, she asked me, "Mommy, are there really wolves in the walls?"

Thank you, Mr Gaiman, for this beautiful funny book. Thank you for writing down your dreams and imaginings, and teaching my daughter to wonder if indeed, wolves can live in the walls of a house.



Happy reading, Gentle Readers!

12 comments:

Cackleberry Homestead said...

I need to get this one and read it to my boys - I bet they would like it and I keep meaning to read some of his books.

Anonymous said...

Oh, no! The perils of reading Neil Gaiman.

Booklogged said...

I didn't realize he wrote for young children. Sounds like something my grandson would like.

Literary Feline said...

Oh, that's so sweet. :-) When I was a child, I was so afraid of the wolf that hid in the shadows. The music from Peter and the Wolf still sends shivers down my spine.

Kailana said...

How fun! It's so great when you can share an author you love with the family, isn't it? :)

Eva said...

Awww-when my niece comes to visit, I'm going to try out one of Gaiman's picture books on her. She might still be a little young (she didn't like The Girl in the Castle Inside the Museum), but there's no harm in trying!

Michelle Fluttering Butterflies said...

Awww.. I think I'll wait a few years before reading this one to my sons. My son is already afraid of the wolf from The Three Little Pigs. It gives him nightmares, poor thing.

Stephanie said...

I love your daughter's question. :-) It looks like a fun book.

http://starkravingbibliophile.blogspot.com/

Debi said...

Ahh, this just put the hugest smile on my face! Thank you for sharing it. :D

Susan said...

Crystal: The six year old liked it, the 4 year old was restless and didn't want a story read to him last night! so I think it depends on the age, very much.

StephanieD: The joys of reading Neil!! Although peril is right, in terms of loving his work :-D

Booklogged: How old is your grandson? My youngest (see above with remark to Crystal)didn't like it. Of course if your grandson likes to read, I think he will love this.

Literary Feline: I have never heard of the wolf that hid in the shadows! That's a new one for me. Although I do agree that the Peter and Wolf music is a little creepy, it's also fascinating. I admit to being fascinated by wolves, not afraid of them!

Kailana:It is! I loved reading it to her. She was a bit put off by the faces - she didn't like them so angular - but the wolves, and the photos of the jam mixed with the illustrations - fascinated her. She wants to be an artist when she grows up. She really enjoyed Coraline too when we saw it this summer. It's fun having someone in the family like some of the books i do!

Eva: see my comments above to Wendy and Crystal, it depends how old the child is....though I completely agree, you never know until you try! fingers crossed she likes it :-D

Michelle: I would never have guessed so many people are afraid of wolves! I never have been....that's a new one, afraid of the wolf from the three little pigs, though I think my eldest (now 20, so it's a long time ago) was a little nervous of the wolf too. I'll have to ask him. That's so cute! But yes, he will be afraid of this book, that's certain!

Laughing Stars: thank you! Her comment was so unexpected, that I knew immediately I wanted to post about it! I love it when books come alive. It is a fun book, too. I enjoyed reading it very much.

Debi: thanks! I was hoping people would enjoy the little moment, too! And all because of a book, yaaay!

Daphne said...

That is so sweet. What a great book to read to a little one just discovering the magic of stories!

Anonymous said...

Sad to say I only recently discovered this amazing man thanks to a post by The Genteel Arsenal on 'Blueberry Girl', which I absolutely adore, but wish there was a boy version of because I wish wonderful things for my son's life as well as my darling daughter's. I bought 3 copies: 1 for us (my husband shed tears in the cafe as he read it), and 1 each if I have any grandkids and if I don't they're going to someone special - just don't know who yet.