When I was in first grade, I had read all the books in our classroom. At least, that’s how my mom tells it. While some kids were still learning their letters, I was browsing through the dictionary.
Mom says they considered moving me up a grade, but then I would be with my twin brothers, and OH WHAT HAVOC WE WOULD MAKE.
Three fiery dragons let loose in a small town Catholic school would do less damage than three Anderson kids in the same grade.
So, I stayed with my classroom full of books I’d already read.
I was in heaven.
I read these stories, and I read them again. They filled the corners of my mind. Every year, I plowed through each classroom’s books. Leveled readers were a challenge — until I finished them up. Then, they were a joy as I went back through and actually enjoyed the stories. I devoured books at school.
And I loved my trips to the library.
You see, we lived on a farm, so we only made it to the library every couple of weeks. And our limit was two books. Two.
I hated living so far from all those books. I still remember imagining what it would be like if someone forgot me at the library. I’d settle into the stacks; would that be so bad?
We left the farm in second grade. For me, the worst part of leaving the farm and moving into town was leaving my horse, Cupcake. The best part of moving into town was going to the library so much more.
Before I turned ten, I crossed the divide to the books written for teenagers. I found Choose Your Own Adventure Books. I found RL Stine. When I was 11, I found “Wait Till Helen Comes.”
It was about a girl. She had dark hair, like me. She seemed just like me in so many ways; except she was best friends with a SUPER CREEPY GHOST.
I guess that’s what happens when you live next to a cemetery.
I’d much rather live next to a library. I’d much rather be friends with a librarian. I’d much rather read a book.
So, here’s my Book Dragon. I thought of her wings like an open book. Perhaps, in the future, I will write words all over her pages. Or, maybe, she’ll write her own.
I forgot her claws had to, you know, actually hold the book. But I do like those lines on her neck and chest. The curvy horns are cool too. Those eyes took me WAAAY longer than you would suppose. But that book title made me laugh. LOTR, anyone?
Keep creating,
Kate