The Books I Never Forgot: How Childhood Stories Shaped Who I Am

As a kid, I looked forward to story time every single night. Most of the books from my childhood have faded from memory–but a few have stayed with me, clear as ever. Now, at 20 years old and working with Book Harvest, I’ve been reflecting on the stories that stuck–and why they matter so much.

One of my all-time favorites was Pete’s a Pizza–a book about a little boy who is feeling sad because of the rainy weather, so his dad bakes him into a pizza. Pete is kneaded, tossed like dough, and sprinkled with imaginary toppings until he is no longer sad about the rain. I loved it when my dad read this one to me, mostly because being tossed around and transformed into a pizza got me rowdy and active right before bed. As much as this probably drove my parents crazy, this book helped me associate reading with warmth, comfort, and love. It made me excited to read and spend time with my parents, and that’s only one of the many benefits of reading from a young age.

Another book that left a lasting mark on me was Harold and the Purple Crayon. This book made my imagination run wild, as Harold walks through a blank world, using his purple crayon to create objects and characters that invent his story. I remember dragons and apple trees, pies at a picnic, and hot air balloons that led him to the end of his story, where he draws a bed and falls asleep. The idea that Harold was the creator of his own story filled me with inspiration and creativity, teaching me to think outside the box. I made construction-paper shoes, brewed potions out of leaves and mud, and wrote plays with my siblings. Reading this book made me more curious and adventurous, with a desire to try new things and control my own narrative.

Then there was Are You My Mother?–a book that tugged at my emotions in a different way. It’s about a baby bird who hatches while his mother is away from the nest. He walks around asking various animals and objects if they are his mother, but he has no luck. His journey is both funny and sad, but when he is about to give up, a steam shovel (who is not his mother) blasts him back to his nest, where his mother is waiting for him. This story made me feel sad for the bird, and made me think about how lost I would be without my mother. It helped me learn empathy and taught me not to give up, even when things are hard.

The thing that drove me to Book Harvest was a realization that my love for books and learning was a privilege that not every kid is lucky enough to have. When my parents read to me, I unknowingly built up my vocabulary, memory, and focus. I engaged in critical thinking and empathy, developing a positive attitude towards reading that some kids don’t get to experience. Book Harvest targets the root of this issue by providing free children’s books and supporting parents, ensuring that every family has the resources to give their children what they need to succeed and develop a love for reading. Every child deserves the chance to build memories like these. That’s why I believe so deeply in Book Harvest’s mission: to ensure every child not only has access to books, but also to joy, imagination, and the love that comes with being read to.