九州大分県に住むGarethは古い多読仲間のお連れ合いで、水彩画家です。
（ここでGarethのFacebookページにリンクを貼るとこの記事に戻ってこない
恐れがあるので、リンクは「続き」の最後に・・・
数週間前にわたしがGarethの絵をFacebookで「シェア」したとこと、
こういう返事が来ました。
Thank you for sharing my image. I’m glad you liked it.
By the way, I hope you and your family are well.
I’m learning a lot of Japanese nowadays through reading
Japanese children’s books to my toddler Anne – it’s a lot of fun.
It’s a great way to learn another language. All the best, Gareth.
そこで、わたしはその体験をもう少しだけくわしく書いてほしいとお願いしました。
その返事がこれです・・・
“Although I have known about the extensive reading method for a while I found it difficult to read simple books for babies or toddlers. Perhaps it was pride and the desire to learn Japanese quickly by starting at a harder level. It was only after having a baby that I started to read very simple children’s books and it has made all the difference.
It’s like climbing a mountain by going directly up, certainly it appears to be the quick way but it’s actually the quickest way to giving up. Whereas the longer path with the easier ascent is not only more enjoyable but also makes it much more possible to reach the top of the mountain.
I have become fussy about books though. The story and the illustrations are very important for me. But when I find a book I like I enjoy reading it again and again with my daughter. I think this is good though because I develop a much deeper feeling for the words as well as a deeper enjoyment of the story.
This has also led to a really wonderful time with my baby who is actually now a toddler. The extensive reading method is a wonderful way to spend time with your children and develop a closer bond with them – as well as improve your own and your child’s language abilities.
I feel pretty certain that I will continue this method on a daily basis and hope in the future to give a further report on how it’s all going.”
わたしはもういちいち大きくうなずきました。
Gareth は自分もこどもに戻って、絵とお話を娘さんと一緒に楽しんで
いるのですね。Fussy なのもいい！ Atta boy, Gareth！
絵本がいろいろな意味で大事だと改めて思いました。
絵のない本だけ読んでいるとことばの世界がいびつになるのではないかと
思われます。色がなくなって、風が吹かない、声が機械的になって、顔から
表情が消える－－段階別の読み物ばかり読んでいるとそういう結果になるの
かもしれません。
（灰色の世界を生き返らせるには、絵や画像や映像をたっぷり浴びて、
世界に風を、物語にワクワクを、表情に生気を！）
で、GarethのFacebookページは Gareth Naylor で検索して下さい。
日本の風景の色と奥行きと空気を感じることができます。
Thanks, Gareth. Hope to see you in Tokyo.