I love this so very much. Isn’t it one of the miracles of being a child that they’re so trusting and don’t need explanations for everything? They just fill in all the blanks with their creative minds creating something probably even better than the adults could come up with if they tried doing all the explaining. For me at least there’s a lesson in this because I like things tidy. I do not like ambiguous endings, I need all the details. I need instructions and rules! Perhaps that is why I was given such a free thinking, creative child 😉. She is constantly forcing me out of my comfort zone. Thank you for this Taylor!
Thanks, Annie! And you’re not alone. I think we’re all naturally inclined to like things tidy, to crave resolution, but it’s nice to get comfy with ambiguity since life is often that way. Glad kids can teach us that!
What a great article, I loved every words!Thank you for writing it! I read Calvino and Kafka when I was younger and I can't wait to read the Skull (in my bucket list).
That page turn!!! It’s so well done. My kids are requesting this book a lot at bedtime and I anticipate those masks with sheer joy. Jaw on the floor in awe type of moment. Sheesh. It’s so good!
I really loved this quote: “they respond, almost involuntarily, to feelings, sights, sounds, colors, ideas, humor—and then they absorb, morph, and distort them, creating something fresh and new.” I think that’s such an apt way of describing how they make sense of the world. I don’t think adults give kids enough credit--we think they don’t know anything but since the time they’re born they’re truly aliens to all things human. They are masters of the abstract; they take in the cacophony of everyday life and mold it into some sort of logical system. It makes total sense that they would delight in the nonsensical, absurd, etc. Adapting it to their understanding is what they’re good at. You’ve described it so perfectly here.
If you enjoy Calvino, I think you’ll like Rodari as well!
Fantastic newsletter. I am currently obsessed with folk and fairy tales. I especially love: "Children don’t respond to moralistic lessons; they respond, almost involuntarily, to feelings, sights, sounds, colors, ideas, humor—and then they absorb, morph, and distort them, creating something fresh and new." I've spent the past couple years orally telling my son folk tales. And I'm always amazed when something happens in real life and he can easily relate it to a folk tale we've talked about.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Christina! I think reading a story out loud to each other is one of the most important things we can do, not only as parents, but as humans. It's how we form connections to ourselves and others. I love that you've been focusing on that with your son. Thank you.
I love this so very much. Isn’t it one of the miracles of being a child that they’re so trusting and don’t need explanations for everything? They just fill in all the blanks with their creative minds creating something probably even better than the adults could come up with if they tried doing all the explaining. For me at least there’s a lesson in this because I like things tidy. I do not like ambiguous endings, I need all the details. I need instructions and rules! Perhaps that is why I was given such a free thinking, creative child 😉. She is constantly forcing me out of my comfort zone. Thank you for this Taylor!
Thanks, Annie! And you’re not alone. I think we’re all naturally inclined to like things tidy, to crave resolution, but it’s nice to get comfy with ambiguity since life is often that way. Glad kids can teach us that!
What a great article, I loved every words!Thank you for writing it! I read Calvino and Kafka when I was younger and I can't wait to read the Skull (in my bucket list).
Yay, I know you'll love it.
That page turn!!! It’s so well done. My kids are requesting this book a lot at bedtime and I anticipate those masks with sheer joy. Jaw on the floor in awe type of moment. Sheesh. It’s so good!
It's so good!!
I really loved this quote: “they respond, almost involuntarily, to feelings, sights, sounds, colors, ideas, humor—and then they absorb, morph, and distort them, creating something fresh and new.” I think that’s such an apt way of describing how they make sense of the world. I don’t think adults give kids enough credit--we think they don’t know anything but since the time they’re born they’re truly aliens to all things human. They are masters of the abstract; they take in the cacophony of everyday life and mold it into some sort of logical system. It makes total sense that they would delight in the nonsensical, absurd, etc. Adapting it to their understanding is what they’re good at. You’ve described it so perfectly here.
If you enjoy Calvino, I think you’ll like Rodari as well!
Thanks, Sri! You said it so beautifully too. And I love Rodari!!
Fantastic post -- one of my faves you’ve done so far!
Yay! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Btw, getting back to you soon! This piece has been all-consuming! 🙃
Oh no pressure at all! I can totally see why it was -- seriously so good though 😊
Thank you for this !
So many more folktales and books to look up now !
Love your writing 😍
I got “the skull” recently and this is a great run down of why it’s such a great book !
Thanks, Victoria! It is such a great book!
Fantastic newsletter. I am currently obsessed with folk and fairy tales. I especially love: "Children don’t respond to moralistic lessons; they respond, almost involuntarily, to feelings, sights, sounds, colors, ideas, humor—and then they absorb, morph, and distort them, creating something fresh and new." I've spent the past couple years orally telling my son folk tales. And I'm always amazed when something happens in real life and he can easily relate it to a folk tale we've talked about.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Christina! I think reading a story out loud to each other is one of the most important things we can do, not only as parents, but as humans. It's how we form connections to ourselves and others. I love that you've been focusing on that with your son. Thank you.
I think this is your best post yet, Taylor. Wow.
That means a lot coming from you, Sarah. Thank you.