I Wanna Be Princess Leia!

(I’m re-shelving books in the children’s section when a mother comes by with her son, who’s all of six years old. He’s clearly excited about getting to pick out books he can read. As I’m putting away books, the following exchange takes place:)

Boy: “Ooh, Mama, how about this one?”

Mom: “Uh… it looks a little higher than your reading level, babe. But if you wanna try, go for it.”

(The kid happily hands his mother a book, then stares at the shelves.)

Boy: “Mom, I want a princess book.”

(Internally I cringe, thinking the kid is about to hear, “No, those are for girls.”)

Mom: “Well go find one then.”

(He returns after a minute and holds one up to her.)

Mom: “Let me see it. Cinderella, huh? Yeah. I think you’ll like that one. Okay, go find some more books.”

(He grabs about three more and brings them back to his mom.)

Mom: “Wait, is that Star Wars? Is that MY child, reading Star Wars? Oh yes it is, uh-huh, that is MY child!”

(She sounded so proud. It was the cutest thing!)