Early Memory

I can remember first laying eyes on this book as a kid and being completely hooked simply because of the title. I mean, how does a "Chocolate Factory" not peak a child's interest?

I still have this book today, and every once and a while when I happen to pick it up and go through it, I smile to myself as I glance at the crinkled pages and the worn down cover. I used to take this book everywhere with me when I was younger; to school, even to restaurants. You name it and I'm 99% positive I've brought it there. 
There was just something about this book that made it impossible for me to put it down. Maybe it was the mysterious and quirky ways of Mr. Wonka, or the occasional music numbers from the Oompa Loompas, but throughout the novel I found myself losing track of time as I glided through the story while giggling at the cartoon pictures. I'd start reading at 3 O'clock and before I knew it, I'd be floating down the chocolate river in Willy Wonka's Factory at 7 O'clock.

I think that's probably why I loved this book so much. It was a completely different world beyond my imagination that I could immerse myself in for a few hours. Being an only child, I had to get pretty creative when it came to entertaining myself. And as a child, I loved reading all different types of books. But this one especially stood out to me because I couldn't wrap my head around how it was possible to chew a piece of gum that turned the character, Violet, into "a blueberry." Or how good things come to those who wait; when Charlie finally got that golden ticket after a countless number of times of searching for it.

This book was my way of not only occupying my time, but also a way for me to expand my imagination. Even to this day I remember reading this book in awe and feeling completely devestated when it was over. (Even though there's the sequel; Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, it wasn't the same.) I even wrote on the very last blank page of the book, "This book made me very hungry." Don't ask me why I decided to write that, but hey, I was being honest, there were some yummy stuff in that book.

I actually came across a little girl the other day who was reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and it put the biggest smile on my face. I'm not quite sure why it made me so happy, but it just brought back those memories of me clutching the book in my hand, eager to find out what happened next. I guess part of me hoped and wished that she would experience the same things that I did; the laughs, the awe and the feeling of fingers gripping tightly to the book, eager to find out what happens next.