Discussion: age of readers

age of readers

I was about 40 when I first read "Beauty", although as a school librarian, I had been aware of it for some time. I don't have enough hours in the day to read everything that's available for purchase for our library, but boy, am I glad I discovered Robin McKinley! I have added a HC copy of "Beauty" to the library's collection and bought a paperback copy of my own to loan out to friends. Now I need a HC copy of my own! It is no coincidence that Disney's B&TB is my favorite D. movie and I agree that it has a lot of elements from Robin's book. Disney cruises classics all the time to find ideas (Jungle Book,Little Mermaid,Pollyanna are among some of their adaptations of famous books/stories) and I doubt if they missed "Beauty"... after all, it was a Newbery winner. I think Robin's book is a wonderful story... I only wish it had been around when I was much younger, so that it could have been part of what made me who I am. I call those kinds of books "Comfort books" (you reread them regularly, for inspiration, memories and comfort when your world is falling apart... mine growing up was Frances Hogdson Burnett's "A Little Princess")I have read and enjoyed everything that Robin has written, except "Deerskin" (read it, didn't enjoy iy, too violent and too close to reality for many women to really enjoy it, although well written) and I own copies of "Outlaws", "Blue Sword" and "Hero and Crown", as well as "Beauty". I am really excited about "Rose Cottage" coming out, although I hope it is an adaptation of the Red Rose, White Rose story rather than a sequel of B&TB. However, I'm looking forward to it, whatever it is! I'd love to correspond with other bibliophiles, especially those who read and enjoy children's and young adult books. As a librarian and an avid reader, I'm always looking for a new read!

From: Betty
bettywinslow@usa.net
Saturday, May 17, 1997 at 12:44:46 (EDT)