One of my summer reading discoveries is Darlene Foster’s six-volume Amanda series. I’m a teacher-author so I’m always eager to find fresh books that my K-8 students will love. When I came across Darlene on her blog, Darlene Foster’s Blog, I have to admit, I was really excited. I’d never found a children’s travelogue series that would appeal to kids the same way fiction does. This series does. In it, kids travel all over the world, to those names that excite every adult–Amanda on the Danube, Amanda in Arabia, Amanda in Alberta, as well as three more fun world locations.
I asked Darlene if she would mind doing an interview for my blog–just one question. That’s all I had:
How do you create readers for life?
Because that’s what these books have the power to do–turn kids into readers. Here’s her answer:
Writing for children is important to me because I want children to develop the same love of books I had as a child. Like many avid readers, I began my love affair with books at a young age. Some of my fondest memories are being read to by a family member, visiting the library for the first time, and discovering the ability to read by myself. I still have worn copies of favourite childhood books and revisit these old friends from time to time as a reminder of that happiness. Books and children go together like peanut butter and jelly. And that love of books carries on into adulthood.
Reading books took me out of my limited world and to places far away, opened my mind and introduced me to new people, tastes, ideas and emotions. I recall once being engrossed in a story that took place in Japan when my mother asked me to set the table. I stood up and bowed to her as the children in the book did when addressing someone older. Stories not only enlighten children but provide an understanding of places and people that are different. It’s essential that children realize diversity. Books help demonstrate that although someone is different from them, they are not bad. This is crucial in a world full of news instilling fear in people, especially the impressionable young.
Writing for children is an important job and it can be fun, but it is not an easy job. To be effective, you must remove yourself from the adult world and think like a child. I like to hang around kids, listen to the words they use, observe their gestures, looks and trends. Children notice things adults wouldn’t and could care less about things adults think are important. It’s vital to get into their head space if you want to write for them. You will find they are amazing. While I’m writing, I get to be a kid again – and I love it!
I often revisit some of my old favourites like The Bobbsey Twins, Little Women and Anne of Green Gables, to remind myself what I liked about those books. I also read a lot of current children’s books to see what the kids like now. Things haven’t changed much, they still like strong characters that can solve problems with limited help from adults. They enjoy action and camaraderie, with some humour sprinkled in.
Children’s books create lifelong readers; readers who eventually buy adult books.
My readership includes anyone interested in travel, learning about other cultures and enjoys an adventure. Although these books are written in a style that children can easily read and understand, to my delight I find many adults enjoy them as well. One older gentleman said that Amanda in England – The Missing Novel was a ripping good yarn!
Adults should read children’s books as they often need to recover the capacity of imagination and fantasy they sometimes lose in the overly serious world of adulting. By looking at the world through children’s eyes, we can once again experience wonder, surprise and joy for the little things that are often the most important things at the end of the day. And we are never too old to learn about cultures and people different from us.
The main character in my first book, Amanda in Arabia-The Perfume Flask, is a bored Canadian girl who wishes for travel and adventure on her twelfth birthday. The next day she receives a ticket in the mail to fly to the United Arab Emirates to visit her aunt and uncle. There she has an adventure of a lifetime. One young reader said, “I want to know where Amanda will travel to next.” That motivated me to write Amanda in Spain-The Girl in The Painting. I had so much fun writing about Amanda, her travels and escapades that I continued by writing Amanda in England-The Missing Novel, Amanda in Alberta-the Writing on the Stone, Amanda on the Danube-The Sound of Music and Amanda in New Mexico-Ghosts in the Wind. Where will it end? I don’t know but I have an important job to do and many more ideas for Amanda. I am currently working on book number eight.
A grandmother who purchased my Amanda Travels series sent me this email:
My 12-year-old granddaughter just finished your books. She loved them. We were camping and we kept telling her to put the books down and come and play. This is the first time I have seen her get so excited about a book. Your books have given her a love of reading. Thanks for the good reads.
This made me extremely happy as my goal is to help create a love of reading in young people. We writers of children’s books are creating readers for life. It’s an important job and one I am happy to continue working at for a long time
“You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children.”
― Madeleine L’Engle
Bio
Darlene Foster dreamt of writing, traveling the world, and meeting interesting people. She also believed in making her dreams come true. It’s no surprise she’s now the award-winning author of Amanda Travels, a children’s adventure series about a spunky twelve-year-old who loves to travel to unique places. Readers from seven to seventy enjoy traveling with Amanda as she unravels one mystery after another. A world traveler herself, Darlene spends her time in Vancouver, Canada and the Costa Blanca, in Spain.
