Lynda Johnson Robb
Chairman Emerita, RIF
"I began reading to my children at birth. As their reading skills grew, I listened
while they read to me. Early on, because I had loved them, I shared children's
editions of Shakespeare and the classics with the girls. In our family we have
a tradition of taking turns reading Huckleberry Finn aloud. Now it's the turn
of the new generation; my own grown children recently read Harry Potter to my mother
who is 90 and can no longer see to read." -- Lynda Johnson Robb
EnlightenMe writer Mary Brigid Barrett recently had the opportunity to interview Ms. Robb:
Was a love of reading and books something that you discovered on your own, or was it an interest inspired by another person? If so, who?
One of the treats in my life was to spend the night with my Grandmother Johnson. She loved to read to us, particularly fairy tales from foreign countries. I would curl up in her bed, and she would read to me until I fell asleep. She always had a wonderful collection of children's books. She had so many grandchildren, I think she read the books to pieces.
My own mother was also a great reader. She introduced me to my favorite children's books: the Winnie the Pooh series. Since they were my favorite, I then read them to my three daughters. When they were young, they didn't seem interested in learning all the poems from When We Were Very Young, and Now We Are Six. But somehow, the words must have sunk in, because now they quote the verses back to me.
What was your favorite place to read when you were a kid?
My favorite place to read was on my bed. I would go to the library on Friday to check out as many books as I could, usually 15. Then, I would spend the weekend reading them one by one. I read biographies, myths, folk and fairy tales, and later loved taking turns reading The Little House in the Big Woods with my mother. My daughters and I also took turns reading books such as The Westing Game, one chapter a night before lights out. Our Lucinda got so interested that she "cheated," and I caught her reading ahead in the bathroom after she was supposed to be asleep.
Ernest Shepard, who did the drawings in Winnie-the-Pooh, is your favorite children's book illustrator. Did you ever get the chance to meet him?
Yes. I met Ernest Shepard in 1967 when I was 23 and he was 88. I corresponded with him until his death, and I visited him several times. The first time we met, I visited his home in England. He wrote me many letters telling me of his trips to far away places like Tasmania. He was like a surrogate grandfather.
What are your favorites of his illustrations?
When Chuck and I were married 35 years ago, Ernest Shepard gave us two watercolors. One is "The Picnic" scene. In the other one, Winnie the Pooh is reading to Tigger and Piglet. I also have other original pen and ink drawings and watercolors that Mr. Shepard (he asked me to call him Kip) drew. I have told my husband over and over again, "If the house catches on fire, get the children out first, then grab my Pooh drawings!"
What motivated you to become involved with RIF?
I have been involved with Reading Is Fundamental since its founding in the 1960's.
I had been reading to children in hospitals on the weekend, and then leaving the
books for the children to read themselves. When I would return, the books would
be gone, taken home by happily recovered patients.
I soon discovered that I could not personally give books to every child in Washington
DC, and RIF was born. This program, now the oldest and largest children's literacy
program in the nation, was created to motivate children to read and to allow them
to choose paperback books of their very own. People interested in helping RIF
reach its goal of delivering over 16 million books, serving over 5 million children,
should visit http://www.rif.org to make a contribution or find out more.
Currently, I am President of the National Home Library Foundation, a very small foundation that provides small grants to fledgling and struggling libraries, from those in traditional settings like schools to libraries in day care centers, shelters, and more. Like many non-profit organizations, the NHLF is struggling financially. The foundation is over 40 years old and has never asked for financial support. If people are interested in contributing to the NHLF or in finding out more, they should email natlhomelibrary@yahoo.com
Why should parents read aloud to their children?
Reading aloud to a child creates a special bond between parent and child. Children love listening to the sound of the words, and the physical closeness of sharing a book is a joy for both parent and child.
How can parents find good books for their children?
Talk to your children's librarians, who are constantly reviewing new books and are great resources. They are aware of all the new books being published, in addition to the old favorites that I read as a child or that I later read to my own children. I've collected many Newbery and Caldecott award winners. There are many books that have been published since my own children grew up, that I am now enjoying on the recommendation of librarians.
What books do you like to give as gifts?
I frequently give some of my favorite children's books as baby presents to new parents to start a first library. Good Night Moon, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and all of the Richard Scary books. I have given Angels and Other Strangers, by Katherine Paterson to all the ministers that I know.
If you were stranded on a deserted island, what books would you want with you?
Many people would say the Bible. I would want that book with me for its combination of beautiful poetry and fascinating stories, as well as its comforting relevance. I'd want to find comfort in favorites like Winnie-the-Pooh, because they bring back so many happy memories through the years. When you're under stress, you want to have books that you find comforting. I love to tell the story about when my youngest daughter, Jennifer, was a student in college taking her first exams. During this particularly stressful time, I asked her how she was handling it all. She said she had been to the library to re-read Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. My middle daughter, Cathy, has even given this book to several people in her law firm to make everyone laugh through their own bad days!
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