Heroes and Children

Since last summer, we have been on quite the storytelling journey with Michael and Malcolm. Through both film and literature, we have been able to introduce the boys to what we believe to be the most appropriate and enriching stories that can inform their sense of adventure and play.

In quick succession, they have watched The Jungle Book, Peter Pan, Mary Poppins, Robin Hood, the original Star Wars Trilogy, and most recently Prince of Egypt. We have supplemented those movies by reading some of the associated literature. I spent most of last August reading each chapter of Peter Pan. In the late fall and winter, the boys tore through most of the children's Star Wars books they could find (again, heavily original trilogy). The past few weeks they have heard some of the original tales of Robin Hood, which are rooted in the historical Norman conquest of England. They have also both watched, read, and played with as many Thomas the Train items they could get their hands on.

What has both surprised and delighted us as parents is the boys' enthusiasm and insights into all the stories they have encountered. I suppose I may have been the same way as a child, but it really is delightful to see your children discover these adventures for themselves and really understand the majority of what they are watching and reading. They know the good guys and bad guys, and why they are good and bad. The enjoy the danger, the humor, and the romance in each tale. It took them one viewing of Star Wars to start pretending their pencils were lightsabers and choosing to play Luke Skywalker or Darth Vader (or Robin Hood and Prince John, or Peter Pan and Captain Hook). Michael has been enthralled with Maid Marian every since watching Robin Hood (Kim thinks of her as his first onscreen crush). They are continuously curious about what they don't understand and very much remain active viewers and listeners (Malcolm always wants to know where the characters are when they are off-screen/out of scene).

It has really been an honor as a parent to take part in this journey the last few months, and we are fortunate that the library holds many more adventures in its shelves. Joseph also seems intent on following in his brothers' footsteps, so it won't be long before we're reading to all three of them.