Last week, I spoke with National Public Radio’s Linda Wertheimer about some of my favorite classic children’s books. I expected this to be a quiet, late-summer conversation, listened to as people drove to work or prepared breakfast, and then forgotten. Imagine my surprise when the story became the most-viewed feature on NPR’s website for nearly two days; many people passionately weighed in with their own lists in the comments section.
This was a great reminder to me about how important a role such literature plays in our lives, even into our adulthoods. Our memories of our favorite children’s books are evocative and layered with associations. As the author of three (and soon four) middle-grade books, I am staggered by the idea that my work might help shape the subconscious of my young readers. This is an awesome responsibility, and therefore nothing can be taken for granted when writing for this audience. It is extremely important to me, for example, to offer up strong female protagonists, who prioritize intellectual curiosity over appearances. I try to emphasize the importance of friendship and de-emphasize the allure of trends. Language, travel, and music all play central roles in my books.
After the NPR segment aired, an NPR producer forwarded me a poem written by her ten year old daughter; it had been inspired by Tennyson, my most recent book:
THE DESERTED HOUSE
by Maya Millward
Inspired by my favorite book Tennyson
The rain falls so silently on a cold Colorless Temple.
All seemed lonely but one.
Was Zulma. Her skin the color of dark chocolate. A raspberry
Colored dress.
With a lemon yellow apron brought cheer to the house.
Like a bittersweet candy was the house.
Covered with the sweat, the blood and the tears of the slaves.
Death and destruction had come to this old, vine covered, deserted
House.
It is humbling, in a way, to see my book resonate so strongly with such a smart young lady, and I’m honored to become part of her library and personal history. I am often asked—in interviews and casual conversation—why I write for children, and receiving poems like this is the answer. I can’t wait to see what Maya writes in the future.
- lmmb
Listen to Ms. Blume’s segment on NPR:
