Tom’s Midnight Garden is probably my favourite book of all time — not children’s book, but book. I don’t remember struggling with the language or the pace as a child, I was completely captivated and returned to the book again and again. Perhaps repeated readings helped me to absorb the difficult words and concepts?
Children of Green Knowe, and The Chimneys of Green Knowe, were also special favourites, along with The Dark is Rising. Such lovely, strange and magical books. They are in my heart forever.
Some time this year I am planning to read all of Alan Garner’s books (now I finally own them all!) I think that will be an interesting adventure.
I think – I hope – that there will always be children who will enjoy this quieter kind of book. I see so many books in my job as a bookseller, and lots of them seem to be written, illustrated and designed to a noisy, out-there, look-at-me, best-selling formula. There’s always the newest Big New Thing, launched to us in the bookshops with posters, giveaways, dump bins, bookmarks, celebrity profiles (comedians, anyone?), and of course, it’s the first of a series… I’m not faulting the writers or publishers (or, not too much!) because publishing is a business and money has to be made or there will be no books on shelves at all. But I hope the gentle, thoughtful children’s novel won’t become extinct.
I’m also planning on re-reading Alan Garner’s books this year. And I must get hold of the Susan Cooper books again; I remember loving The Dark is Rising. And perhaps Penelope Lively, too. So many books, so little time!
I am a big fan of Quiet Books. Particularly Small Quiet Books. They curl into your heart and nestle there long after the showy, noisy ones have vanished like smoke after fireworks.
Yes, quiet and small are good. I’ve been finding a lot of books are just a bit too long lately… I don’t know if it’s just me, but I will get off to a rip-roaring start and then about 2/3 the way through my interest and attention just sags – and sometimes don’t even finish (though of course I read the last two or three pages, just to see how things have turned out). There are a few early Margaret Drabble books that are small and perfect. And great for carrying in a handbag and reading on the train.I am always on the lookout in the Oppy for slim Penguin spines!