That was an interesting article you shared about continuers and dividers... I think I’m more of a continuer because I do feel connected to my childhood (a lot of my tastes in movies and books are the same, and I’m always drawn to certain types of narratives and themes). I suppose that’s a good thing since I’m working on some children’s stories right now 😄 Even though I’ve changed over the years, I can still can recognize aspects of myself that have remained the same.
Thanks, Daisy! I wish I could have gotten more into the weeds - so that it made more sense, but my stuff is already so long! But I agree with you, and I think most people feel that way. One thing that I kept thinking about was this notion the New Yorker article mentioned—of being very present with current sense of self and seeing things more episodically vs. being very tied to your past self and seeing your life more as a narrative. I kept thinking that good children's book authors (or at least my favorites) are sort of both of those things. They are not just living as their child self, they are adults who are constantly changing, who see the world through a very different lens than they did as a kid, but yet they can bridge those two worlds in ways that others can't. They also don't over romanticize the past through the adult lens. Their stories are warm and engaging while also being fragmented or maybe even elusive. Does this make any sense? haha!
It does make sense, and I agree with you! There’s a depth of meaning to be found in the best children’s books -- often times, they can’t be fully understood until you go back and read them as adults. And then you see a new theme the child you would never have picked up on.
I wholeheartedly agree that The Carrot Seed is brilliant and perfect. And I adore Everything Under a Mushroom -- the first time I read that book I was so happy it exists in the world.
And I'm about 3/4 of the way through Dear Genius: The Letters of Ursula Nordstrom -- taking it slowly, reading it when I feel like it, savoring it. Nordstrom herself was amazing.
I don't own Everything Under a Mushroom—that needs to change! Oh yes, I did the same with Dear Genius. I'm rereading parts of it again, too! So good. Thanks for sharing, Sarah!
So glad you linked to this post! Loved it ❤️
Oh I'm so glad!
That was an interesting article you shared about continuers and dividers... I think I’m more of a continuer because I do feel connected to my childhood (a lot of my tastes in movies and books are the same, and I’m always drawn to certain types of narratives and themes). I suppose that’s a good thing since I’m working on some children’s stories right now 😄 Even though I’ve changed over the years, I can still can recognize aspects of myself that have remained the same.
Thanks, Daisy! I wish I could have gotten more into the weeds - so that it made more sense, but my stuff is already so long! But I agree with you, and I think most people feel that way. One thing that I kept thinking about was this notion the New Yorker article mentioned—of being very present with current sense of self and seeing things more episodically vs. being very tied to your past self and seeing your life more as a narrative. I kept thinking that good children's book authors (or at least my favorites) are sort of both of those things. They are not just living as their child self, they are adults who are constantly changing, who see the world through a very different lens than they did as a kid, but yet they can bridge those two worlds in ways that others can't. They also don't over romanticize the past through the adult lens. Their stories are warm and engaging while also being fragmented or maybe even elusive. Does this make any sense? haha!
It does make sense, and I agree with you! There’s a depth of meaning to be found in the best children’s books -- often times, they can’t be fully understood until you go back and read them as adults. And then you see a new theme the child you would never have picked up on.
I wholeheartedly agree that The Carrot Seed is brilliant and perfect. And I adore Everything Under a Mushroom -- the first time I read that book I was so happy it exists in the world.
And I'm about 3/4 of the way through Dear Genius: The Letters of Ursula Nordstrom -- taking it slowly, reading it when I feel like it, savoring it. Nordstrom herself was amazing.
I don't own Everything Under a Mushroom—that needs to change! Oh yes, I did the same with Dear Genius. I'm rereading parts of it again, too! So good. Thanks for sharing, Sarah!