It’s Read Across America week at the kids school this week. Kate’s class was looking for volunteer readers and I volunteered to read to her class. It took Kate several days to select the book she wanted me to read. She settled on her Sesame Street Book featuring none other than herself. I selected one of my favorite books “Ish” by Peter Reynolds. As I drove to her class to read I was thinking about the kids in the class and all that I have heard of them throughout the last several months. I was anxious to put some names with faces as I only really know about 1/3 of the kids, if that.

I sat down to read to the kids and then shared that I was going to read one of Kate’ s most favorite books that she was so excited for me to share with her class. After that intro I proceeded to pull out a stained, aged book and said “I am going to read the Honda Odyssey Owner’s Manaual”. Kate, along with several others in the class looked at me, totally perplexed, a few others – blank stares, and the last few – giggles. I took note of the last few. I then followed up with, “I really thought that if my car breaks down one day I’ll have more than 20 new friends to call to help fix it.” It was then that I actually gained a few more laughs from the kids and Kate smiled and said “NOOOOOOOO, that’s not the book.” I agreed, pulled out “Ish” and began to read.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw her teacher look at me, unsure, but laughing. She probably thinks I am a nut but understands Kate a bit better.

I, well, I think I’m hilarious. I think making kids laugh is one of the most fun things ever. Reading to them… well, they have REALLY short attention spans, so thankfully the books weren’t too long.