Subbing Second Grade

On Thursday, I took a job in a second grade classroom. Totally out of my realm, right? Actually it wasn't too bad! Once you look past them correcting you every two seconds, they were actually quite fun! The best part was that I got to read a ton with them. We couldn't find their usual afternoon Read-Aloud book so I took matters in to my own hand and we read "The Enormous Crocdile" by the incredible Roald Dahl. They absolutely loved it. I got to read in voices and accents and they recited parts of it along with me and guessed what was happening next. It was a blast.

I will say this for second-graders. They are cute. The certainly tug at your heartstrings. I mean, let's be real, if you have low-self-esteem, work with second graders. Maybe I should have gotten on this train earlier. Although not really.... as lovely as this note was and all the hugs I got, even as a sub, I certainly couldn't work with the little ones day-in and day-out. Oy.

I did love seeing all the books in this teacher's classroom though. It brought back so many memories of my childhood book loves. First of all, the Polk Street Kids. Emily Arrow with her four braids and bows. Richard Beast Best who was held back a year. Matthew who wet the bed and always eat peanut butter and fluffer-nutter sandwiches (I had NO IDEA what fluffer-nutter was back then). Dawn with the pencil box. All the adventures they went on. So many memories.

Oh my goodness, My Father's Dragon was one of my favorite books growing up. It follows the story of the narrator's father who goes to an island to rescue a yellow and blue striped dragon. Along the way, his wonderful wits keep him safe. I loved the illustrations in this book, they highlighted so well what was going on in the text. Plus, two great sequels with the same great illustrations. Read these immediately if you haven't.

And my my word, guys, did you know that this was a real thing? They made a TV SHOW out of Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle? With Jean Stapleton? And Joan Cusack? And Eg Begley, Jr.? I don't even have words to describe this! It's like a cartoon but with live-people. Just look at the costumes! Look at the pots/cans of make-up on the vanity table. They look like they were taken from Winnie-the-Pooh! "Baby Bean, bathe thyself!"- I love this. Also, I'm intrigued by their speech- it's very intelligent. What seven-year old says "I won't be a party to it"? I had totally forgotten than Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle lived in an upside-down house. Way to stick to the original story, random production company. But I don't remember her having a talking/sneezing tree. And who is this awful reporter man? Norbert? Definitely do not remember him. I don't think that anyone but Jean Stapleton could have played Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle. PLEASE take the time to watch this- it's amazing.

Also, did you know that they made a TV show out of the Fudge Books? I was such a huge fan of these- maybe it was because my sisters as a whole reminded me of Fudge? I won't confess to that being true or not but I definitely empathized greatly with Peter Hatcher. There are a couple of places in these books that make me just die with laughter. The part in "Fudge-A-Mania" where the folding bed snaps up and closes on Fudge? Fall-off-the-bed laugh so hard.

And speaking of books that make you laugh so hard that you want to die, has anyone ever read the Anastasia books? If you haven't, RUN, don't walk, to your nearest library and check these gems out for you. Anastasia is an intelligent yet awkward twelve-year old with many dreams. She wants to be a writer, makes loads of lists, makes friends, wants to become a model, sometimes dates equally awkward Steve Harvey, gets a little brother named Sam, and gets into many scrapes. I absolutely adore her parents, Myron and Katherine. Each book is incredible and honest and funny and I just live for Anastasia's conversations with her parents. Plus, there are two great books about Sam, just for extra kicks.

Funny how one day spent with super-cute second graders leads you down memory lane!