I started reading Penguin Classics: Pollyanna with my 11 and 9 yr old last month and we are loving it! It is a well-loved children’s classic which sad to say, I have never read till now! I am so glad we homeschool or I would never had even thought of picking up the book to read! đ
In almost every chapter, Pollyanna reminds us to be thankful in whatever circumstances we find ourselves to be in. In case you are not familiar with the book, the protaganist, Pollyanna, has been taught by her father to always be thankful in all circumstances. For example : she received a pair of crutches instead of a long awaited doll as a present. Instead of sulking or throwing a temper tantrum, she decided she would be thankful – that she doesn’t need crutches!
I suppose the sceptic in us would say that is too naive. Afterall, when I searched the term Pollyanna, I found that it had a negative connotation đ But I beg to differ.
Having an attitude of thankfulness teaches one to focus on what one has, not what one doesn’t have which could easily lead to discontentment. It is even biblical as we are told to: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Go and read it – or better still, read it to your children and let’s cultivate an attitute of thankfulness.
6 Comments on Pollyanna
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You do it like English Literature class, har?
No lah. I read to them (practice listening!) then I make them narrate back to me OR they read (practice reading aloud for oral) and they still have to narrate back to me. Along the way, I may point out certain things I want to discuss with them or make them think on.
Not so formal. But having said that I purchased some Progeny Press books to try on them later this year. Will see how that goes!
oh well, nevermind – salute you, lah. *hehe* Can’t imagine reading BIG books to them.
When my daughter was 5 or 6 and reading those word-only books(quite thick ones), and kept asking us to read to her, I like *faint* liao. I got no patience. Only dh would do that. I’m more than happy the kids can read on their own.
Now, I see the baby looking at books on his own and he looks at the words, I wonder if he is actually reading them.
Thank you for sharing! This will be one title I will share with dd especially :>
Oh I loved that book as a child. There’s a sequel, too. Can lend it to you. Have you read the Anne books to them, too? Am reading the Noel Streatfield books to Sarah. She LURVES them.
Chern – No, haven’t gotten around to the Anne books yet. We only started reading/narration seriously last year so it’s slow going. I must say it’s easier to find girl books than boy books đ But we have found the Terrestria books by Ed Dunlop to be fascinating enough đ