This was such a great read. I’ve been fascinated with MWB for many years, I even read her biography “In The Great Green Room” a few years ago. I loved this essay! So happy I found this substack.
Thank you for forcing me to slow down and linger with the genius of MWB; as a nanny I’ve read Goodnight Moon to many a young child over the years, and it’s one that you have to read multiple times (which thankfully young children demand!) in order to appreciate its quiet rhythm. In my used-children’s-book-shopping over the years I have come across and been curious about her other books, but haven’t taken the time to read them; now I will seek them out.
One difference of opinion I have is on the line “Goodnight nobody”; I have always read it as playful rather than eerie, as a wink to the stalling ways of a child who is saying goodnight to as many things as possible in order to delay bedtime; I also find the word “mush” humorous, though I don’t know if it’s a shift in language over time that makes it sound so silly, or if it was always meant that way.
Thank you for your wonderful writing, and for bringing more appreciation to the overlooked world of artistry in children’s literature 🥰
Thank you for this wonderdul essay. By any chance, do you remember the website where you found the picture of Magaret Wise Brown among the books? Thanks!
This is one of my favorite essays. I've always loved Margaret Wise Brown, but I have never quite been able to articulate why. You've explained my thoughts perfectly!
What a very, very interesting piece - I enjoyed every bit of it! Thankyou for all the thought and careful research that must have gone into writing it.
Thanks, Sarah. And I'm so glad you mentioned that, because for some reason Brown's many mentions of celery in her books fascinates me. Her line "Someone was eating celery" in The Winter Noisy Book seems like nothing, it's random and wonderful - and you totally hear it when you read it. I just love that line!
She had such an incredible ear -- you absolutely nailed it with the "sonic texture of her words" (itself an indication of *your* ear) -- which is, of course, what made her a great poet.
This was such a great read. I’ve been fascinated with MWB for many years, I even read her biography “In The Great Green Room” a few years ago. I loved this essay! So happy I found this substack.
Thank you for forcing me to slow down and linger with the genius of MWB; as a nanny I’ve read Goodnight Moon to many a young child over the years, and it’s one that you have to read multiple times (which thankfully young children demand!) in order to appreciate its quiet rhythm. In my used-children’s-book-shopping over the years I have come across and been curious about her other books, but haven’t taken the time to read them; now I will seek them out.
One difference of opinion I have is on the line “Goodnight nobody”; I have always read it as playful rather than eerie, as a wink to the stalling ways of a child who is saying goodnight to as many things as possible in order to delay bedtime; I also find the word “mush” humorous, though I don’t know if it’s a shift in language over time that makes it sound so silly, or if it was always meant that way.
Thank you for your wonderful writing, and for bringing more appreciation to the overlooked world of artistry in children’s literature 🥰
Thanks, Angela. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I actually agree with you. I think 'goodnight nobody' is eerie *and* hilarious, a good joke by MWB. :)
I LOVED IT SO MUCH! Taylor, you did such a good job capturing the essence of how it feels to inhabit her books. Not any easy feat. You are amazing ❤️
Thanks, Rachel! XOXO
Thank you for this wonderdul essay. By any chance, do you remember the website where you found the picture of Magaret Wise Brown among the books? Thanks!
So happy to find Moonbow, especially right as you publish this article about one of my favorite favorite favorites.
I'm happy you found Moonbow too! MWB is the BEST! :)
This is one of my favorite essays. I've always loved Margaret Wise Brown, but I have never quite been able to articulate why. You've explained my thoughts perfectly!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!
This is a wonderful piece, thank you for your great work and dedication
Thank you!
What a very, very interesting piece - I enjoyed every bit of it! Thankyou for all the thought and careful research that must have gone into writing it.
Thank you, Jane! So glad you enjoyed it.
I don't know how you do it, Taylor -- this was outstanding. Your best essay yet, I think.
(And let me just say that anyone who has a preoccupation with celery can come sit by me just for the sheer oddity and deep charm of that.)
Thanks, Sarah. And I'm so glad you mentioned that, because for some reason Brown's many mentions of celery in her books fascinates me. Her line "Someone was eating celery" in The Winter Noisy Book seems like nothing, it's random and wonderful - and you totally hear it when you read it. I just love that line!
She had such an incredible ear -- you absolutely nailed it with the "sonic texture of her words" (itself an indication of *your* ear) -- which is, of course, what made her a great poet.
I have. It’s fantastic!
Such a gorgeous book!
Agreed! And so smart, funny, and poetic.