What books did your parents read to you?

Nobody that I can remember read to me. No bedtime stories. I could read quite well by the age of five and was always taken to the library. I read to myself.

I don’t remember my parents reading to me, though I’m sure they did before I learnt to read myself when I was four. I do remember being read to at school - a book about Marco Polo which we all adored, but I have never been able to trace - and Milly Molly Mandy. Also the Just So Stories.

My father used to read Rupert Bear to my brother at bedtime. It was supposed to send my brother to sleep, but it was usually my father who fell asleep!

A A Milne, Arthur Ransome, Cecil the Camel, Orlando the Marmalade Cat.

Loved dad reading Greyfriars Bobby

Dad used to read me a bedtime story till I think I was about 4 when I started reading for myself I can’t actually remember what but it was probably Enid Blytons young stories and Rupert bear and MillyMolly Mandy I can’t remember if it was nightly or just a memory of a few times though

I remember babysitting a small boy who always insisted on having his father's old Rupert Annuals read to him; the whole story not just the rhymes and it seemed to go on forever.
And Thomas the Tank engine to my son, likewise.

Memories come flooding back. I remember loving the Milly Molly Mandy, series. What Katy did and Enid Blyton but I was older by then and read to myself.

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In the 1950's my mother took us to borrow books from Boots library , which was in a corridor upstairs above the chemist shop in Bolton.

Does anyone else remember Boots library?

My mother read to me all the time and I could read by the time I went to school. I can remember The Water Babies, Black Beauty, Heidi, The Wind in the Willows but I’m sure there were many more.

I remember Boots Library, and I have a couple of books that I bought when it was closing down, half -a -crown each.

eazybee

I remember Boots Library, and I have a couple of books that I bought when it was closing down, half -a -crown each.

Boots Library- Celia Johnson in Brief Encounter taking her books back to Boots.

[sigh]

I don't remember Boots library, but I have very fond memories of the book stall in our nearest town, where I bought most of my Malory Towers and Famous Five books. I can still remember the smell of the books (and the market), and the pleasureI felt as I left, so impatient to start reading my latest book.

From Noddy onwards I don't remember a night that my Dad didn't read me a bedtime story.

We were definitely reading to ours until they were almost finished primary school. I can remember my son was convinced that one day he'd crack it and would eventually find his way to Narnia through the back of his wardrobe.

I think reading to children and bed time stories wasn’t part of life for people until probably mid fifties and onwards. People worked hard and long hours with no appliances to make their lives easier. So we’re probably very tired by the evening.

Can’t remember but my dad used to Read with me and help me sound out words. Must have worked as I learnt to read quite easily.

Yes, libraries were so important.
Dad read 'The Twelve Dancing Princesses' to us at bedtime, and if he dared to get a word wrong!!!
Errol Le Cain illustrated a beautiful version in 1978, which I still have.
Wonder how acceptable the Harry Rider Haggard book would be these days. Loved them as a teen.

butterandjam

In the 1950's my mother took us to borrow books from Boots library , which was in a corridor upstairs above the chemist shop in Bolton.

Does anyone else remember Boots library?

They must have all been the same design! I remember the one in Bromley (which was then most definitely Kent, NOT Greater London). Up the wooden stairs above the chemist.

My mother definitely told me / us stories that she made up and always with a twist in the tale. We all read early for ourselves but loved being told tales. I have no recollection of particular books being read though.

I don't remember my parents reading any books to me. My dad bought me many Ladybird books and Enid Blyton when I was little which I read repeatedly. He also took my brother and I to the library and would leave us in the childrens' area while he went to the crime fiction section. This was in the late 60's, I don't remember Boots having a library but I do remember they had lots of artwork for sale.

I don't remember my Mum reading to me - though I do remember reading a Ladybird book called "Tiptoes, the Mischievous Kitten". Maybe she helped me with that, I'm not sure.

But she did make up little stories for me - she was quite imaginative and I've only recently realised how little I appreciated her many abilities.- a good pianist, singer and artist - and very practical too - she did all the decorating, driving and gardening. I wish I had told her when she was alive.

My Dad never read to me and didn't really engage with me much, other than taking me for a walk or bringing me paper home from the office as I used to like to draw. I think in those days (the 50's) men weren't as involved in childcare as they are now.

None I can remember; likely 'cos Dad claimed to have taught me to read by the time I was 3!...

taught me to read at age 3 mom worked 12 hours a day in 1963

My mother never taught me to read, but the range of books available in wartime were limited and having the same books read to me regularly I soon linked words on the page with words being read - my mother may have run her finger along the line as she read.

I was cetainly a fluent reader before I started school, because I can remember being puzzled why the books we were given were so simple. it never occurred to me that other children did not come to school already reading. DH was the same.

My parents were too busy working ... but I sat with Mum listening to a radio at 2 pm ? Listen With Mother I think it was called ?

I remember my mother reciting poetry, by heart, before I went to sleep. I've always had a love of poetry and I belong to a poetry group.
I think I must have been able to read when I started school because I remember the teacher used to pair me up with children who were learning to read. My job was to listen to them reading and help when needed.