Now Reading: Madame Chiang Kai-shek: China's Eternal First Lady
Just Finished: George Washington, Spymaster: How the Americans Outspied the British and Won the Revolutionary War, Adrian Mole and the Weapons of Mass Destruction, Shug
I was really looking forward to finishing up Madame Chiang Kai-Shek this weekend, but I left it at work, because I'm smooth like that. Ah well. Here are some great, classic works of children's literature that I really should have read when I was 12.
The Boggart by Susan Cooper
The Volnik family has inherited an old, Scottish castle. They can't keep it, but they go off to Scotland to see it and get it ready for sale. They decide to have some of the furniture shipped back to Canada, but that's not all that comes--the castle's Boggart, a practical joke playing spirit, has gotten trapped in one of the boxes and has landed in a modern, large city.
The Boggart is full of good-natured mischief and he does like
some things about modern living--pizza for one, and electricity. Where the youngest Volnik, Jessup, enjoys this behavior, the older one, Emily, gets blamed for it-- the Boggart's well meaning actions often land her in trouble. Eventually, she is accused of causing psychic disturbances and it looks like she will have to be hospitalized. The Boggart feels terrible, but everything he tries to help just makes things worse. All he really wants it to go home, but how?
I would have loved this book when I was 12. I liked the portrayals of small village life in Scotland and how the Boggart tried to fit into his new surroundings. I liked the kids, too. Part of the problem is that it's a high-tech solution, but, given that this book came out in the early 90s, the technology is so horribly out of date that it seems a bit laughable now. The Boggart's mischief also would have been a lot more humorous at the age of 12 then I found it at the age of 26.
Tom's Midnight Garden by Philippa Pearce
Tom is shipped off to spend the summer at his aunt and uncle's flat when his brother comes down with measles. Not only does he have to live there, but, he's confined to the flat because he's been exposed to the disease. One night Tom hears the clock downstairs strike 13 and finds a garden that only exists in this lost hour. During his time in the garden, Tom befriends a small girl, Hatty, who is often ignored by her older (male) cousins. Tom knows that Hatty doesn't exist in his time plane and has to find a way to stay with his aunt and uncle.
I think the thing that got me the most was the timing in this book. There are a a few scenes of Tom and Hatty meeting and then you see Tom no longer missing his brother and being distraught at the thought of leaving his aunt and uncle's (and therefore the garden). I thought that these scenes were just representative of a long and building friendship, but then you find out that Tom's only been there for a little over a week (and he didn't get to the garden the first few nights). It just didn't make sense. I also found the ending twist painfully obvious, but I think that Pearce was a pioneer in this respect. This is, however, one of Silvey's 100 best books for children. When I was 12, the wonder and magic of the garden would have captivated me a lot more and I would not have noticed the weird timing and I don't think I would have figured out the ending so soon.
Five Children and It by E. Nesbit
Five children are staying at a country house and are enthralled by all the freedom it has to offer. While playing in a nearby gravel pit, they find a Psammead (a sand fairy) who will grant them their wishes, but everything they wish for goes horribly wrong.
This was disappointing, because it became painfully obvious that my childhood favorite, Half Magic, completely ripped off the plot from this book (but totally did it better). Edgar gives full credit and props to Ms. Nesbit, but still, completely heartbreaking.
I have a couple of favorites from when I was a kid. One was my Dad's and the set of two was my Mom's. I remember being read from these before bed. The copies I have here are WELL read and a bit tattered.
"Yankee Doodle's Cousins" Anne Malcolmson illustrated by Robert McClosky , Houghton Mifflin Co. 1941.
"The Family Treasury of Children's Stories" two volumes edited by Pauline Rush Evans Illustrated by Donald Sibley. Doubleday & Co. 1956.
I like the illustrations in the first better. The stories are good too. If you'd like a look inside I can send you images to your email Eric.
That's about it as far as OLD one's go around here. I left most of my book collection behind when I moved. I'll keep you in mind next time I am at my folk's house and send some others we liked along.
Are you looking for suggestions on NEW books too?
Thanks Frank, please do email me some images, that would be great. And yes I am looking for new books too. I don't know those books but I love American Children's books from the 50's and 60's, some amazing stuff was being published then. Thank you so much for the recommendations!
I'll try to get those off tonight.
Love your artwork and those beautiful old books!
Sandra Evertson
Thanks Sandra, that means a lot !
The Brave Little Taylor by the Dugins. (dugin/Dugina)
Frog Belly Ratbone (Timothy BAsil Ering)
The Widows Broom (Chris van Allsburg)
Pumpkin Soup (Helen Cooper)
Moondog (Wayne Anderson/Helen Ward)
25 December Street (ditto)
I have had a bit of bad illustration news too, but I am resorting to chocolate biscuits, worse for the figure but better for my purse!
When I was a child, I enjoyed this artist's picture book series.
http://www.nezumikun.com/sakasu/index.html
I know it's in Japanese! But by clicking on the red letters you can follow the story.
Thanks Gretel! I'm so glad you included Pumpkin Soup, I've been trying to remember Helen Cooper's name for about 2 weeks! I went to a book store to find it hoping it would jump out at me, I even described it to the clerk! Funnily enough, I did buy Widow's Broom that day. What a cool book, I love the long format and it's creepy but in a nice way.
I know Frog Belly Rat Bone but haven't yet bought it, I love the art and when I first saw it in a store I tried to paint in a similar way as an experiment. I'll have to buy it.
I love the look of the Dugin's work. I think I was put off thois boxing day when they were selling the book they did with Madonna for 4 dollars. I was a bit disgusted that hey're names weren't on the cover. I should buy it though. Have you seen their dragon painting? Diterlizzi recently posted an image of it on his blog and I thought it was super cool.I was introduced to Helen Ward recently when an author said my work reminded me of her's(??!!!)-I wish! But I only really first saw her work when I got Magic Pencil which features her inside. Great stuff. Thank you so much for these suggestions. I want them all.
Thanks Mika! I've never seen his work before. I love how he uses colour that gives a sense of movement and the folky quality reminds me of your work! I'll try and track some of his stuff down. There are a lot of Japanese grocerie stores here but I'd love to see a Japenese children's book store! I suppose that's asking a lot.
Hi Eric!
That's so funny, I went to your blog and recognized myself RIGHT away, then I had to read the blurb to confirm it. I love that drawing, I feel like a star now!
Sounds like you got some great new books. Where's this store?
Thanks Ambera, that's a big complement! The Jade is up the street from JWD's on...I don't remember the name of the street!
Have you read the Adventure Series by Enid Blyton? We had to go to half.com (and actually got them from England) but we loved them! Edward Eager and E Nesbit were other favorites. I'm on the third book in the Bartimaeus Trilogy right now by Jonathan Stroud - I'm having a ball with them!
Thanks Mary Beth, you know- I've never read Enid Blyton, I will give one of the Adventure books a try. I'm a huge Nesbit fan and am always looking for her stuff. I don't really know Eager, I'll check him out too. And I'm on the second Bartimaeus book. Thanks so much! I bet you have countless great book stores in New Jersey.