Here’s a story about my oldest granddaughter, then age five, told to me by her parents (also known as my son and daughter-in-law).
One night while watching the game show Jeopardy! an answer came up about a substance to be swallowed before a certain kind of X-ray.
Our then-kindergartener instantaneously responded: “What is barium?”
Which is correct.
“How do you know that?” asked the astonished parents.
“It’s in Franna’s Curious George book,” said my granddaughter.
And so it is. I’ve read it to her countless times.
George being prepped for an X-ray after swallowing a puzzle piece in Curious George Goes to the Hospital,
Margret and H.A. Rey, 1966.
She never tires of this book and asks me to read it to her even now when, at age seven, she can read anything she wants on her own. My son once found one of his theology books in her bed.
I recall that that one of the greatest Jeopardy! champs of all time, James Holzhauer, said that he prepared for the show by reading children’s books in the library: “I don’t know why more people don’t do it.”
My little X-ray expert’s future looks so promising.
Lord, let me be here to see it.
*******
with thanks to Two Writing Teachers for the monthlong Slice of Life Story Challenge
lit bits and pieces 
Your slice, and your granddaughter’s love of Curious George harkens me back to my childhood. When I was her age I adored the stories of the man with the big yellow hat and his monkey.
This is such a sweet family slice.
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Thank, Book Dragon, and she’s been a huge Curious George fan since she was tiny.
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How great is this!? I can just imagine the looks on your son and daughter-in-law’s faces! I love that the Jeopardy champ prepared for the show by reading children’s books at the library. Another testimony to the power of picture books!
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They were so astonished, and my granddaughter just shrugged, as if to say doesn’t everyone know about barium?
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What a funny coincidence! Yes I am currently the the world of repeatedly reading that book. Maybe all of this repeated reading will pay off!
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I hope it will-!!! I have read this book to my granddaughter so often I could probably recite it all from memory.
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She’s got a great memory! 🙂
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She really does!
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Fran, I was in the children’s book section of our library yesterday, scouring the shelves for blooms and fairies and verses about both. There is nothing quite like children’s books to help us understand even complex things, I agree. This slice tells what an amazing grandparent does to impart the love of books and language to her grandchildren – – what a powerful reminder to read, and I love the quote you blended in from Jeopardy. I agree with him – – the way to learn is to read children’s books. What are some of your all-time favorites? I’m curious.
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Oh my, Kim – how much space do I have here? My childhood favorites were the Narnia Chronicles, the Little House books (now controversial, but I so identified with Laura and was mesmerized by life in pioneer days), Seuss (also controversial now, but I loved all the wordplay), Grimm’s fairy tales, an anthology called Mostly Magic, and lots of biographies. My favorite of those was entitled Helen Keller’s Teacher; I was awed by Annie before I “met” Helen. I could make a separate list of picture books now…
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Thanks for sharing this slice. It is amazing the things kids remember when they are readers.
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So very true.
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I’m a great fan of Curious George, our school has been donated quite a few different titles over the years. I never cease to wonder how a child’s mind works and the facts that they remember.
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What children absorb is amazing – they have the most fascinating insights. My granddaughter has loved Curious George all of her life. Two or three years in a row, she wanted – and got – a Curious George birthday cake!
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Scout reminds me of my oldest granddaughter, Sierra. She shares the same curiosity, love of words, and reading books. You have to love what children say, especially when it is a total surprise. Have a great weekend, Fran.
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I am sure Sierra and Scout would get along famously, Carol! It’s amazing what children absorb. Happy weekend to you & yours.
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This is so cool! We also had endless repetitions of books when my son was young. There’s nothing quite like reading aloud with a child curled up next to you.
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That is the truth – although we may tire of rereading the same story over and over, there’s great value in it for the kids.
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Oh my gosh! Another wonderful surprise, Fran! Leave it to Curious Georgeand Scout! One smart cookie! Please promise me that before the 31st you will write a post about Denis. I miss him.
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Dear Joanne…tomorrow’s post is especially for you and that’s all I’m gonna say! ❤
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