THE PERPETUAL VISITOR: Sustainable Creative Living.
  • Blog
  • About Me
  • Things I Teach
  • Things I Make
    • The Book: The Perpetual Visitor
    • Wild Unfolding: and other poems
    • New Bird
    • The Podcast
    • Theatre
    • Film
    • Poetry
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • About Me
  • Things I Teach
  • Things I Make
    • The Book: The Perpetual Visitor
    • Wild Unfolding: and other poems
    • New Bird
    • The Podcast
    • Theatre
    • Film
    • Poetry
  • Contact

Tiny Tips for Creativity #5: Reread a Favorite Childhood Book

9/28/2016

1 Comment

 
Picture

​I have been listening to an old favorite childhood book as an audio-book this week, and with the wonky schedule I've been balancing lately, it has hit the spot. 

From the Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg is a book I read when I was probably nine or ten years old, and though I haven't picked up since, I've remembered it all these years. It's as a sweet and suspenseful story that follows two siblings as they run away to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Claudia and her younger accomplice Jamie visit Rockefeller Center, the New York Public Library, and spend their nights sleeping in antique canopy beds deep in the halls of the museum. Eventually, they find a beautiful statue in the museum, "Angel" that the museum has purchased for $225 but is suspected to be one of the great undiscovered works of Michelangelo. The siblings strive to solve the mystery, and wonder and adventure ensue. It was written in 1967, so certainly excuse the seemingly impossible circumstances here. It is incredibly refreshing to watch as the two children attempt to find clues and solve the case using their library cards, the New York Times, and fingerprints. No smart phones allowed!

Some parts of the book resonated just as they did when I was a child, especially the beginning of the book where the main character, Claudia, explains that she chose New York City to run away to: "because it was elegant; it was important; and busy." The ensuing adventures in the nooks and crannies of the Met, the meals of macaroni and cheese and coffee in small diners (where the bill comes to a couple of dollars), and the sight of ice skaters at Rockefeller Center all hit me hard in the soft spot I have for NYC. 

Other parts of the book made me laugh out loud and wonder whether or not certain references went right over my head as a kid, such as when the younger brother Jamie finds an uneaten candy bar on the street, and is warned by Claudia "it’s probably poisoned or filled with marijuana, so you’ll eat it and become either dead or a dope addict. … Someone put it there on purpose. Someone who pushes dope.” What?! Too funny!

Listening to the story as an audio-book has been a lovely throwback as well, taking me back to the days of being read a story as a kid. I have listened to the book while commuting on the subway (MUCH better than scrolling through CNN), as well as falling asleep to it as I lay in bed, which had a comforting, cozy feel to it. It's like the best parts of childhood and adulthood combined: you get to stay up as late as you want AND you get a bedtime story. What's not to like?

Have you read this book? If you have, you might enjoy this Mental Floss article that has some fun facts about the book.

What's your favorite way to throw back to childhood? 


1 Comment
Laura Hobson
12/23/2022 02:49:29 pm

I was really stressed by Acid reflux issues with my newborn and had consulted Chief Dr Lucky. He gave us a thorough consultation and the medicines were equally effective. In a couple of weeks there was big improvement in my son and we are very pleased with the progress. We cannot thank Chief Dr Lucky enough. Highly recommended.

Email chiefdrlucky@gmail.com

WhatsApp +2348132777335

Facebook page http://facebook.com/chiefdrlucky

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    My name is Melissa and I'm an actor, playwright, author, filmmaker, and teaching artist who wants to help you discover, cultivate, and care for your creativity. 
     
    What does being creative mean to you?

    How do you play every day?

    This is a space for taking a break, a breath,  and finding ways to flex our imagination and find the joy where we can. 

    ​No one is going to present us with a ready made creative life--we have  to step up and gift it to ourselves. I'm so glad you're here.

    Categories

    All
    Artist Dates
    Creative Recharge
    Creative Risks
    Motivation Monday
    Persistence
    Play
    Success
    Theatre
    Tiny Tips For Creativity
    Whole Artist
    Writing

    Archives

    December 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    November 2021
    August 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    August 2020
    July 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013

    Want to get blog posts delivered right to your inbox? Sign up to receive The Perpetual Visitor below and never miss creative conversation!

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.