Livia, sweetly reading a book on the artist Matisse to our dog Shiloh:
Sometimes I like art. [page turn]
Sometimes I like little villages. [page turn]
Sometimes I like naked men. [page turn]
Mommy:
Um, what? [pause] Show me that page. [checks out the sexless nude figures] Ahhhh. Now, read it to me again… [busily types, mutters under breath] so I can share it with the world wide web…
Today we finally got around to joining our library’s summer reading program. One of the activities a child can do for credit is read to a pet. So tonight Livia picked up some books on famous artists, sat down with Shiloh nearby, and began to read aloud in words a simpleton like the dog could understand. After she saw me recording our previous conversation, she asked me to write down the book in it’s entirety. Here is the book on Matisse, according to Livia, thoroughly enjoyed by Shiloh.
**************
I like this antique picture.
Oooh, this one’s pretty. I like this village, too.
I like this picture of naked men, too. Playing music. (Un-propriate!)
Sometimes I like to look at this picture of fish.
Sometimes I like to look at these men again, which is swirling around and is an old painting, too.
I like this old antique house.
Sometimes I like to have feasts with all sorts of kind of food, even fish, and the fish are dead. And also it’s an old painting.
I also like this bowl of fruit painting. It’s nice.
And I like this picture of a lady playing a piano and boys playing checkers.
And I like this picture of a lady sleeping in a pretty dress.
The end.
10 Comments
Jan Wismer Jun 9, 2011 7:59 PM
What a treasure trove of gems (remembered and even forgotten) Livia will have in these delightful vignettes you have captured of her privileged upbringing. Thanks for sharing. Evangeline has the distinct privilege of signing all ages up for the summer reading program at Gere Library from 3-4 on Sunday afternoons. Some day LIv may be doing the same!
Bethany Jun 9, 2011 8:12 PM
Oh my gosh. Liv can read to me any day. This is priceless. I’m dying over here.
tara Jun 9, 2011 8:35 PM
i’m with bethany…can liv interpret all MY books?! :) so cute!
Jo Jun 9, 2011 8:51 PM
I’m giggling at how you’ve captured her personality in this post. So darling and funny and quirky.
Bethany Jun 9, 2011 9:04 PM
I can’t decide which is my favorite part, but it’s either: Un-propriate! or: Sometimes I like to have feasts with all sorts of kind of food, even fish, and the fish are dead. And also it’s an old painting.
Papa Jun 9, 2011 9:21 PM
Laugh…laugh
Jen Jun 9, 2011 9:24 PM
Love. I heard Maddie reading to herself in her crib many times.
Laurie Jun 9, 2011 9:54 PM
Yep, she’s my kind of girl!
Amy Jun 9, 2011 10:19 PM
Definitely a ‘teaching’ moment, huh, Rebecca? ;} My philosophy regarding ‘delicate’ subjects and discussions with Edward and Emery ~ give them a little bit MORE than they ask for. It will keep them satisfied longer, and they won’t be going elsewhere for their information! :D Try it – you and Jeremy will be GLAD you did! :]
Sarah Jun 10, 2011 11:52 AM
ah! this is wonderful. the feast description is my favorite. the thing is, i can actually picture it according to her words. she could teach alot of people how to look at art! inspiration from a 7yr old.