Southern Sass

Hurry Up Slowpoke by Crosby Newell was my very first favorite book. It was a Wonder Books Easy Reader, and it cost 69 cents, back in the day. I still have the copy my mom gave me when I was three years old. It is well worn, still very loved, and one of the few things I have left from my childhood. My name is on the inside in my mom's handwriting. And the binding and cover have been reinforced with clear packing tape on the edges. There are doodles and scritch-scratch here and there along the pages. The cover is in color, but the pages are done in black, white and yellow illustration.

It is such a charming little story of Simon and Lucy (which was my mom's name) mouse following their mother on a long walk to grandmother's house. Mrs. Mouse is always saying hurry up Simon. Stay with us. And Lucy chimes in "Yes, hurry up. You're such a slowpoke." Well, Simon gets lost along the way. He finds himself all alone and very sad that he didn't listen. But, he finds his sister's hat, which he makes into a boat, and with the help of a fish, a duck, and a bird he crosses the pond safely. To grandmother's house he goes, and he arrives even before his mother and sister. He is there to greet them along with grandmother mouse, who has cake and pop for everyone. Simon runs ahead saying hurry up mother, and hurry up Lucy. Mother mouse turns to grandmother and says, "See who is saying 'hurry up' now!'

How I love this little book. I can remember begging my mom to read it to me over and over again. I had it memorized by the time I could read it on my own. And I took it everywhere, to school, to my friends house, even when we were just out riding in the car, which is probably why it is falling apart. It was like my Linus blankie. I have it in our book basket this month to share with my own children.

Do you have any books that you heard so many times as a child that you memorized the story? Let's share! And go over and check out Sarah Denley's Read to me Wednesday feature by clicking on the button above. ~Blessings!