I’m really struggling with the idea of using adapted versions of classic texts with my younger kids. I’ve always intended to, but earlier this year, I was challenged to “save” moments for my kids so that they could experience the joy of anticipation. As a parent, this resonated with me because I was so concerned about doing everything as soon as possible and making sure my girls enjoyed their childhood. But the idea of saving some things so they would be special later in life took a lot of pressure off and is something I’m now intentional about. That being said, I started thinking about this concept in terms of school, specifically literature. I remember being a freshman in high school reading Tale of Two Cities for the first time (with an amazingly passionate teacher, which I’m sure helped!) and experiencing the story in its original text, the beauty of the language, Charles Dickens’ style and humor hidden within it, the redeeming qualities of Carton’s character as the story comes to a close... would the experience have been the same if I’d known the ending? I highly doubt it. Which makes me question whether or not I want my daughters to know the stories (by reading an adapted version) before experiencing the text in its entirety. Undoubtedly, there are good adaptations available, but none are the originals. In the well-trained mind book, Jessie and Susan encourage the use of adapted texts so they are not intimidating in later years. But they also say that a child only gets to experience “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” for the first time ONCE. So why would I want that first experience to be with a knock- off of the original, an adapted version that lacks the style and rich language and depth that has made the story so beloved?