When I started grade one in Canada, I couldn’t speak English, and it took a while, even after I learned the basic language, to become familiar with vocabulary beyond the day to day necessities. Reading was a chore because of this, all through elementary school, I struggled to find books that were what we now call “high-interest, low-vocabulary.”

My older sister helped solve my reading problems.  She was much older than me, and had a very young family. I was a responsible girl and felt privileged to babysit for her when she and her husband went shopping for groceries on a Friday afternoon, fed me supper, and then went out to a movie.  My sister didn’t pay me with money, but she paid me with a far greater treasure; she brought me a book every Friday when she came home from shopping.

I still remember that Ginny Gordon and the Lending Library was the first of many books to follow.

Below is a photo of the few books that I have left from my babysitting days. I think I might have been about eight, nine, or ten years old then, although it would be illegal now to babysit at that age, it was just family and I was very responsible. Also, it was the 1950s and a very small town. Not much danger.

 

These books were my start in learning to enjoy reading, and I’m happy to say that they were the beginning of a lifetime of wonderful reading experiences.

I see that you can still find Ginny Gordon and the Lending Library on Amazon for about $29.99.

In the mid-fifties, my sister paid about 69 cents for each of these books, but that might have been an hour’s wages then (I’m guessing).

My sister died about 12 years ago, but I will never forget what a wonderful person she was, and what a beautiful gift she gave me –  a love of reading.