I tend to reread this every year at this time. Allow me to encourage those of you who are open to middle grade type books to recommend this classic.
Like the Narnia books and L'Engle's Wrinkle in Time series, it's fantasy that begins in our everyday reality--which appeals to me more than high fantasy set in a magical kingdom. I suppose it's because it allows me to believe that the magical is all around us, walking beside us if only we pay attention.
Anyway, I love this book, and the rest of the series. And I came to them as an adult, albeit an adult who enjoys children's lit. I'm looking forward to sinking back into it.
Now for something completely different. Josie did this picture of her mom charting--working at her laptop on her patients' records. It looks just like her.
And while I was working on my holiday cards, I offered Josie one of my inked outlines to color. I love her take on it.
5 comments:
That series might interest me. I've pretty well given up on fantasy in the last two decades.
I love this series. And I love Josie’s additions to your outline.
That's one I don't think I've read. At this point in time, I don't think I'd better get a new book, and am going to take back the library books I already have (while noting their names for future pursuits). But I agree, fantasy tales (aka Narnia) that have a beginning in our own strange world, do seem easier to get into.
It's one of my favorite series....can't wait until my niece is old enough for it.
For now, I got her this lovely little book by the same author:
https://www.amazon.com/Shortest-Day-Susan-Cooper/dp/0763686980/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2S9LSL5BDMTCT&keywords=susan+cooper+solstice&qid=1702573466&sprefix=susan+cooper+solstice%2Caps%2C213&sr=8-1
I discovered Susan Cooper when I was in college, at about the same time as I discovered Alan Garner's books (especially The Owl Service), which I loved just as much. My mother, whose duties as a librarian included occasional children's room duty, introduced me to the Garner books as well as to her particular favourites, Lloyd Alexander's series about Taran Wanderer. And then there is the Moominvalley series by Tove Jansson, which I think I love best of all.
If you're new to the Jansson books, they are best read in order of publication, not because of a story arc (there is none) but because they "grow", as it were; in any case, do not read Moominvalley in November first -- it will make far less emotional sense if you don't already know the characters.
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