4 Comments
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David Barton's avatar

I so enjoyed reading this - so much resonated with me - and in my own work with children and young people over the past 25 years, I have experienced nothing which suggests your experience is unusual 🙌🌿

Lis Barton's avatar

What read, I totally agree with this and can remember doing the same thing especially reading Lady Chatterley hiding behind the Common Room curtains at boarding school! I spent many hours reading by torchlight at home too. I am keen to read your past contributions to Substack too,

Vincent Shaw's avatar

Hi Lis, thanks for your comment. There is something so special about reading when you are not supposed to. I think the naughtinesss of reading by torchlight, or reading when you shouldn’t be and the possibility of being caught very much added to it.

Melissa @ Notes from Nature's avatar

I loved reading this too. I am so glad there are people like you in the world! And I bet many of those children will remember that moment for years to come. Maybe they'll even write about it here one day in the future.

I had a teacher at primary school who ran a book club - and had a passion for reading and writing stories. I still attribute much of who I am to day to that man. He introduced me to many of the books I enjoyed - so many of which inspired my love of nature.