Shel Silverstein
October 26, 2011
Shel Silverstein is an icon of the written word – poetic, lyrical or prosaic. Collections of his poetry, Where the Sidewalk Ends, Falling Up and A Light in The Attic, are nostalgic favourites of several generations now. Award nominations came his way for writing chart-topping songs like A Boy Named Sue and The Unicorn (bet you know the words yourself to those classics!) as well as many other more serious ones performed by musicians like Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Marianne Faithfull, and Peter, Paul & Mary. While the words captivate and amuse in his written collections, the charming illustrations are just as entertaining. Silverstein began his creative life as a cartoonist and only well into that career began to add writing for children.
Leaving behind an astounding legacy of words, written, sung, and performed in theatres, Shel Silverstein died in 1999. In 2005, Runny Babbit: a Billy Sook, was released – apparently Silverstein had been creating this collection of spoonerisms for over 20 years. Another posthumous release, and only very recently, is Everything On It – again combining over 100 poems with delightful drawings. Prophetically perhaps, one of the poems in this collection reads:
“Although I cannot see your face
As you flip these poems awhile,
Somewhere from some far-off place
I hear you laughing–and I smile.”
A reviewer of this latest production wrote: “It should come as little surprise that I thought Every Thing On It was really great, setting my brain’s wonder-and-glee-meter off the charts many times.”
And so if you’re not familiar with the legend of Shel Silverstein then I hope you’ll make yourself so by reading one of his beloved books, listed below. (Unintentional poetry!) If you only know him by his poetry then be tempted to listen to compilations of his music and be entertained. If you are a devotee already then share your favourite poem with us in the comments. I’ve always been partial to this one:
Dragons!
October 14, 2011
The CBC television program, Dragon’s Den, is a runaway success. Viewers watch hopeful business innovators seek financial investment and expert guidance from a panel of extraordinarily successful Canadian business persons. These experts are willing to invest significant sums to give the aspiring entrepreneur an advantage on the road to success. Of course the panel members do so only when there is strong faith and proof that they will gain impressive returns. The business ideas are creative, witty, and practical with huge potential and with great risk for failure, while the entrepreneur wannabees range from confident to colourful with a healthy dose of crazy too. It is great viewing and has spawned what appears to be great reading as well.
The experts or “Dragons” have their own intriguing stories – rags to riches with adventurous highs and lows along the way. Three of the Dragons have recently put their tales (not tails!) into written form. If you are familiar with the show you will know that each Dragon has his or her own strong and unique history and personality – the book titles and images clearly reflect this. (Click on book cover to be taken to website)
Oh Canada!
October 3, 2011
Four wonderful Canadian writers have recently released new novels. Having savoured previous novels by each of the authors I am looking forward to sinking my teeth into these new stories. The Law of Dreams by Peter Behrens, The Birth House by Ami McKay, The Custodian of Paradise by Wayne Johnston and Mercy Among the Children by David Adams Richards are all evocative and memorable – each one capturing an element of the Canadian experience with beautifully crafted language and imagery. Harsh elements and themes of survival make all of these particularly well suited to long winter nights curled up in an armchair. Enjoy!
Creative Juices
September 14, 2011
September seems to prompt the creative juices to get flowing – a loyalty to acquiring education that remains in our hearts long past the school years perhaps. I found myself inspired to read an intriguing non-fiction book called The Element – How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything by Sir Ken Robinson. Robinson may be a familiar name to those of you who’ve had an opportunity to see his TED talk on the importance of incorporating creativity into education. I’ll include links to the talk and to his books below for those who would like to know more about Sir Ken and his theories. He is a compelling (and funny!) speaker and writer. Find his website here and enjoy a number of his archived articles as well.
Meanwhile, I thought I’d share this list with you – it’s posted above my desk to keep me focused (with varying results) – and I hope it prompts you to explore your own creativity with great success!
Books by Ken Robinson:
TED talks:
Heavenly Reading Retreats
August 17, 2011
What could be better than snuggling up with a book in a cosy corner? How about cuddling up with a book in a cosy corner in a cool cottage, resort, or even castle, somewhere exotic with delicious meals provided? I’m swooning.
A variety of special reading-themed retreats have surfaced in the news lately and I’ve been eager to share the findings with you. While holidays are lovely and preparation usually involves drafting an ambitious reading list, I do hear those plans sometimes get pushed aside when other vacation-oriented activities vie for attention. The solution to this challenge? A Reading Retreat where reading is the sole pursuit … well with maybe a little wine drinking and book chatter – but only if one chooses. The locations can range from architecturally extreme homes in Suffolk to Italian or Bulgarian castles. My personal dream location? Full on charm on the West Coast of Scotland, lighthouse included.
The School of Life is a fascinating endeavour founded in 2008 and based in London, England. Its premise is to “offer a variety of programmes and services concerned with how to live wisely and well. The School of Life is a place to step back and think intelligently … from philosophy to literature, psychology to the visual arts – to tickle, exercise and expand your mind. You’ll meet other curious, sociable and open-minded people in an atmosphere of exploration and enjoyment.”
On staff are Bibliotherapists who interview clients in order to “prescribe” a personalized reading list. “Our bibliotherapists will meet you at The School of Life for an in-depth, one-on-one conversation about your reading history and interests. Over tea or strong coffee, you will be invited to share the particular area of concern or curiosity that you would like to address. Following the discussion, you will be given an immediate reading prescription. A longer list will be sent to you by email within the next few days.” And then … the Retreat comes into play. You may take your list on a Reading Weekend to one of several beautiful locations where reading and inspiration are the only items on the agenda. A partnership with Living Architecture provides access to some stunning home choices. They must be seen to be believed so click here to help imagine yourself there.
