-Updated- Jordan's first book review- Imaginary Friends (A Giveaway too!)

When we were thinking about having kids or rather coming up with reasons why we would possibly not want kids, one of the reasons being tossed about was "What if they hate reading?"

It was as stupid a reason as it sounded but under all that ridiculousness was an ounce of truth and fear. 

Fast forward to 2014. I am happy to say that JED all have a love affair with books and stories to the point that we don't have enough book shelves for them. (I've tried to borrow books from the library but the problem is that the kids, especially Muffin get so attached to them that there is much bawling that accompanies any attempt to return the book!)

The one with the most ardent love affair with books is Jordan. 

If you asked her to introduce herself, her spiel would go something like that. "Hi, I am Jordan. I am six years old. I like drawing and reading. When I grow up, I would like to be an author. " 

The girl laps it all up. Her reading repertoire is a constantly growing and an interesting one. We've seen her spend hours engrossed in Packrat's 544 page Firefly Anniversary coffee table book. But then she could also spend the same amount of time with her Disney Princess stories. Recently, she even added Calvin and Hobbes into her reading diet. This is over and above whatever ballerina books, Geronimo Stilton books and Enid Blytons that we have lying around. We've lost her in our house before because she was so engrossed in her reading, she did not hear us tear the house apart looking for her.

We've had friends who have frowned upon the fact that she has Disney Princess books and fancies herself a princess. While we don't actively encourage it, we don't discourage it either because we think it's part of her world and we 've seen the stories that she weaves, on paper and in play. More often than not, they are more than just about the princess marrying the prince.  The scraps that she scribble and illustrate her stories on leave us little insights into the worlds that she creates in her head.

So it was of little surprise to us when Aunty Mel sent Jordan a copy of her book Imaginary Friends and she totally lost herself in it. Her eyes lit up when she received a package in the mail addressed to her and they positively glowed when she saw that it was a book. Aunty Mel's book was basically a collection of 26 short stories about 26 Imaginary Friends, ranging from A to Z. And for the next week, any free time she had and some time she didn't, she was with Aunty Mel and her 26 Imaginary Friends. She read it at meal times, she read it when she was supposed to be doing her homework, she even brought it to school.

When she had enough time with the book and I managed to wrestle the book from her (I had the electronic version but I'm old school and wanted her version!), I read it and asked her about what she liked about it. 

Mommy: So, what did you like about Aunty Mel's book?

Jordan: I liked the pictures. Aunty Mel said I could colour them if I wanted to. 

Mommy: Was there anything else you liked about it? 

Jordan: The stories had conflict and they had interesting characters. Aunty C (her kindy teacher) said all good books must have that.

Mommy: What were your favourite titles?

Jordan: Y is for Yogi the Yodelling Yak. I also liked L is for Lucy the Lucky Leek. So many of the same letters! (Giggles)

Mommy: Did you read all the stories? 

Jordan: I read some of them. Some I liked. Some I didn't understand. 

Mommy: Of the stories you read, which one did you like the most?

Jordan: I liked "B is for Bertie the Bored Butterfly."

Mommy: Can you tell me why?

Jordan: Because Bertie didn't like crowds and the boy was kind. He saved the butterfly from the Butterfly Park. And Bertie now lives in a small garden. 

Mommy: Is there anything else you liked about the book?

Jordan: Aunty Mel had a pink water bottle named Janet when she was 8 years old. She is like me. I have Elly but not the eraser (E is for Elly the Egotistical Eraser). 

Jordan: Mommy, you ask too many questions. Can I ask you one?

Mommy: What is it? 

Jordan: What did YOU like about the stories?

Mommy: I liked the fact that Aunty Mel made animals and things alive and interesting. I liked that Aunty Mel used them to tell us stories about what sometimes happens in our lives. 

Jordan: Huh?

Mommy: Never mind. When you grow older, you will understand it a lot more.

So there we had it. Jordan did her first book review and most of it was spot on.

Because the stories were mainly written for an adult audience, she obviously didn't get quite a bit of it. But it was sometimes wickedly funny and snarky with morals like "If office politics get too ridiculous, just get outta there." that totally resounded with me. Our joint favourite was "O for Olivia the Overachieving Octopus". 

She loved it because her new school bag has an octopus on it that looks like Olivia. The story had to do with the Sea King, King Neptune, a character she is familiar with and she knew enough to not like the restless daughter and feel sorry for Olivia. I loved it because it was a good reminder. That not one thing should define who I am. I learnt it in uni but as a mother and a somewhat ambitious person, I sometimes forget that as well.

Of course, there were phrases that were slightly mature for her age like "Never be too smug about success or good fortune; you'll never know when shit hits the fan". That required a lot of explaining but it was like reading Aesop's fables with her but much less macabre and far more enjoyable. 

I actually suspect that those bits, the moral of the story lines, were actually her favourite parts because it appealed to the big and naggy sister in her. She would try them out on Evan, only to get a rude brush off and an evil glare. 

But when all was said and done, reading Aunty Mel's book made me slightly wistful. I had dreams at various points in my life to write various books but life always got in the way. Mel did it admirably and did it most imaginatively, succintly and enjoyably. All this while looking after a toddler, which is no mean feat. 

It also made me want to take out my whole Calvin and Hobbes collection to re-read and also  reminded me of the times when I had imaginary friends and tea parties with them. 

So, if you, like me, would like a chance to read some stories of seemingly childish kid things and their shenanigans and think about your own childhood, the lessons you learnt while you played with your friends real or otherwise, here's an opportunity to do so. And you will be amongst the first in Singapore to get your hands on the books! (They are only released this coming weekend in Singapore.)

Mel is very generously giving away 5 signed copies of her book to Diaperbag readers with friends like hers. 

All you have to do is to 

1. Let us know who your imaginary friend was/ is and how it/he/she was your best friend in the comments below. Please leave us your name and an email address so that we can contact you if we pick your entry. 

2. Pop over to Imaginary Friends' Facebook page and 'like' the page so that you can get to know the Friends a little bit better. 

3. And if you really like this book or knows someone who might, please share this post with them!

Share with us your imaginary friend tale by 14 April 2014.

This giveaway is only open to readers from Singapore. 

If you really want a copy of the book and we didn't pick you, do not fret. The books will be available at $10.70 at all major bookstores from next week on!

- Melanie, the author of Imaginary Friends, has decided that each and every entry deserves a copy of the book, so congratulations to everyone who took part! Melanie will be contacting you soon!-

 

Disclaimer: We received a copy of Imaginary Friends but all opinions expressed are entirely Jordan's and mine. They are in no way influenced by any external sources.