I realize I haven't posted here for a while, and I apologize. But I haven't been one hundred per cent sure what to say. The past few weeks have been difficult, as I've watched our country be torn apart by an election. I've seen people furious over who won. I've seen people thrilled by who won. I've seen people unable to function and in genuine pain over the results. That's to be expected I suppose. But what isn't to be expected is the hatred I've seen toward those who some view as "others." It's as though they've been given permission to hurt them. Through words Through violence. Through the drawing of hateful swastikas (on playgrounds!). It's despicable and I wish the people the evil doers claim to be honoring with their actions would speak out and stop it. (As of this writing they have not.) I never dreamed there was so much vehement anger in this country. But then again, I live in that "bubble."
Actually, I don't think living in a bubble is a bad thing. In fact, I hope my books give kids a few hours in a bubble. I want kids to laugh despite what's going on around them. I want them to spend time in a world where the bad guys get their comeuppance in the end. I want them to find refuge in a world where the worst thing that can happen to you is a really big burp.
When I started the Magic Bone series, I wrote it because I thought seeing things from a dog's eye view would be fun. But now I see it may have a greater purpose--introducing kids to other cultures, and allowing them to see that while people may look different, speak different languages, or eat different foods, they all have the same needs, wants and desires. They all want to feel safe in a family, have a purpose in the world, and be surrounded by friends and love. If they can see that, maybe the next generation won't hate people because they are different. Maybe they will embrace them, learn from them, and find joy in their company.
Okay, I know this is lofty language coming from someone who truly is known for turning a girl into a hamster, giving a boy a magical burp that makes him leap up on tables and do the hokey pokey, or creating a robot who thinks laughing your head off literally means tearing off your head. But it is the truth. MY TRUTH. When kids ask me why I write children's books I tell them all the same thing. I write because I want them to love to read and to love to laugh. In the scheme of things, I think that's a pretty noble thing.
Actually, I don't think living in a bubble is a bad thing. In fact, I hope my books give kids a few hours in a bubble. I want kids to laugh despite what's going on around them. I want them to spend time in a world where the bad guys get their comeuppance in the end. I want them to find refuge in a world where the worst thing that can happen to you is a really big burp.
When I started the Magic Bone series, I wrote it because I thought seeing things from a dog's eye view would be fun. But now I see it may have a greater purpose--introducing kids to other cultures, and allowing them to see that while people may look different, speak different languages, or eat different foods, they all have the same needs, wants and desires. They all want to feel safe in a family, have a purpose in the world, and be surrounded by friends and love. If they can see that, maybe the next generation won't hate people because they are different. Maybe they will embrace them, learn from them, and find joy in their company.
Okay, I know this is lofty language coming from someone who truly is known for turning a girl into a hamster, giving a boy a magical burp that makes him leap up on tables and do the hokey pokey, or creating a robot who thinks laughing your head off literally means tearing off your head. But it is the truth. MY TRUTH. When kids ask me why I write children's books I tell them all the same thing. I write because I want them to love to read and to love to laugh. In the scheme of things, I think that's a pretty noble thing.
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