I couldn't agree more. Children's literature from that era particularly captures the best of human nature in all its aspects. The authors respected the reader (the child!). The artists gave their best. There is so much understanding of what it means to be a young boy in the Billy and Blaze books, and so much quiet happiness, peace, and order, within, as you say, a world of adventure and curiosity, but not too much drama.
I'm glad you wrote about these books! They are easy to forget about or overlook, but they contain a lot of wise pleasure.
This is such an important distinction in children's literature! I love the example that you have here, and I need to find my own copy for my boys. It seems (even though not having read this specific book) that adventure stories in this vein are calming and enjoyable to read.
Didacticism has always been (and, I suppose, will always) be a part of the children's literature conversation. We pass down ideas, morals, values, and more through story, so it does seem logical to "pick the moral" and then write the story. But, you discuss how this doesn't open up to good stories! I just posted about the French literary Beauty and the Beast and how that fairy tale, by it's second author - Jeanne Marie de Beaumont - was a didactic tale for young women. However, it was fit into an older, oral storyline, so perhaps that's why it's a story that endured!
So much to enjoy! My sourdough experience has been a total flop but maybe I will try again. 😅.
Ripped jeans! Oh don’t get me started on that stupid, unflattering and ugly style. Why is it still around? Do these often overweight girls think blobs of fat bulging through the holes are attractive? I keep thinking this will go away but apparently not. As a farm girl I “earned” every hole in my jeans s between barb wire fences and bucking hay. Holes were patched and when the patches wore out the jeans became cutoffs to be worn wading in the creek, not to Mass. (yes I saw them last night)
But on a happy note I loved the Billy and Blaze review and recommendation. I think I had, borrowed or read every horse book in circulation in the 60s. C.W. Anderson was a particular favorite with his wonderful illustrations. I’m so glad to know another generation is enjoying them. This was my life as a girl, pack a lunch, saddle my horse and ride in the mountains behind our farm.
They are great for girls too. I cut my teeth learning to read on this series. I read every Billy and Blaze book in my school’s library and then graduated to Margarita O’Henry’s books, then to Walter Farley’s Black Stallion series. I read every horse book the Librarian could find.
Missed out on all this growing up in 'suburbia' NJ...pizza was great there, rooting for the Yankees too....ahhhh what a strange world or worlds we inhabit.
I couldn't agree more. Children's literature from that era particularly captures the best of human nature in all its aspects. The authors respected the reader (the child!). The artists gave their best. There is so much understanding of what it means to be a young boy in the Billy and Blaze books, and so much quiet happiness, peace, and order, within, as you say, a world of adventure and curiosity, but not too much drama.
I'm glad you wrote about these books! They are easy to forget about or overlook, but they contain a lot of wise pleasure.
My best friend got them for my eldest son, and we have thoroughly enjoyed them for years! Such great, peaceful afternoon or bedtime reads.
This is such an important distinction in children's literature! I love the example that you have here, and I need to find my own copy for my boys. It seems (even though not having read this specific book) that adventure stories in this vein are calming and enjoyable to read.
Didacticism has always been (and, I suppose, will always) be a part of the children's literature conversation. We pass down ideas, morals, values, and more through story, so it does seem logical to "pick the moral" and then write the story. But, you discuss how this doesn't open up to good stories! I just posted about the French literary Beauty and the Beast and how that fairy tale, by it's second author - Jeanne Marie de Beaumont - was a didactic tale for young women. However, it was fit into an older, oral storyline, so perhaps that's why it's a story that endured!
Oh interesting. I'm going to check it out!
So much to enjoy! My sourdough experience has been a total flop but maybe I will try again. 😅.
Ripped jeans! Oh don’t get me started on that stupid, unflattering and ugly style. Why is it still around? Do these often overweight girls think blobs of fat bulging through the holes are attractive? I keep thinking this will go away but apparently not. As a farm girl I “earned” every hole in my jeans s between barb wire fences and bucking hay. Holes were patched and when the patches wore out the jeans became cutoffs to be worn wading in the creek, not to Mass. (yes I saw them last night)
But on a happy note I loved the Billy and Blaze review and recommendation. I think I had, borrowed or read every horse book in circulation in the 60s. C.W. Anderson was a particular favorite with his wonderful illustrations. I’m so glad to know another generation is enjoying them. This was my life as a girl, pack a lunch, saddle my horse and ride in the mountains behind our farm.
Just a lovely post. Thank you!
They are great for girls too. I cut my teeth learning to read on this series. I read every Billy and Blaze book in my school’s library and then graduated to Margarita O’Henry’s books, then to Walter Farley’s Black Stallion series. I read every horse book the Librarian could find.
Missed out on all this growing up in 'suburbia' NJ...pizza was great there, rooting for the Yankees too....ahhhh what a strange world or worlds we inhabit.
Now SSL (Substackland) is a world unto itself.
HiHo Silver Away