A Reader’s Bill of Rights

The above “Bill of Rights” is the work of one Daniel Pennac and is contained within his popular book, Better Than Life.

Its publisher, Stenhouse Publishers, describes it best:   “In Better than Life, Daniel Pennac shares the secrets that all book lovers treasure. Delving into his experiences as a parent, a writer and a teacher, he asks, how does the love of reading begin? How is it lost? And how can it be regained? This remarkable book explores simple ways to create a life-long devotion to reading.”

Sticking to the “Reader’s Bill of Rights”, note that there is an enchanting version of it produced in a stand-alone book illustrated, and with a forward by, Quentin Blake. Anyone recognize the look of Literary Love in that expression?!

Though first drawn to Daniel Pennac by his “Rights”, I was impressed by what I learned about his career and commitment to promoting Literacy for children. An article in the Independent newspaper entitled: Daniel Pennac: Head Teacher from the School of Joy will tell you more … click the link to read on and enjoy!

Reading Here and There

I had to chuckle on Saturday morning while reading The Globe and Mail feature “My Books, My Place”. This week’s guest was Kate Beaton, a cartoon artist whose work appears primarily on the web (Hark! A Vagrant) and now in a recently published book format of the same title. Here, along with her illustration above, is Kate’s charming contribution to the Globe:

My favourite place to read is really anywhere so long as I can spread myself out. Couch, rug, bed, whatever feels best. This is because I’m a fidgeter. I flip-flop around a book like it’s the only thing I have to hold onto in a storm.

I wish I could tell you that I read in my favourite café with my legs neatly crossed, sitting next to a peppermint tea atop a dainty saucer, all in a beam of morning light. But I can’t, because I’m lying on my belly, ignoring the fact that leaning on my arms is making them fall asleep. When they do, no problem. I just plop around onto my back and hold the book above my head, or maybe curl around the book on my side in some unnatural fashion, or sit up and balance it on my knees.

Did you just step on something? Oh, that was me. I was rolled up in a blanket on the floor. Don’t worry about it.

When I was a teenager, I even threw sitting awkwardly upside down into the mix, legs thrown up and over the back of an armchair, but had to give that up when I became a Lady because no gentleman worth his salt takes an upside-down person to the altar. Not that I’m fishing for husbands when I’m halfway through the latest George R.R. Martin, but you have to draw a general conduct line somewhere, don’t you think?

Are you like Kate, a fidgeter? I love a big armchair with room to curl … you?

Journaling Inspiration

There’s something about January that musters up a desire to be creative – have you found that? Specifically, I find that Journals catch my eye and the idea of keeping one appeals more than usual; I suppose that must be linked to the start of a new calendar year. I have never religiously kept a “Diary” type journal but do have a jumble of well-loved and scrawled upon notebooks – I always have one with me and fill it with random thoughts and observations. If I don’t write it down … whoosh! Gone for good.  There are so many beautiful notebooks available these days; the notebook itself can serve as inspiration. It also fascinates me to peek at the notebooks kept by artists. Take a look at these lovely books featuring the sketchbooks of various artists – you’ll be trotting out to pick up a palette of paints or a crisp box of Crayolas (deep sniff – yum!) and bursting forth with your own creativity in no time.

Take a video wander through the pages and hear about An Illustrated Life’s creation below:

Drawn In: A Peek Into the Inspiring Sketchbooks of 44 Fine Artists & Illustrators, Graphic Designers & Cartoonists presented by Julia Rothman. Click on the image to be taken to amazon.ca and an opportunity to look within.

And of course there are a few other artists who have their sketchbooks published for our enjoyment. Here are two classics:

The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden is out of print nowadays but you can keep an eye out in your local Used books store. Worth a search.

  

Sara Midda’s tiny watercolours are beautiful. South of France is my favourite but she has done several other books in similar style including In and Out of the Garden.

Feeling inspired yet? You could start by treating yourself to a whimsical notebook like these ones … (available at Chapters and beyond) Have fun!