Contacts
Where to buy the Amanda books
Amazon.com https://www.amazon.com/Amanda-New-Mexico-Ghosts-Travels/dp/1771681209/
Amazon.ca https://www.amazon.ca/Amanda-New-Mexico-Ghosts-Wind/dp/1771681209/
Amazon.co.uk https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amanda-New-Mexico-Ghosts-Travels/dp/1771681209/
More author interview
A Chat with Ancient Greece Writer, Luciana Cavallaro
The Wit and Wisdom of Peter Wells
Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy, the Rowe-Delamagente thrillers, and Born in a Treacherous Time, first in the Man vs. Nature collection. She is also the author/editor of over a hundred books on integrating tech into education, adjunct professor of technology in education, an Amazon Vine Voice, a columnist for TeachHUB, monthly contributor to Today’s Author and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. You can find her books at her publisher’s website, Structured Learning. Look for her upcoming trilogy, Crossroads, eta Spring 2018
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I love reading children’s books from time to time, new ones as well as my old ones. So these series will definitely go to my TBR list. 😉 Love how Darlene said gets to be a kid again when she writes her children’s books, it’s the same for me with painting. 😊
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They do remind me that adulting is a learned skill. Great kids books are so important.
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I couldn´t agree more!
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http://fationam.wordpress.com
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Thanks for visiting.
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💚
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A very good interview please read my blog and give suggestions on it.
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Thanks! I did visit your blog. I’m always impressed with people who can open up so nicely online. It’s something I aspire to.
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hello! Guys, I am new here . I want you people to read and comment on it. I am hoping for a review from you Jacqui .
I liked this interview really and learnt a lot. I find you perfect to give comments on my writing and suggestions on how I can improve
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Thanks for dropping in.
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ok
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Thanks for visiting.
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My love for reading certainly began when I was a child, and as an educator, reading helps in so many ways. So wonderful to read about the passion of writing books for children.
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I so respect those who write for youngers. without those great stories, kids wouldn’t become lifelong readers.
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Absolutely!!
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Thanks for your comment. I imagine my passion for reading as a child became my passion for writing for children later on.
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I always enjoy hearing more about Amanda and her love of exploration. I too can well remember the books of my youth. Love the idea of hooking readers for life.
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It’s such a big deal (hooking readers for life) in lifelong learning. Love this!
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Thanks, Sue. My books were my best friends as a child. Even as a teenager, I would take a book along on a date, in case it turned out to be boring. LOL
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Darlene I’m sure your date wondered about the back up plan. 🙂
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I agree Darlene, the books that I read as a young teenager have stayed with me for life such as Little Women… I wanted to be Jo so badly, living in the attic, writing and eating apples…Those young readers grow up and become parents and buy the books they loved for a new generation.. excellent post thanks and to Jacqui for hosting.
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I’m not that reader who has kept memories of specific books from childhood. More like, great memories of what I got from reading. In fact, I joined Goodreads so I could try to collect a list of all the books I’ve read.
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Great idea Jacqui… a monumental task. xx
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Thanks so much, Sally. I still get a warm, fuzzy feeling when I think of those books I read as a child. I so wanted to be Jo as well. I certainly have bought my share of books for my kids and grandkids. In fact, they called me “The Book Grandma” when they were small.
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That is a lovely name… well earned… hugs xxx
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Probably nothing more important than reeling a child into a story, and keeping them hooked for life. Yay to Darlene for creating and maintaining Amanda! Love that L’Engle quote. Darlene’s words make me think about Nancy Drew, and how I became a reader after reading that first book …. and then never stopping. Great question, Jacqui.
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Isn’t that true? I had a series called Cherry Ames, Student Nurse. But I had a ton more too. Always loved reading.
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Oh my gosh, I forgot about Cherry. LOVED her and was sure I’d become a nurse. Until I took biology in high school. 🙂
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For me it was chemistry. I remember my chemistry teacher just giving up as he tried to explain ‘moles’ to me.
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Thanks, Pam. Nancy Drew created many readers. I loved her too and secretly wished I was her.
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You can’t be Nancy Drew. I decided when I was 10 that I was. 🙂 xo
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Hehee. I don’t know why someone doesn’t update that series for new readers.
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Reading and music relate.
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Isn’t that the truth. Thanks for that reminder.
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Of course, they do! I loved listening to music as much as reading growing up. Unfortunately, I am not talented in that area so I wrote instead.
