Unslumping Yourself Is Not Easily Done
First of all, I have a thing for children’s books, good children’s books, the kind with solid advice for life embedded within a story so entertaining that you don’t realize that the message is there. I enjoyed being read to when I was young, and now I read to children of all ages at any chance I get.
My all time favourite kids book would have to be “Oh The Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Seuss. It was first read to me by my mom when I was in university, but since then I have read it to enough people that I can recite it almost entirely by heart. Over the years, different messages in the story have resonated with me at different times.
There is a great optimism in this book. It was originally written as a graduation address for university students. It speaks of choices…
You’ll look up and down streets. Look ‘em over with care. About some you will say, “I don’t choose to go there.” With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet, you’re too smart to go down any not-so-good-street.
It speaks of the balance in life. The good times and, to the surprise of many first time readers, the bad times too. It speaks to the great ups and downs of life, moments of popularity, and fame contrasted with moments of loneliness and isolation. One of the quotes that has stuck with me over the years is:
You can get all hung up in a prickle-ly perch, and your gang will fly on. You’ll be left in a Lurch. You’ll come down from the Lurch with an unpleasant bump. And the chances are then, that you’ll be in a Slump. And when you’re in a Slump, you’re not in for much fun. Un-slumping yourself is not easily done.
For a “kid’s book” it presents a very balanced view of life, ending off with the following words of motivation and advice
Kid, You’ll Move Mountains!
You’re off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So…get on your way!
A birthday cake made for me by some of the Knitter's Anonymous students
This is a book that should be read to kids when they are little, and then brought back out again over the years at graduations, or times of challenge and change. Teenagers may roll their eyes when you drag out “that book” again, but deep down, I know they love to hear it.
“Look back at your year”, says the blogger Gwen Bell
“Reflect upon books, and your memories tell!”
Answer this challenge, that’s just what I did.
Now what was your favouritest book as a kid?
Tags: best of 2009, Dr. Seuss, knitters anonymous
