Red reading

I am currently reading 'The Lollipop Shoes' by Joanne Harris. I haven't finished it yet, so this isn't a review. I realised that this is another variation of the theme of 'The Red Shoes' fairytale. The lollipop shoes in this story are bright red shoes belonging to a witch character who is seducing the young daughter of a 'good' witch. This is a huge simplification of the enjoyable journey of this book, however I have to say there are interesting parellels.

This repetition of fairytales is something I love about being a reader. "Repetition Leads to Discovery" as some of my students tire of hearing me say. Everytime I hear a new retelling I get deeper distinctions about the message in the story. It is enriching.

I wonder if we are attracted to certain stories and books when we need to learn central things to our own heroes journey. Perhaps we just see the lessons we need right now in the stories we read. Some books linger in your thinking. I take the daily installment of reading and think often throughout the day and notice much.

Another book I am reading right now is 'Red Haze' by Leon Davidson. It is a CBCA shortlisted book for this year. I have learnt quite a bit about the Vietnam war and history through reading it. In SOSE we are learning about Australia's colonialisation by the British and I am interested in colonisation right now. There is always so much to learn. Vietnam's history is interesting and I would like to visit there. I imagine it would be a very unique place.

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Here is the test to find whether your mission on earth is finished. If you're alive, it isn't. ~Richard Bach