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What a great interview. I love Amanda because she is so curious about life and solving problems/mysteries. This series would have been a favorite if I was a child because I dreamed of traveling and kids can travel through Amanda’s adventures.
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This does combine a lot of elements not normally seen in children’s books. Such a good job!
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Thanks for being such an Amanda supporter Patricia. I like to think it is armchair travelling for kids.
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Fantastic reply from Darlene. As a children’s author she has the opportunity to addict kids to reading, preparing them for further reading as they get older – with enthusiasm. 🙂
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A lot of common sense in that answer, wasn’t there? Fun interview.
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Thanks so much, Debby! If I can get kids hooked on reading, my job is done!
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Absolutely!!!! 🙂
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I love how you asked just one question. And, it was the best question. Darlene is a terrific writer. I so enjoyed this interview!
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That was the question I was really curious about and didn’t want the answer lost in others. She did great with it, too.
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Yes she did. 😀
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Thanks, Jennie. So pleased you enjoyed the interview. It was great to concentrate on one question.
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You are welcome, Darlene. 🙂
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Wonderful interview! I teach elementary and middle school students in creative writing after school programs. I often recommend books for them to read, so I’ll be sure to pass along this info to them! 🙂 Your books sound great, Darlene!
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Excellent, Kate. I know Darlene will appreciate that.
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I do really appreciate that. Glad you enjoyed the post and hope the children enjoy the adventures.
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Hi Jacqui. Nice to meet you. I love books about adventurous girls. We need more! The Mighty Girl site sells books, clothing, and toys that empower girls. Maybe they would feature Darlene’s book. The narrator of my YA novel is a 13-year-old girl math whiz who sees numbers in color and with personalities.
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Thanks, Evelyn for the tip. I too think we need more books with strong young women. Your character sounds amazing!
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Oooh, I love the sound of that book, Evelyn. I love geeky characters. I have an adult character like that in my thriller, Twenty-four Days.
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Informative 👍🍫
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Thanks!!
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It is, innit!
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This is a wonderful interview. I’m so glad there are inspiring writers out there encouraging children to read because I experienced the same things when I was younger and truly appreciate the power of reading – the many advantages for people of all ages.
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So pleased you liked the interview. I so agree, people who read typically have better communication and social skills and most likely do better at work.
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I remember when my son didn’t like reading, I was frantic. Thank goodness I found a series he loved and that’s all it took. From then on, he was a reader. That’s what the Amanda series will do for a young travel enthusiast.
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Definitely…or just the curious in general. I would have read them for a peek into another world and its culture 😁
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Reblogged this on Stevie Turner and commented:
Well done, Darlene!
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Thanks so much for the reblog Stevie!
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You’re welcome.
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Thanks for sharing, Stevie!
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You’re welcome.
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I meant to ask Darlene if she has traveled to all of the places where Amanda goes?
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Thanks so much for your positive comments, Sharon. To answer your question, yes, I have been to all the places Amanda has traveled to. Amanda doesn’t get to go anywhere unless I go first!!
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What a wonderful interview, Jacqui. I really enjoyed meeting Darlene and getting introduced to her books. She’s identified what a really great book has – a good story. For kids, that means a great story with child heroes. Best wishes, Darlene, you’ve caught a wonderful whirlwind.
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I was in a minimalist mood (focusing on one question) and Darlene hit it out of the park. Loved this answer.
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Hi Jacqui – great to meet Darlene here and she’s got a really clever idea going … lots of places for Amanda to visit and to teach her readers about … love that. I used to completely lose myself in a range of books as a kid … it’s a wonderful world – the world of fiction and historical, documentary fiction … love it! Well done … cheers to you both – Hilary
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It is a clever idea, innit. I had never heard of this before meeting Darlene.
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Thanks, Hilary. It’s great to meet you as well. I appreciate your encouraging comments.
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Reblogged this on Darlene Foster's Blog and commented:
I am a guest today over at Jacqui Murray’s blog, Word Dreams. I answer her question, How do you create readers for life? See what I have to say.
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Yay! I love sharing.
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Great feature, Jacqui. What a wonderful goal, Darlene – to create lifelong readers! That in addition to teaching kids about cultures and people around the world. I can understand why you were delighted with the note from the grandmother. Job well done!
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Thank you for the vote of confidence!!
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I think she hit the ‘how-to’ dead center, don’t you, Diana?
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Yes! Absolutely. 🙂
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What a delightful interview. Thanks for sharing, ladies!
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Thanks, Jennifer. Glad you enjoyed it.
