Book Addicts Anonymous

Remi's addicted to reading. To the point where she's started bringing her books with her on outings the way other kids bring a blanket or a stuffed animal.

"Remi, do you want to go to a party and play with other kids?" A quick nod "yes" and then she runs to get a few books to take along. We stop at Trader Joe's on the way and the books have to come in with us. Remi has to carry them -- any attempts to help are met with tears and a determined effort to take them back. This lasts until we get to the blueberry display, at which point all books are forgotten in favor of her current favorite food.

She's started treating the books and the characters in them like 3-dimensional friends: she kisses the characters, encourages the animals to come out and play with her (hasn't happened yet, but she keeps trying), and often just gives the books themselves a good strong hug.

At Remi's insistence, the reading thing has taken on a life of it's own. We read at bedtime, of course, but now we also read first thing in the morning and on waking from a nap. Five or six books at a time, usually. At dinner time she often escapes the boredom of the table to pilfer through the small bookshelf I have in the dining room. Her current favorite choices are A Breath of Snow and Ashes (a time-travel romance novel series) and The Art of Racing in the Rain (which likely appeals to her because of the dog on the cover).

Now don't get me wrong: I'm not complaining. As far as addictions go, I'll take books over, say, kiddie crack Elmo. I myself used to walk home from school with my nose in a book. It's a wonder I never got lost.