I first read THE MIRACULOUS JOURNAY OF EDWARD TULANE a year or so ago. When I finished, I hugged the book to my chest and pined for the day that I could read it to my kids.
That day came this week. Through several bedtimes, I read this book to my five year old son. He was riveted, constantly interrupting to ask me what was going to happen to Edward next. It was almost like Edward was still on that boat ride, with the waves taking him upward to safety, then back down to the depths of the ocean. And my son was with him on that ride – elated when Edward found safety, and worried when he lost it.
He was also really concerned that Edward would never make it back to Abilene. About halfway through the book, he stopped me, sat up, and looked at me with a serious expression. “Mommy, why doesn’t Edward go back to the girl?” I told him that Edward was lost, and was having trouble finding his way back. That that’s what happens when you get lost – you don’t know where you’re supposed to go. And, sometimes, someone has to find you. Then I asked him if we should find out if Edward finds his way, or if someone finds him. He nodded, then settled in next to me.
We went through a similar routine each night. But the night we got to the end and Maggie finds him, my son perked up, wanting to know if this was the little girl at the beginning. I told him it wasn’t, but that she could still give him a good home. He seemed satisfied with that, and we continued on. When we got to the end and the girl's mommy, Abilene, recognized Edward, a huge smile spread across his face. I smiled too, hugging both my son and that book to my chest.
As I tucked him in, he said “That’s a really good story.”
“Yes,” I said. “It really is.”
10 comments:
My five year-old loved it too, all the way through. But then she sobbed and sobbed at the end. I think the tension was too much for her. Poor thing.
Aw, poor thing. I hope she still enjoys it in subsequent reads, since she knows what'll happen next time. :)
;) I love toddlers. They're so adorable. Whiny sometimes, but still adorable.
hmmm. maybe I'll read this to the kids!
Pema - yes, toddlers sure can be whiny at times, but they're also fun. And it's great when they surprise you with things. :)
PJ - I *highly* recommend this book! Even if you don't end up reading it to your kids, read it anyway! :) It'll warm your heart from the inside out. :)
I like Edward Tulane a lot, too. I know that when it came out some people were debating whether it would actually appeal to kids. But I think it would, and I'm glad the kids mentioned here were so touched by it.
Yeah, I was thinking the same thing after I'd finished it. Yet I still hoped that at least one of my kids would love it. I'm sooo glad he did! :)
This is such a wonderful book. I wish I'd had a younger child to read it to, but just on my own I was captured by it when I read it a year ago.
The ironic thing is my mother told me a story once when I was a child about an idea she had for a children's book...it was very similar to this one, enough so that as I read TMJ, I immediately remembered my mother's story when I was a child. I'll have to send a copy of this book to my mom.
AWWWWWWWW! That was such a sweet review!
Angela - I'll bet your mother will love it. :) I've never wanted to hug a book before this one.
Beth - thanks! I'm so glad my son loved it as much as I did. :)
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