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Josh at Three

 2019


My son is born on August 3. We very quickly begin reading "The Complete George and Martha," by James Marshall.

No other children's book will ever mean more to my family. Marshall's two hippos--named for Edward Albee protagonists--seem to comment on everything that happens in the world. Jealousy, love, competition, evasiveness, generosity, sacrifice, chaos, self-reflection, fear, ambition, scheming: It's all there. Each story has a minimalist touch, and layers, and a sense of humor that is accessible to a child.

2020

At one, Josh is "reading" Madeline with me. We sit in a beach house and notice the Seine, in the pictures--and, also, "a crack that had the habit....of resembling a rabbit...."

2021

Josh travels to Provincetown, and the two of us read "Rapunzel," by Paul Zelinsky. Is this terrifying story appropriate for a small child? Maybe not, but we like Zelinsky, and later we have more fun with PZ's version of "The Wheels on the Bus."

....And in the Present Day....

We've been spending time with Tomie dePaola. This guy was interested in the artist/outcast--a figure who pops up in "Stage Struck," "Legend of the Indian Paintbrush," "The Art Lesson." Each of the three stories has a little gay boy struggling to come to terms with his own talent.

It's unclear what Josh takes from all this, but he is increasingly patient with me. In his spare time, he grabs a book, holds it to his face, and shouts, DADADADADADADA. And I never, never discourage this behavior.
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