In remembering the books we read, or had read to us, as a child is it that we know although they are stories someone wrote, fairy stories we still remember the people in them, the characters stay with us, the 'goodies' and the 'badies' the hero's who were brave, fearless and caring. Maybe in remembering these characters we are mindful of them when we meet real people who we admire or those we abhor for their dishonesty; do we recognise the qualities we admired in our childhood book hero's?
Hi Lis. You raise some interesting points in here. I wonder if, as children, those early fairy stories give us a moral template, which at the same time reinforces our instinctively moral nature, so that, as you say, when we meet real people, we have a subconscious framework we unconsciously reference to make judgement calls on another person’s moral standing.
Great piece, Vincent. I’m not sure what the opposite of twaddle is, but this was definitely that.
It made me think how hard adults seem to find it not to talk down to children. The good stuff tends to trust them more. There’s also still a sense, I think, that writing for children is easier or doesn’t need the same depth, when the not-crud 5.3% proves exactly the opposite.
Thanks Corey. Twaddle was the word Charlotte Mason coined to describe children’s books that talk down to and/or are simplified and moralising. She was a pioneering Victorian educator. The opposite of twaddle is a living book. If you are interested, I have articles on twaddle and living books on my Care & Craft Substack.
In remembering the books we read, or had read to us, as a child is it that we know although they are stories someone wrote, fairy stories we still remember the people in them, the characters stay with us, the 'goodies' and the 'badies' the hero's who were brave, fearless and caring. Maybe in remembering these characters we are mindful of them when we meet real people who we admire or those we abhor for their dishonesty; do we recognise the qualities we admired in our childhood book hero's?
Hi Lis. You raise some interesting points in here. I wonder if, as children, those early fairy stories give us a moral template, which at the same time reinforces our instinctively moral nature, so that, as you say, when we meet real people, we have a subconscious framework we unconsciously reference to make judgement calls on another person’s moral standing.
Your reply and comment put it very eloquently, Vincent, thank you.
Great piece, Vincent. I’m not sure what the opposite of twaddle is, but this was definitely that.
It made me think how hard adults seem to find it not to talk down to children. The good stuff tends to trust them more. There’s also still a sense, I think, that writing for children is easier or doesn’t need the same depth, when the not-crud 5.3% proves exactly the opposite.
Really interesting read.
Thanks Corey. Twaddle was the word Charlotte Mason coined to describe children’s books that talk down to and/or are simplified and moralising. She was a pioneering Victorian educator. The opposite of twaddle is a living book. If you are interested, I have articles on twaddle and living books on my Care & Craft Substack.