Emma's answers to Readings for a child

Question

Hi. I hope you can help. My 7 year old nephew is keen to do a reading at our wedding (bless!) but we're really struggling to find something that's appropriate for someone of his age to read as most wedding readings are quite mature in content and tone. We've ruled out the Owl and the Pussycat and think A.A. Milne's Us Two is a bit too long. Do you know of any other poems that focus on love or long-term partnership that would be suitable for a 7 year old to read? Any advice would be brilliant!

Answer

Thank you for your email and congratulations on your engagement. How sweet to have your 7 year old nephew do a reading at your wedding! Here are a few suggestion for what he could read:

1. from The House At Pooh Corner
A.A. Milne (1882-1956)

"Pooh, promise you won't forget about me, ever. Not even when I'm a hundred."

Pooh thought for a little.
"How old shall I be then?"
"Ninety-nine." Pooh nodded.
"I promise," he said.

Still with his eyes on the world, Christopher Robin put out a hand and felt for Pooh's paw.

"Pooh," said Christopher Robin earnestly, "if I - if I'm not quite" he stopped and tried again "Pooh, whatever happens, you will understand, won't you?
"Understand what?"
"Oh, nothing." He laughed and jumped to his feet. "Come on!"
"Where?" said Pooh.
"Anywhere," said Christopher Robin.


2. Eskimo Love Song
Author Unknown

You are my husband [wife]
My feet shall run because of you
My feet dance because of you
My heart shall beat because of you
My eyes see because of you
My mind thinks because of you
And I shall love because of you.

3. "Hug O' War", by Shel Silverstein

I will not play at tug o' war. I'd rather play at hug o' war, where everyone hugs instead of tugs, where everyone giggles, and rolls on the rug, where everyone kisses, and everyone grins, and everyone cuddles, and everyone wins.

Hope this helps and that you have a wonderful wedding.
Best wishes,

Emma x