Happy New Year – Good Reading Ahead!

Happy New Year to you all … and yes, a wish as well for a year of good reading ahead!

To give you a little kick-start, here are a few articles I’ve enjoyed on-line in recent weeks – just click on the link and read away!

How many of you have crossed over to the e-reader side? Were you the recipient of an e-reader gift this Christmas? I’ve not surrendered but admit to being tempted. I enjoyed Daphne Bramham of the Vancouver Sun’s take on her e-reader experience here.

Katherine Paterson, recent US National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature and author of Bridge to Terabithia and Jacob Have I Loved, reviews her tenure in a moving article here in the Huffington Post.

Read about the true life inspiration for the beloved novel National Velvet: Enid Bagnold’s daughter and British First Lady Samantha Cameron’s great-aunt, Laurian, Comtesse d’Harcourt. Liz Hunt’s article in the Telegraph beautifully captures the lady and the fascinating life she’s lived. Ah the trivia!

Did you manage to read some good books over the holidays? Let me/us know which ones were hits. I’ve been in a bit of a slump lately – haven’t read a “love-it!” book for a while so I’m all ears.

And finally, a lovely quote to read at the start of a year from the short story The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald:

Christmas Snowy Woods

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound’s the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

Robert Frost, 1923

I have always loved the poetry of Robert Frost and this particular poem always makes me think of taking time for a quiet moment during the busy-ness; some of my most cherished Christmas season memories involve snow and horses and I love the image he paints. Whether you be surrounded by snow (Hello Skiers!) or warmed by a hot tropical sun (Hello Hawaii!) or dampened by a soggy mist (Hello Vancouver!) … whatever your holiday weather, I hope you are gathered with family and friends and still finding a quiet moment to reflect peacefully and gratefully on what you value most in the world.

A warm welcome to those who’ve recently joined our Bedside Table Books community and a thank you to those who’ve been here from the start … Have a wonder-ful Holiday season and may fresh pages, and time to read them, await you!

The Greatest Gift: A Wonderful Life

Before there was “It’s A Wonderful Life” (the movie that’s become a heartwarming Christmas classic starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed) there was a charming little short story that seemed destined never to be read.

Philip Van Doren Stern was a writer and editor with particular expertise on the topic of the Civil War. One morning he awoke having had a strikingly clear dream about a suicidal man who was given an opportunity to view what life would have been like for those he loved had he not lived to impact their lives. Van Doren Stern quickly wrote down the dream in its entirety and then, over the following few years, worked it into a short story he called “The Greatest Gift”. When he believed it was ready to share, he distributed the story in hopes of publication but was met with unanimous rejection. Finally, during World War II, he printed 200 copies himself and distributed them as Christmas cards to friends and family. By chance, a Producer at RKO pictures had a chance to read the short story and was immediately motivated to purchase its film rights. At about the same time, Good Housekeeping magazine printed the story in their January 1945 issue with the title, “The Man Who Was Never Born”. In 1945, RKO sold the film rights again to Frank Capra who created the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life”, released in 1946. “It’s a Wonderful Life” did not enjoy box office success at all but still managed to be nominated for 5 Oscars – it won none. The movie faded away until the early 1970s when a clerical oversight resulted in a failure to renew the film’s copyright. It entered public domain and was promptly picked up by television networks whose frequent seasonal airings turned it into the classic it is now considered.

This holiday season, Graphic Image has issued a limited edition hard cover reproduction of Van Doren Stern’s first self-printed pamphlet which he shared with his friends. It’s a beautiful little book and can even be purchased in a fancy red leather collectible version. Take a peek at it here on the Graphic Image website. What a wonderful Christmas gift for your friends.

I love when a book is the star of the story!

I hope you’re finding time during this week to enjoy a few holiday classics – either in written or movie form.

Jan Brett – Snowy Delight!

