Need a timeline cleanse? Here's an article about the daughter (and inspiration for "Sal" in Blueberries for Sal) reading her father Robert McCloskey's work to an adoring intergenerational audience in a small public library in Maine. NYT feature (gift link, no paywall). #nature #kidlit #Maine #illustration #ChildrensBooks #libraries
@coastalhistory
Ngl, it's misty in here. We had "Make Way for Ducklings" as well as "Blueberries," and we read them over and over.
The power of children's books is amazing. A few years ago I saw a favorite book from my childhood, "Edith & Mr. Bear." I hadn't read it for 40 years, and didn't really remember it, but as I turned the pages I got to one page and felt a profound sense of dread. On the next page Edith realizes she's very lost. I remembered the emotion, not the story.
@MHowell Thanks for sharing! When my mother had her stroke, I stood by the bedside and had an odd, strong thought about a bunny. Apparently there was a story we'd read as kids about a sick rabbit. I must have asked her if she'd always be around to take care of me. Was that the first time someone explained death and mortality to me? Humbling to think about the power of the stories that we tell kids.
@coastalhistory
It's weird how I barely remembered the story, like smoke
@coastalhistory Thank you so much. First book was "Make Way For Ducklings." Still have it.
@mastodonmigration My pleasure! Thank you for the share.
@coastalhistory
I had an after-school job as a library page when I was in middle school (1960-ish). I think I spent most of my time re-reading McCloskey's books and old Life magazines