Read me a story

We all probably remember asking someone to read us a story, and certainly remember being asked to read a story by a child. Stories are a big part of the growing-up process. As a young girl, I loved visiting my maternal grandmother. Each morning, she would gather me into her cozy bed and share the magical world of "Alice in Wonderland." I couldn’t wait until the next morning and Alice’s next adventure.

When we visited my other grandmother, I have a crystal-clear memory of being pulled into her ample lap as she rocked back and forth, singing every verse of "Froggie Went a-Courtin'.” The popular English folksong tells the charming story of a frog who courts and marries a mouse, Miss Mousie. Many popular folk singers have offered their versions, including Bruce Springsteen, Pete Seeger, and Burl Ives. Years later, when I visited with my three young boys, the lap and the song were waiting.

My favorites? "The Jungle Book" by Rudyard Kipling comes to mind. It was probably one of the first books I read on my own. The mystery of the jungle and the poetry of the writing were pure magic to a young girl. Listening to or reading a children’s classic book is priceless. Imagining "The Jungle Book" characters: Bagheera, Baloo, Kaa, Akela, and the fierce tiger Shere Khan is so much better than seeing a Disney-ized version.

Big Guy remembers Sunday mornings when the Minneapolis Star Tribune was delivered, the comic pages were pulled out of the thick newspaper, and the family would gather and read aloud. He remembers his dad acting out some of the characters, like Dagwood Bumstead. The character’s favorite things included his wife, Blondie, his kids, and naps on the couch. Dagwood was famous for concocting tall, multilayered sandwiches with an olive on a toothpick. Soon, the Dagwood sandwich became popular. Big’s Guy's dad brought the character to life.

Fast forward. Amelia Island will celebrate the stories in our lives from January 30 through February 2 at the third annual Festival of Stories & Songs. Donna and Mark Kaufman, owners of the popular bookstore and bistro, Story & Song, have made Amelia Island the home of the island’s newest festival. The couple's love of songs and stories was influenced by their time living in Nashville, where they often enjoyed a variety of entertainment focused on storytelling.

Storytelling isn’t just for children. Grown-ups love hear stories that entertain, amuse, and teach. Consider treating yourself to one of the many entertaining offerings at this year’s Festival of Stories & Songs.

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Looking for storytelling opportunities for the youngsters in your life? Nassau County Public Library, 25 N. Fourth Street, offers interactive Sing-Along Storytime twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays from 11-11:30 a.m.

Each Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. Ms. Dearsha shares a children’s story and an art project at Story & Song Bookstore & Bistro, 1430 Park Avenue.