I’ve already talked about the joy I find in hunting through thrift stores for kid’s books- especially when I find those from earlier decades – with their outdated story-lines (many far from politically correct) and heart warming innocence. But my absolute favorite find is a child’s book that has been commented on by the former owner themselves. Here’s are some examples :
ME AND MY KITTEN, 2006
This is an adorable book- a kind of journal documenting the kitten experience. It includes stickers, glittery photos, lots of thought provoking questions, and sensible information about all aspects of kitten/cat care.
However, I was quite concerned (and burst out laughing) when I opened this book to the first page and was greeted with this:
So I had my doubts when I saw this a few pages later-even though I admired our Kitten Owner’s self-esteem:
But it seems that it all turned out okay, at least according to the picture on the last page (although, the journal did end up being tossed, so there’s really no way of knowing…)
MY BEST FRIENDS, year unknown
This is an autograph book of sorts, that gives each person a place for contact info and also asks questions relevant to the likes, dislikes and hopes and dreams of those signing:
Hey- that’s funny! I had a friend who drove an Eldaroto! And he liked Jass, too!
Some of the entries are just adorable….(above) and below, where the book’s third grade ‘owner’ allowed her little sister a page. And then, some are not quite as sweet: (and you can’t help but wonder how this person is turning out)
And sometimes you can’t be sure exactly what’s being said, but you hope for the best!
MY PRAYER JOURNAL, 2000
You know without even checking that anything written in a prayer journal will be interesting, so you cross your fingers and open it up- and often enough: instant pay-off:
Something about kid’s confessions make me sad- it’s almost like they don’t know what they’re guilty of, but have been convinced they are guilty of something (and that seems a little sad, no?)
However, if they think long and hard enough they can usually come up with some horrible transgressions:
They also sometimes have some pre-conceived notions of themselves that you can’t help but think have been pointed out to them by others:
Sometimes they have casual conversations with God almost as though he’s friend:
They often turn to God in trying times- even if they don’t fully understand why certain things happen in life:
And like some of us, they question where God may have been before the bad thing happened. I think in most cases, kids just believe whatever their parents or caregivers teach them.