If you are interested in socializing a little along with your reading then there are School of Life retreats that cater to that too. My dreamy favourite (which I’ll share here if you promise not to tell toooooo many people!) is at Turnberry Wells in Scotland. Well known writers (like David Nicholls of One Day fame) are invited to facilitate conversations about writing and reading. Groups are kept to an intimate 18 members or so and while long walks and some visiting is fostered, quiet reading time is strongly encouraged. Count me in! For full details of the event, click here. Beware the swoon.
To learn more about the Reading Retreat experience, follow these links to articles in The Telegraph and Salon. Both worth reading in my opinion.
A Good Reading Run
August 2, 2011
Biographies
June 23, 2011
I enjoyed a conversation with a friend yesterday about summer reading and we decided that a Biography or two should be on the list. These are a few new releases that captured my attention. Any great biographies you’d like to recommend?
Wonder Girl: The Magnificent Sporting Life of Babe Didrikson Zaharias by Don Van Natta Jr.
My Faraway One – Selected Letters of Georgia O’Keeffe and Alfred Stieglitz: Volume One, 1915-1933 edited by Sarah Greenough
No Regrets – The Story of Edith Piaf by Carolyn Burke
A Romance on Three Legs – Glenn Gould’s Obsessive Quest for the Perfect Piano by Katie Hafner
Beachy Books
June 17, 2011
These new releases or new-to-paperback releases are just itching to be read this summer – they’re clearly suited up to fit in at the beach! Even if a sand and surf locale isn’t in your travel plans you can vicariously be there in these pages. If you want to know more about each title just click and be taken to its description.
Summer is officially on the horizon and you will have noticed the newspapers and magazines launching their annual “Best Summer Reads” issues. I am working on my own personal summer reading plan and my boys have received their school summer reading lists … what books are on your beach bag agenda? Send along your thoughts and we’ll put together our own recommendation list in a future post.
More Connections – Sophie Blackall
May 31, 2011
And so to carry on from the last post Missed Connections: Love, Lost and Found in which we learned about the talented illustrator Sophie Blackall…
A few weeks ago, I was helping out in the book booth at a school fair. As we sorted through the books I discovered a number of donations from a series called Ivy & Bean. Being in a household of boys I wasn’t familiar with them at all but was immediately enchanted by their quirky illustrations and sassy story lines. As I explored the world of Sophie Blackall for the last post, I realised she was the illustrator of Ivy & Bean!
The coincidence doesn’t stop there. Reading about Ivy & Bean I learned that the author of the series was none other than Annie Barrows. Wondering why that name sounds familiar? You’ve no doubt read one of her other works, the hugely popular The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. If you haven’t had a chance to read this yet, treat yourself soon!
But back to Ivy & Bean … These adorable tales are geared toward the elementary school aged girl but I’m convinced there’s wider appeal. Let’s take number 6 in the series: Doomed to Dance. My schooldays pal Molly and I could well have been the inspiration behind this story. When Molly and I were convinced we’d be the next prima ballerinas our gracious mothers enrolled us and diligently delivered us to Ms. McBirney’s ballet class once a week. Let’s just say it was grossly obvious from the start that we were delusional.
Aren’t the drawings tremendous? Sophie Blackall has a number of projects on the go – other illustrated storybooks and also a poignant project with her father. Take the time to visit her website here and enjoy her inspiring work.
Mermaids by Robert Fulghum
May 16, 2011
“Giants, wizards and dwarfs was the game to play.
Being left in charge of about eighty children seven to ten years old, while their parents were off doing parenty things, I mustered my troops in the church social hall and explained the game. It’s a large-scale version of Rock, Paper, and Scissors, and involves some intellectual decision making. But the real purpose of the game is to make a lot of noise and run around chasing people until nobody knows which side you are on or who won.
Organizing a roomful of wired-up gradeschoolers into two teams, explaining the rudiments of the game, achieving consensus on group identity–all this is no mean accomplishment, but we did it with a right good will and were ready to go.
The excitement of the chase had reached a critical mass. I yelled out: “You have to decide now which you are–a GIANT, a WIZARD, or a DWARF!”
While the groups huddled in frenzied, whispered consultation, a tug came at my pants leg. A small child stands there looking up, and asks in a small, concerned voice, “Where do the Mermaids stand?”
Where do the Mermaids stand?
A long pause. A very long pause. “Where do the Mermaids stand?” says I.
“Yes. You see, I am a Mermaid.”
“There are no such thing as Mermaids.”
“Oh, yes, I am one!”
She did not relate to being a Giant, a Wizard, or a Dwarf. She knew her category. Mermaid. And was not about to leave the game and go over and stand against the wall where a loser would stand. She intended to participate, wherever Mermaids fit into the scheme of things. Without giving up dignity or identity. She took it for granted that there was a place for Mermaids and that I would know just where.
Well, where DO the Mermaids stand? All the “Mermaids”–all those who are different, who do not fit the norm and who do not accept the available boxes and pigeonholes?
Answer that question and you can build a school, a nation, or a world on it.
What was my answer at the moment? Every once in a while I say the right thing. “The Mermaid stands right here by the King of the Sea!” says I. (Yes, right here by the King’s Fool, I thought to myself.)
So we stood there hand in hand, reviewing the troops of Wizards and Giants and Dwarfs as they roiled by in wild disarray.
It is not true, by the way, that Mermaids do not exist. I know at least one personally. I have held her hand.”
© 1986, 1988 by Robert L. Fulghum
It doesn’t always have to be a big book to convey a powerful message. This special little story is among the gems in Robert Fulghum’s All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. The essay upon which the title is based appeared in last year’s back to school post. Happy day to mermaids everywhere!
