My son Tristan exploring an Atlantic Ocean tide pool.
I mentioned in my last post the important role children’s books have played in my creative life. Today I want to share two titles that were influential to me. Though a lot has changed since my childhood and much time has passed since they were published, I believe both books are still inspirational.
When I was growing up in the sixties and early seventies, I didn’t have computer games to occupy my time. While I’m sure I would have wanted one, ( I fed quite a few quarters into the arcade games of my day) I’m glad we didn’t have the temptation. Instead, I was sent outside, in all weather conditions, with my brothers and neighborhood friends and we were expected to entertain ourselves. And we did. We investigated the flora and fauna of creeks near our house and built trails in a local woods. We engineered treehouses and snow forts and hideouts buried underground. We built model rockets, parachutes and balsa wood gliders. There is no doubt the following two books influenced our daily escapades.
The first is a wonderful picture book called Andrew Henry’s Meadow by Doris Burn. The initial edition came out in 1965 but was reissued in 2012. It’s the story of the inventive Andrew Henry. Andrew’s family is annoyed by all of his inventions. Inspired to find a place of his own, Andrew sets off through the deep woods until he comes to a secluded meadow where he can build his creations without getting into trouble with his family. Soon other kids show up and Henry constructs each one a place that caters to their unique interest. The artwork is exquisite, and the detailed drawings were responsible for some of my contraptions I constructed as a kid.
My well-worn issue of “The American Boys Handy Book.”
The second is for older kids and follows the same theme as Andrew Henry’s Meadow. It’s a guide on how to do some of the things Ms. Burns illustrates in her book. It’s called, The American Boys Handy Book by D.C. Beard. Mr. Beard was one of the founders of the Boy Scouts of America. Though it was first published in the late 19th century, I found it inspiring in my youth. While some of Mr. Beard’s ideas are outdated and maybe even a little dangerous, many of the sections including how-to build hot air balloons, kite flying tips and how-to organize a snowball fight are fun and inspiring to read. Even today as I browse through the pages, I find myself longing to build some of the things he describes.
What childhood books inspired you?
One reason I write for children is that books mattered to me most at those ages. (6-12) I can’t begin to list the most important, because the list would come close to a hundred.
Lovely to see your “oldies,” and it is even wondefuler ( 😉 )that they’re still available.
Thanks for sharing Mirka. Children’s books are important in young lives. I believe they can be not only inspirational, but also a source of hope.
I didn’t come to appreciate books until later in life, so the children’s books that stand out in my memory are the ones I read to my children. One of the oldies but goodies that I remember fondly is Clyde Robert Bulla’s The Sword in the Tree.
Thanks Ruth. I’ll check out the title you mentioned.
Many, many books, of course, but in keeping with your hands-on-awakening spirit, I’ll name one that kept me busy literally for years. Hobby Fun Book, published in 1952. Author Margaret O. Hyde was an accomplished scientist and co-author Frances W. Keene a children’s writer. Together they presented a wealth of scientific concepts and creative activities that a child could do, and I did nearly every one. I didn’t become a scientist, but I learned to think and to tinker and to keep trying when something didn’t turn out the first time. Still have the book, too.
Paula,
I found your book online and after reading the index was disappointed I didn’t discover it when I was growing up. It’s exactly the kind of stuff I like doing.
You can always save a copy for grandchildren! 🙂
Your right! I’ll try to find a copy online.
FWIW, Bookfinder.com has a larger selection than Amazon.
Thanks for the tip!