Too much

-

Some days, the world is just too much. So I retreat into a book. Not just any book, but one I know is safe to read. And that means I often end up with a book written for children. 

Oh, the joy of a story well told about a character, young of age, interested in exploring themselves and the world, and doing things! 


My most comforting childhood read is about Jill and her ponies. Anything I might know about riding comes from the Jill books — including how to fall off one and get right back up. I tried to follow this advice when I fell off my Aunt Vivian’s horse Kitty, but I didn’t quite manage it. I just trailed into the house looking for comfort. Vivian marched me right back out to get back up on Kitty. Harsh, but a good lesson. 


I enjoy reading the 3-book series about Emma, who has to go live with her absent-minded aunt Patsy in Edinburgh after her parents are killed in a car crash. Children’s books are not all fun and games. Emma’s story is all about figuring out how to create a good life with Patsy, even though she would much rather not have to. That’s a good lesson, too. 


I love the Nurse Barton series, practically know it by heart and still enjoy every one of the seven books about Sue and her pals in nursing school, and then her life as a doctor’s wife and neighbourhood nurse. The lessons in those stories are about being kind and using one’s skills for whatever good one can in the circumstances in which one finds oneself. Another good lesson. 


The Penderwicks are a fun read about a loving family, who seem to genuinely enjoy each other’s company. So comforting to read of such a family when we are living in such troubled times. 


Today, however, I am reading a series new to me, about Ramona, a cheerful younger sister to Beatrice, created by Beverly Cleary. It’s good writing about ordinary children whose parents love them and who read a lot of books. What could be more comforting than that? 


Do you read children’s books or do you find comfort by other means? 


-----

A Post a Day in May No. 20 For the past two years, I have posted something to this blog every single day in May. This year, I hope to do it again. 


Comments

  1. AnnMay 20, 2021 at 5:52 AM

    Alas, I do not read children's books any more. Although with four littles, I've read quite a lot. But that's not what you mean, is it.

    I have saved a few books from my childhood. They are displayed in a case in my bedroom. I haven't opened one in decades.

    So my comfort comes from my partner, of course, and from Penny Lane and Sergeant Pepper and Eliot. Pictures of the new great grandchild come daily -- what a record those parents will have of Baby Griffin and all his firsts! I'd give a lot to hear the laughter from my babies again.

    It is past mid-May, and already I'm sad thinking these daily messages from you will soon end. It is the best thing I read in my morning mail, saving it for last, to savor.

    ReplyDelete
  2. danielle-momoMay 20, 2021 at 6:35 AM

    I always find comfort in reading.
    Not children books, because I mostly read books from the school library in my youth and nothing stayed with me to this day.
    I reread books that I particularly loved as an adult and that I know they will bring me pleasure and comfort.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Comments are moderated. Please be respectful.

Popular posts from this blog

Life story: I am from...where? who? what?

-
Image
The Le Rougetel family circa 1965: Anne, Charles, Amanda, Katy, Colin I recently attended the celebration of life for a friend’s father who had died at 95. The service was bright with song and lively with memories, and it got me thinking about how we wrap up a life with stories. Stories of fun and adventure, success and achievement, of impact and wisdom. Or maybe stories of hardship and pain, of loss and lack, of hard luck and sorrow. Or, likely, a mix of all that. Regardless, at the end, we celebrate a life in story. It got me thinking about how my story might be told when my end comes. That’s a long way off, I hope, but in the meantime, I pulled out an activity that Deborah and I have used in one of our writing workshops . It’s a variation on the “I am from…” prompt developed by George Ella Lyon , and it’s surprisingly thought provoking. It asks you to dig ever deeper about where you are from — while the cheap answer is Toronto (city where I was born), the richer, more valuable answe
Read more

Looking elsewhere for success: It’s not always found in first place

-
Image
I do not own a magazine. I am not an editor to whom writers submit their work, hoping I will publish it. I am the writer who submits her work hoping it will make the cut with the editor to whom I have submitted it; recently, I have done this without success. But, hang on, what is success for a writer? What is success for any of us? Last week, my writer friend Finnian Burnett made it onto the long list for the 2023 CBC Nonfiction prize . A friend’s success is happily celebrated, so a big HOORAY for Finn ! Reflecting on the meaning of this accomplishment, Finn spoke of feeling proud for having written a piece and thinking it was good enough to submit and then actually submitting it. That is an achievement of which to be justifiably proud, said Finn, because so many writers don’t ever make it to the end of the finish + polish + submit stage. They give up somewhere along the line or disappear down a tangent or never even get started. Finn’s perspective gave me pause and has me reconsideri
Read more

Anne Le Rougetel: my splendid mother

-
Image
April 2024: Anne and Amanda -- mother & daughter with but one nose between us (as it were) Formal notice Anne Le Rougetel died peacefully at home on Friday, April 26, 2024, with her daughters at her side. Born in 1928, Anne was a remarkable woman; a talented writer; an eclectic reader; well versed in world affairs; loving beyond measure to her children; kind and generous to friends; compassionate to those in need. She enjoyed reading a good book and engaging in interesting conversation. Due to failed vision and failing hearing, both these pursuits disappeared from her life in the final year or so. Please remember Anne by taking a friend to coffee and enjoying a delicious pastry. Anne was predeceased by her husband Colin. She is survived by her three children and their families: Katy (Guy). Amanda (Val). Charles (Lisa, Max and Sam). Special mention must be made of Barbara Chan, who was a generous friend and caring companion to Anne, and of Edna Abel, who was a loving friend and inte
Read more