My love of books started as soon as my mother taught me how to read, and I've more or less had my head stuck in a book ever since. As this is my first post, I thought it would be quite timely to look back at my childhood favourites and perhaps encourage you to revisit yours!
Of all the books I read as a child (and there were many!), there were two in particular that consumed me more than any other to the point that I felt as though I had lost a friend when I had finished them. The first is Matilda by Roald Dahl, and the second Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.
"These books gave Matilda a hopeful and comforting message: You are not alone".
Roald Dahl, Matilda
The story of Matilda moved me more than any other and it was a book I returned to time and time again, as you can see from my well worn copy. Roald Dahl's stories are comical and laugh out loud funny, whilst always conveying an important message to readers (both young and old!). Matilda is no exception, showing that in the end good will overcome evil.
One of my favourite things about Roald Dahl's writing was his ability to come up with such descriptive names for his characters; Mr Wormwood, the smarmy, slightly greasy sales man; Miss Trunchbull, the heavy set, foul, bullying headmistress; Miss Honey, the sickly sweet, innocent school teacher; and perhaps my favourite, Bruce Bogtrotter the greedy, overweight lover of chocolate cake who becomes somewhat of a hero! These names create a vision for the reader of what the characters would look like, and Quentin Blake's illustrations capture this perfectly.
"A quick temper, sharp tongue, and restless spirit were always getting her into scrapes, and her life was a series of ups and downs, which were both comic and pathetic".
Louisa May Alcott, Little Women
If someone were to ask me who my fictional heroine is, I would without a doubt say Jo March. I read Little Women for the first time at quite a young age, and thought that I could see elements of myself in Jo but I think I was flattering myself a little! In actual fact, I think that I saw the type of woman I wanted to become and has probably shaped some of my thoughts and opinions that I hold today. Little Women challenged some of the gender constraints at that time, it showed that women could be ambitious and didn't always behave in a way that was 'expected' of them. For those of you who have read Little Women, you will each have your favourite March sister and probably know someone who shares the personality traits of each...I know I do, but I won't name names! For those of you who haven't read it, if you take nothing else away from this blog please get a copy of Little Women and read it immediately!
"It wasn't a bit of good fighting grown-ups. They could do exactly as they liked".
Enid Blyton, Five on a Treasure Island
I couldn't write a post of this kind without mentioning Enid Blyton. The Adventures of the Wishing Chair was the first book that I remember going to a book shop and choosing myself - a big moment! From that point on I became an avid reader of all things Enid Blyton, and as well as flying to faraway places on the wishing chair, I was taken on adventures with the Famous Five and sharing midnight feasts with the twins at St Clare's.
Well, that's my first post done and dusted! I hope you enjoyed and that it helped you reminisce about the books that helped make you who you are today. I'd love to hear about them! Until next time...
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