Clarence’s Big Secret
By Roy MacGregor & Christine MacGregor Cation, Illustrated by Mathilde Ting-Mars
(Tumblebooks)
Clarence has a big secret he doesn’t want anyone to know. He can’t read. The very first day of school children laugh at him so he leaves and never returns. Soon after leaving school Clarence’s Dad becomes blind in an accident and he takes over the family farm. Clarence goes on to become a logger, miner and successful farmer.
Clarence falls in love decides to get married. He and his wife are the only ones who know his secret, his daughters don’t even know. Sadly, one day his wife passes away and Clarence needs to figure out how to read. He is nearly 100 years old and he tries teaching himself to read using junk mail. Eventually, Clarence tells one of his daughters, a teacher, and she helps him learn how to read. Once he can read he can’t stop and goes on to advocate literacy until his death at 105 years old!
I loved this true story. It makes you want to thank the person that taught you how to read. It is also an inspiration for little ones getting ready to learn how to read.
Visit Concord Public Library online for Tumblebooks and Tumblemath at concordpubliclibrary.net.
Lorraine Myers
