just a quick note inspired by diana's post. reading aloud is a great pastime at any age. a friend of mine and her husband read aloud to each other regularly (i think it sounds romantic!), kids generally love to be read aloud to even as tiny infants. in fact, before the age of television, i am under the impression that it was common for the family to gather by the fire in the evenings and listen to work read aloud. on a very wet and cold camping trip last spring a friend of mine read a book she had brought along aloud to me. and when i mentioned this to a friend of mine at work, she told me her family has been doing that for years, especially on camping trips. much of twain's work is especially enjoyable when read aloud, after all at his many lectures that's what he did--read from his works--for a large portion of the lecture. so--read early, read frequently, and read aloud!! kathy farretta northern arizona university