Sometimes I fantasize about organizing a “too much stuff” intervention for my parents. I try to tell them, nicely, that we have libraries, Blockbuster, and WalMart for a reason: so we don’t have to stockpile every last ding-dang thing in our own homes.
But ever since Sally learned how to read, it’s been kind of nice that they have too many old hardback copies of Nancy Drew, The Secret Garden, and Danny Dunn and the Anti-Gravity Paint. Susan and Spot love Grandma’s picture books. Like toys, someone else’s books are always much more exciting that your own.
A couple months ago, Susan set down Grandma’s copy of Rapunzel long enough to discover Fanny’s Dream, an enchanting pseudo-Cinderella-type fairy tale. Fanny’s fairy godmother doesn’t arrive in time to send Fanny to the ball. Instead, her good friend Heber comes calling and offers her “one hundred and sixty acres, a little log cabin, and dreams of my own . . . and good food and great company.”
Fanny accepts, though she warns him that she doesn’t do windows. So Heber and Fanny settle down to a mundane life of farming, parenting, and laughing.
Here’s my favorite part (and a good candidate for fridge lamination):
As for Heber, he figured that it hadn’t been easy for Fanny to give up her dreams, so he made it a point to wait on her at least once a day, as if she were a princess, and every so often he wiped the grime off the windows.
When Fanny’s fairy godmother finally shows up, after three kids and a house fire and pig slopping, butter churning, and outhouse pranks played on Heber, Fanny has to decide whether she wants her current life or her dream life. I don’t want to give away the plot, but let’s just say I haven’t finished reading it yet without crying.
Last time I read it to the girls, I noticed an inscription on the title page: To Mom and Dad, love Jane and Dick, Christmas 1998. That was just six months after Dick and I were married. And I think I gave it to my mom because I know she gave up a lot of her dreams when she got married at 17, had me at almost-19, and then mothered continues to mother the five of us and grandmother the kids that we have added.
I guess it’s okay to hang on to some books forever.
Obviously, Fanny’s Dream Works for me!
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What a wonderful post! This book sounds perfect – a more realistic story but still fun and interesting all the same.
Heather J.s last blog post..I’ m Getting Appreciated During BBAW … and I love it!
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I fell in love with that book while I was in college. Then just before I got married, my roommates and I were packing/cleaning an apartment that had not been completely vacant for at least 3 years (you know where one roommate moves out, one moves in, etc)… so LOTS of random stuff that had just been left behind. Luckily, someone left behind this book and I claimed it for myself. I felt like it was payment for having to take everyone else’s reject stuff to the DI.
Lauras last blog post..The Happiest News Since The Hiccups Stopped
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The book sounds cute . . . your kids look cuter . . . your mom sounds amazing!
GREAT post! Thank for sharing!
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Have you ever read Knuffle Bunny Too by Mo Willems?
It’s about two girls who accidentally switch bunnies at preschool. The illustrations just make it hilarious.
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Cute! Sounds like something my 6-year old daughter would like!
Christins last blog post..My Kids’ Picks
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How sweet. And how cool that you noticed the inscription — what a great gift.
My mother-in-law also has every book her children ever read, and it’s kind of fun for the kids to explore them while they’re there.
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This sounds great!! I would LOVE it for my girls! I’m not fond of the whole princess thing, and this book has a great twist. Thanks for the review!
Loris last blog post..Kid Lit Pick — The Parrot Tico Tango
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That sounds like a wonderful book! Only wish you had posted this before my last Amazon order.
Natashas last blog post..Disrespecting McCain’s basic humanity.
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I see I wasn’t the only one hitting refresh, little Mrs. Linky #1.
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Dude! Last week I was #2, and then got deleted, because I’d linked up my Sarah Palin post. This is only karmic justice, (and luck) and I’m just crossing my fingers that this post is acceptable!!
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What an adorable sounding book! Your daughters are adorable!
Sherrys last blog post..White Cake
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OK, now I have to add that one to our library.
Halloween Candles
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Thanks for dropping by my blog! I’ve been doing the Mom & Son Book Club since the beginning of the summer. My son really wanted to be a part of my blog – and a part of my real life book club – so we came up with this idea. It’s worked wonderfully! Since my blog is all about books, it gives him a chance to talk about the books HE likes. And I have so much fun with our discussion questions (especially the “asides” you mentioned in your comment).
Heather J.s last blog post..Announcing Award Winners in two categories …
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Great. Yet ANOTHER book to add to my list of kids’ books to read…
Sounds lovely.
traceys last blog post..A hole in the head’s better than a hole in your coffee cup
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That sounds like such a nice book!
Muthering Heightss last blog post..Wordless Wednesday – Fun With The Faucet
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[...] in my good mothering skills. I read a bunch of books to Susan and Spot before naptime, including Fanny’s Dream, which proves that even the most excellent of books become slightly less compelling after being [...]
I just really like the top of the head ponytails… continued from baby days right…love reading your blog Jane…always admired your cleverness…and love children’s book ideas!
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