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MacBeth
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In her lovely book, How the Heather Looks, American mom Joan Bodger has this to say about the value of English children's books for American children:
Children's literature is, in some ways, more important to us than it is to the English child. I contend that a child brought up on the nursery rhymes and Jacobs' English Fairy Tales can better understand Shakespeare; that a child who has pored over Beatrix Potter can better respond to Wordsworth. Of course, it is best if one can find for himself a bank where wild thyme grows, or discover daffodils growing wild. Failing that, the American child must feed the "inward eye" with the images in the books he reads when young so that he can enter a larger realm when he is older. I am sure I enjoyed the Bronte novels more for having read The Secret Garden first. As I stood upon those moors, looking out over that wind-swept landscape I realized that it was Mrs. Burnett who taught me what "wuthering" meant long before I ever got around to reading Wuthering Heights. Epiphany comes at the moment of recognition.
What are your favorite books for feeding the inward eye?
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MacBeth in NY
Don's wife since '88; "Mom" to the Fab 4
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BrendaPeter
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Wow Macbeth! How very perceptive of Joan Bodger.
Some of our favorite "inward-eye feeders" are:
The Adventures of Pinocchio
The Story of Dr. Doolittle
Andrew Lang fairy tales
The Swiss Family Robinson
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MacBeth
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Brenda, as I read each of the titles you listed, I could get a real "inward eye" feeling. Isn't it wonderful when books bring times and places into view?
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MacBeth in NY
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BrendaPeter
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MacBeth wrote:
| Isn't it wonderful when books bring times and places into view? |
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Yes Macbeth, it is wonderful!
I'm also noticing that MY "inward eye" is developing along with the dc's. Although I must admit, my husband & I are really struggling these days to get through "The Merchant of Venice" with Laurence Olivier. Looks like he & I have a long way to go  . Obviously neither one of us was raised on such rich literature. Watching our dc pass us by is very rewarding though!
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momwise
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I'm not sure if I totally get the gist of this, but Girl of the Limberlost came to mind.
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Gwen...wife for 30 years, mom of 7, grandma of 3.....
"If you want equal justice for all and true freedom and lasting peace, then America, defend life." JPII
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lapazfarm
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I think Kipling is good for this, too. He really gives the reader a feeling for British Colonial India.
One of the most inward eye feeding books I read as a child was Heidi. I really felt as if I'd seen the Alps after that book!
Great topic!
And what about inward eye feeding for our non-American friends? Which books would give them a feel for what the USA is (or was) really like? I'd have to say the Little House books, for sure. And "The Yearling".
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MacBeth
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lapazfarm wrote:
And what about inward eye feeding for our non-American friends? Which books would give them a feel for what the USA is (or was) really like? I'd have to say the Little House books, for sure. And "The Yearling". |
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I was thinking that too, Theresa. Even as a young easterner I enjoyed "seeing" the prairie with my inward eye. And if my only visit to India is though Kipling's vivid prose and poetry, I can feel satisfied that I have seen a lot, though surely not everything.
Gwen, an inward eye book is a book that takes you where you have not been, and prepares you to continue your travels through literature (and real life, if you are so lucky).
Our latest "inward eye" book is Johnny Tremain. The ultimate follow-up to any IE book will be a field trip, and we are planning one at the end of July. If anyone is interested in meeting us on the Freedom Trail, let us know!
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MacBeth in NY
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Rebecca
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The Secret Garden came to mind immediately as well as Freckles by Porter and My Side of the Mountain by George. I remember reading the Swallows and Amazons for the first time as an adult and feeling my mind STRETCH from the education. The English Lake District and its food, sounds, jargon, etc was enriching to my mind. OK, a few more  , Robinson Crusoe by DeFoe, Hans Brinker by Dodge, The Winged Watchman by van Stockum and Wind in the Willows by Grahame.
Great thread, MacBeth! We are part way through Johnny Tremain so that trip sure sounds tempting!
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momwise
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MacBeth wrote:
| Gwen, an inward eye book is a book that takes you where you have not been, and prepares you to continue your travels through literature (and real life, if you are so lucky) |
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O.K.--I think the Girl of the Limberlost is still a good one. I'll have to think some more on this 
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Gwen...wife for 30 years, mom of 7, grandma of 3.....
"If you want equal justice for all and true freedom and lasting peace, then America, defend life." JPII
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dsauclair
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Quote:
| And what about inward eye feeding for our non-American friends? Which books would give them a feel for what the USA is (or was) really like? I'd have to say the Little House books, for sure. |
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You're right about the Little House books. I grew up in the Philippines and came here in my mid-20s. Since English is the medium of instruction in our school system then, I grew up reading some of the same books you did, from Fun with Dick and Jane, and the Bobbsey Twins to the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys series. Reading those made me feel as if I were in an American household!
But I liked best the stories of the old country--Mark Twain's Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn, and the Little House series.
As I begin to homeschool my 4yo, I peruse this forum more eagerly since any question about American history is sure to stump me
Diane
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momwise
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I have to agree with Theresa that Heidi is a wonderful IE book. I'm having a block on childhood books right now but from the books I've read to dc, Little Britches and the Great Brain come to mind. They're so full of the culture and landscape of a different time and place.
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Gwen...wife for 30 years, mom of 7, grandma of 3.....
"If you want equal justice for all and true freedom and lasting peace, then America, defend life." JPII
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Helen
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Hoping I'm not a bore... but, I would love to find an inward eye book for France. Any suggestions?
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Ave Maria!
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Tina P.
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Hi Helen:
I don't know what ages you're looking to inspire, but A Long Way from Welcome might be a nice start. It's set in current times. It's published by Bethlehem Books. It's a mystery with an interesting twist. It sure kept me reading. 
And I believe someone already mentioned The Giraffe that Walked to Paris for the younger set. However, that book tends to be too difficult (translation: too expensive) to find in print. For writing style, historical setting, and generosity of background, not to mention gorgeous pictures, we actually prefer another book called The King's Giraffe.
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Tina P.
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I very much like the Brambly Hedge series. However, I'm a bit dismayed that they slammed all the little books into this *Complete* volume. Each little book is precious on its own. Having lived in England for 3 years, I can completely relate with the little thatched-roof cottages, the wildflowers taking over, the open fields. Now that we're in the states, reading these books will be a nice memory and we'll be all set to read Bronte novels, Jane Austen, Anthony Trollope, and George Elliot.
Oooooh! Just thought of another one!  Brave Janet Reachfar is a lovely English/Scottish book about a girl who, against her grandmother's wishes, treks onto a forbidden mountain at the insistence of her sheepdog, to save a ewe. British life and mannerisms are very well portrayed in this book.
I'll keep adding as we think of books that *transport us* to different times and places. Right now we're packing  so most of our books are put away.
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4Real Forums : Living Literature
Topic: The Inward Eye
