When I was a little girl, I was lucky to live in a house that contained many different kinds of books for me to look at. Novels, encyclopedias, weird medical dictionaries, art books, fairy tales, classics, and so on. I essentially felt like I could pick up any book in the house, regardless of the age it was directed toward, and find something interesting inside.

I want to build the same kind of environment for our daughter. I have quite a few big reference dictionaries; a Martha Stewart trilogy of crafting, homekeeping, and cooking, each filled with huge photos and illustrations; many many novels of all levels; lots of Edward Gorey and Calvin & Hobbes; all the old “Life is Hell” collections by Groening; and various other coffee table books. I even have a few children’s books! I think the point is that as soon as she can read, which she will probably be able to do by the time she is three, she’s free to open any book she wants, even just to look at the pictures.

Wow she is kicking me so vigorously this evening. Growth spurt, surely.