If you are seeking a seasonal tale for a child in your life or an adult who enjoys gorgeous illustrations and heartwarming folktales, then do visit the Jan Brett section at the bookshop. Every one of her colourful stories is brilliant but I particularly delight in her wintry tales; they’re perfect for this time of year.  All of her books feature a wonderful array of animals and often exotic locations – she’s even blogged for the National Geographic about her travels and furry inspiration. (Read more here.) It’s also fascinating to hear about Jan at home with her very own menagerie – she raises a fancy brood of chickens and has a resident hedgehog who always graces the pages of her tales. It’s hard to choose a favourite but I am smitten by The Mitten!

Want-to-Reads

                                  

Yes – I am fully aware that I have a stack of books right here waiting for me to get back to reading at a normal rate of consumption (Ve-e-ee-ery slow lately!) but … these relatively new titles are among those on my “Want-to-Read” list. You have one of those too, right?  I was chatting with a Bedside Table Books community member (Hello Jessica!) the other evening about good book club titles to suggest. These are ones I’d have on my suggestion list. Have you read any of them? Let us know what you thought. What titles are on your current “Want-to-Read” list?

Eloise … and Kay!

Ahhhh Eloise. Who doesn’t love this little scamp?  She’s precocious, chatty, and cheeky, lives in New York City’s Plaza Hotel, torments her Nanny and the hotel staff, has a pet turtle named Skipperdee (he eats raisins she’s ordered from room service) and a pug called Weenie. She’s a busy one for all of six years old and she’s a favourite of several generations of storybook readers for sure. I couldn’t even begin to do justice to all of the reincarnations of Eloise out there so instead I offer this link to her home page where you’ll read about her various stories and the background. Meanwhile for present-day activities at The Plaza Hotel be certain to take a peek here.

Eloise was first published in 1955 and is a product of the imagination of one Kay Thompson – a musical performer, renowned vocal arranger for the likes of Judy Garland and Frank Sinatra, actress famed for her appearance with Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire in Funny Face and a generally quirky character herself. She collaborated with illustrator Hilary Knight who was perfectly skilled in bringing to life the words of Kay in the form of our beloved Eloise. It seems obvious that Eloise was just a smaller version of the real-life Kay though rumours swirl that her God-daughter Liza Minnelli was the inspiration. To straighten out this story and learn more about the lively Kay Thompson I’m delighted to report we can turn to the pages of a newly released biography by Sam Irvin.

If you think Eloise is a handful, you’ll be astonished by the sassiness of her creator.  This quote from Kay has me hooked on wanting to learn more about her:

I’ve discovered the secret of life: a lot of hard work, a lot of sense of humor, a lot of joy, and a whole lot of tra-la-la!
– Kay Thompson

Tra-la-la!

Goldfinch by Janet Hill

On November 3rd I introduced you to the scrumptious artwork of Janet Hill. You will remember the beautiful colours and charming subject matter, often featuring readers with their books. I jotted a quick note to Janet and let her know I was a fan and, as such, had featured her here on Bedside Table Books. She kindly replied, professing her own love of books, and mused that because they were all around her they seemed to find their way into her paintings.

Tonight, as I was about to climb into bed with my book (looking much frumpier and more flannel-ized than the lovely lady above!), I thought I’d drop in on Bedside Table Books and see what was happening. And something WAS happening. A flurry of visitors was making its way over from Janet Hill’s blog site. It seems (and you’ll have to click here and read the story for yourself) that Janet was intrigued by John Gannam who was chatted about along with her here on the 3rd of November. She was so taken by his work in fact, that she was inspired to create the absolutely gorgeous painting above. She writes that she painted it with Gannam and the impish Holly Golightly in mind. The work is called “Goldfinch” and you will want to spend some time admiring it on Janet’s etsy site. Sadly, it has already sold. I am sure it will make its new owner very happy though!

And so I thought I’d share this tale with you – I love a little story of sharing ideas and inspiration … and always with a book in hand.