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I love seeing other writer’s take on these sorts of questions.
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Darlene’s book are excellent, Jacqui. I loved her answer to this question. I felt exactly the same about my books as a child and I still love to read.
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Thanks, Robbie. You are the perfect example of how your love of reading as a child made you a reader for life and inspired you to be a writer of children’s books!!
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Yes, I do believe you are right, Darlene. Now both my sons are readers too.
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I so agree. I’m a bit removed from those days but I loved revisiting that feeling through Darlene.
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I believe that the best gift that a parent can give to a child is ‘reading habit.’ Books that speak about simple adventures and take them places could be another and you are doing a wonderful job of writing such book Darlene.
Jacqui’s one question has told us so much about you and your books but I have one more question – What is the age group to start reading your books?
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My daughter would read anything but my son–not at all. I love having these books out there for young readers with specific focus.
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Thanks, Balroop. I wrote the books for age 8 to 12 but many advanced readers aged 6 and 7 enjoy them too. Also, many parents and grandparents read them to children as young as 3. One of my biggest fans is 5 years old. I guess it depends on the child.
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Thank you both for a lovely interview. I love the sound if Darlene’s books. 🌼
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I can see them as the go-to source when kids are studying one of these places. While Amanda is fiction, she is also Everygirl, as she travels the world.
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Thanks, so much. I made sure there was something for everyone in the books, travel, adventure, mystery and friendships. Boys and girls seem to enjoy them.
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Sounds like a great series — my children are young adults, but I’ll keep this in mind when/if they have children. I’m not sure how I did it, but they are all avid readers.
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I see this also as a gift book, for young children you don’t know what to purchase. This is an unusual series that will take kids so many places.
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Thanks! You did a great job of raising avid readers!
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Quite like her suggestion that adults should read children’s books.
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I’ve heard that from others. I do but it’s to buttress my teaching. I know lots of adults who read YA.
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It is amazing how refreshing it is to read a children’s book from time to time.
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Reblogged this on When Angels Fly.
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Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful article.
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Welcome!
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Thanks for the reblog!
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Welcome Darlene!
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Reading as a child opens up the world of creativity and confidence in oneself. So important to begin life with reading.
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I so agree, Grace.
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Isn’t that the truth! No wonder it’s positively tied to success in school.
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I love to revisit my childhood favorites. Thanks for introducing us to Darlene, Jacqui. Such a great question!
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NIce to meet you, Jill. Glad to hear you still read some of your childhood favourites!
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I have followed Darlene for a while. I don’t know a lot of children’s book series that bring travel to younger readers. This is exceptional.
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I still regularly revisit Anne of Green Gables and love them as much as when I first read them but when I had the chance to revisit the Bobbsey twins I found the language too old (not sure if that’s quite the right word) to be able to enjoy them – and I used to love the Bobbsey twins. I had shelves full of their adventures.
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I agree, the language in the Bobbsey Twins is dated, but it was their stories that made me want to travel as a child!! Children speak differently now. I too often reread Anne of Green Gables and still love her. That book is timeless.
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I know what you mean, AJ. I have that experience with some Westerns I wish to read but find the language so dated, it kicks me out of the story. Sad.
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What a find she is, and your question is perfect, allows so much space for Darlene to make some points that chimed with me. Nice post.
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Thanks, Cath. It was the perfect question as it’s a subject I love to talk about.
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I’ve been accused of being too tight in my prose. I suppose my author interviews are the same issue–one question!
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I think Darlene’s response justifies your economy – ‘the perfect question’ – now that’s praise!
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Thank you for inviting me to be on your blog, Jacquie. xo
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It’s my pleasure, Darlene. This is such an important topic and you’ve covered it perfectly.
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Jaqui, you have done an beautiful work of the interview with Darlene.
Darlene, I do love your answers and have now taken with me one phrase
that had me laughing, ” the serious business of adulting”.
Luckily I never had a serious case of this and so understand how your love
writing for children.
Congratulations to you both
miriam
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Thank you, Miriam. Adulting can become way too serious so I am glad you have not suffered from it!! We are only young once, but we can be youthful forever. So pleased you enjoyed the article.
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That is a great phrase, innit–“the serious business of adulting”. Do I have to!
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indeed – your tile is so unique, great and informative – enjoyable to read over this post and learn more about adventure…
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LIfe is just one big adventure!! Pleased you enjoyed my response to Jacquie’s question.
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There are a lot of similarities between reading and music, don’t you think, Mihrank? Especially in their ability to reach kids. Thanks for visiting!
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