For those unfamiliar with it, "A Fly Went By" is one of the Dr. Seuss 'I Can Read' series of books. It's not actually by Dr. Seuss, but it's written in a similar rhyming cadence/style, and in many ways is actually more cleverly written than many of Seuss' own stories (if only because unlike Seuss, author Mike McClintock never "cheats" by making up nonsense words to force a rhyme).
The story is inspired by the old "There was an old lady who swallowed a fly" children's song." It's very well-written, if including a bit too much violent imagery for some parents' taste.
Now, I've been reading this book (and many others, of course: Seuss, Frog & Toad, Richard Scarry, Eric Carle, etc.) to my 5 1/2 year-old son over and over again at bedtime for years. He's been able to read most of the individual words for about the past year or so, and he's read short passages in the past.
However, tonight, he read the entire story to me...by himself, without any assistance (aside from me silently moving my finger along under each word as he read to help him keep his place).
Even more important than his being able to read the whole thing, however, was this: He wanted to read it himself (as opposed to only reading parts of it, which is the compromise I've usually made with him up until now).
No, this diary isn't political.
And no, I suppose it isn't terribly impressive at 5 1/2; as I understand it, some kids are reading novels at that age.
But you know what? I don't care.
I'm an incredibly proud daddy anyway.