And if you’re struggling with finding that perfect gift for Valentine’s Day, consider giving to RIF in your sweetheart’s name. There’s nothing like the warm fuzzies they’ll get when they realize they’ve helped a child in need get their very own book.

Fairy in Danger

Phew! Fairy doctors really come in handy, don’t they? So glad you liked your book, Katie. We’re also big fans of your fairy drawing.

The Great Outdoors

Gracie, we dig funny books — like Piper Reed, Campfire Girl – too. And even though Piper does get poison ivy, we’re rooting for her right along with you. Marshmallows anybody?

Like Honest Abe

Wow, Kaimi, hearts are melting here. You just filled our bucket.

Reading Rainbow

Madeline, we couldn’t have said it any better—we think books are pretty cool too, not to mention your rainbow.

Daredevil

Javier, you’re welcome – and that’s quite an illustration! Just remember to wear a helmet, OK?

The Dinosaur Lover

Nia, Tyrannosaurus Dad is a great book, isn’t it? We just love how appreciative you are. Keep on reading kiddo!

Happy Valentine’s Day, Book People. Now let’s spread the book love.

Just yesterday I finished reading it to my little girl, choking up when Wilbur has to say his final goodbye to Charlotte – unarguably the most memorable gray spider in literature.

Turns out, E.B. White cried too. It wasn’t until the 17th take that he could do it without breaking down.

Listen to NPR’s story for more. And feel free to leave a comment paying tribute to Charlotte and her creator.

All in all, she seems to be enjoying it immensely. Even if it’s giving her dreams that many would call nightmares. …

At 6 a.m. Saturday, Riley jumps out of her bed and trots into our room. Her mom’s already out for an early run, so she climbs into mom’s spot and mutters something about her “golden crickets.” I assume she’s half asleep and we both try (unsuccessfully) to go back to sleep.

Eventually we relent to wakefulness and head to the kitchen.  She’s clearly awake now as I’m pouring her some milk.

“Daddy! I had a wonderful dream last night!”

“Really honey? Tell me about it.”

“Well, there were these golden crickets! And they were covering me up and tickling me. Keeping me warm. Like a blanket!”

“Wow, really … How many?” ["And how were you not horrified?"]

“So many! All over me, Daddy! And there were spiders too! They had hairy legs and soft little pincer toes. That tickled too.”

“… Uh, wow. That’s great honey. So, you liked this?” [Again, you're not mentally scarred from this experience, right?]

“Yes, it was wonderful!”

“Well, that’s fantastic honey. Great dreaming. Let’s be sure to tell Mommy all about it when she gets back from her run.” [Big hug.]

Did I mention Mom has a fairly sizable fear of spiders?

A couple days ago, Riley also dug out of her closet a large stuffed spider she got as a baby (as a gag gift given her mom’s stance on the whole spider issue). She’s slept with this stuffed animal the last three nights and renamed her Charlotte.

Mom was as amazed at this story as I was. Truth be told, the girls amaze us daily — but this was some spectacular stuff. And while the spider part makes sense, given Charlotte’s role in the book, the crickets are a bit more difficult to pin down. Here’s what I’ve deduced as their origin.

1) Riley loves all kinds of bugs, and crickets seem to be in abundance right now.

2) Early on in the book, Fern’s dad makes Wilbur a bed of (golden) straw. Wilbur nests in the straw. Either the book made reference to the straw tickling Wilbur, or when Riley and I were talking about the book, we talked about how that would be ticklish.

1+2=A dream only a kid wouldn’t find terrifying.