I’m reading Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to my daughter right now.  First full length novel for her, and first time reading the work on my side.  I had no idea.

I knew the basic story of course, and the characters.  But I didn’t know the story was so old (first published in 1865 — EIGHTEEN SIXTY FIVE).  And I didn’t know the style of writing ol’ Lewis Carroll employed.  Wow.  Gotta pay attention, that’s for sure.

But my favorite part, aside from the story itself, is fact that my daughter read this classic passage over and over again, until she memorized it.

“The Queen of Hearts, she made some tarts, All on a summer’s day; The Knave of Hearts, he stole those tarts, And took them quite away!”

My daughter was still reciting that this morning at breakfast.

Reading is FUN.  Stories are FUN.  The magic is undeniable.   I’m reminded of a catch-phrase I heard growing up:  “Reading is Fundamental”.

It sure is.

And when you do it with kids? 

PRICELESS.