I had the nicest memory stop by my classroom today. I will admit, I have been stalling with my "small group" at reading time. I had the kids do a Reading Survey for me on Monday, our first day, and then I shared a few of my favorite books with them...James and the Giant Peach of course, Harry Potter, and naturally we discussed Diary of a Wimpy Kid, this year's runaway hit, but then I told them I was going to read them a favorite picture book of mine, Bread and Jam for Frances by Russell Hoban. I was a little nervous about it, as it is a little kid's STORY, but the writing is so mature, and phrasey, and interesting. Even though it was a group of 12 boys and 2 girls - whole grade level is like that God help me - I had them in the palm of my hand! Such is the power of a well read story. So today, I just continued along, and read them another Frances book. This time it was A Baby Sister for Frances, where Frances, feeling left out, "runs away" under the dining room table. Once she "chooses" to reunite with her family, she, or possibly Father, I can't quite remember who, says, quite clearly, "A family is everybody altogether."

I can think of few lines in children's literature I love more than that. Love your families...all of them...whatever they are...where ever they are...families that have love are always altogether.