An Awesome Find
February 4, 2011 4 Comments
Over the last several weeks, I have been very privileged to gain some insight into the worlds of various writers, and what gives them inspiration. I love the fact that writing allows you to be very introspective of yourself. It is said that some of your best writing comes from what you know.
I would propose that some of the best writing comes from what you choose to learn about as well. Do you recognize the books to the left? These are just a small sampling of books that author and illustrator David MaCaulay has written. I was first introduced to these books in my junior high years. I was absolutely enthralled by the pictures on the pages, and the moving descriptions of what was going on.
These books were written for children (ages 10-14 primarily). However, if you ever encounter these books as an adult, I often find that other adults will say that they continue to reference these books often. The amount of information in these books is staggering. However, because of the way the books are illustrated, and the way the stories are weaved, you almost forget that you are learning something in the process.
I was only recently reintroduced to these books as my oldest daughter has just now come to the age where she will appreciate books like this. Since an early age, she has always aspired to become an illustrator of some kind. I want to pass on these wonderful books to her to inspire her to continue working towards that goal. Her eyes lit up when I showed these to her, and encouraged her to check them out in the school library.
I consider these to be lost treasures that I have just now rediscovered. I am going to start building a library of these books so that I can share them with all of my children. Not only that, it will give me a chance to personally revisit the books, and learn something new all over again.
I guess that’s another beauty to writing. It offers someone a time capsule to revisit things that might have been forgotten.
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About Mike Lemons
Hi Mike,
I enjoyed reading your post and have just recently read a young adult book about Nelson Mandela that filled me in on some things I didn’t know about him. The book had enough information to inform but wasn’t too heavy or academic that a teenager (or myself) would lose interest. Photos of his life and times were appreciated too!
I’m glad you enjoyed it…I have learned that sometimes we learn more from the stuff that isn’t to “heady” than we do from in depth biographies or technical stuff…
Have you seen “Invictus?” I’ve seen it three times already and LOVED it each time. It’s the story of Nelson Mandela after becoming president of South Africa and how he uses a rugby team to bring together two sides of what could have escalated into a civil war. Morgan Freeman does a fantastic job as Mandela. We used the film as a development event for the staff at our organization and had an employee who was born and attended school in South Africa share some insights and observations. It was fascinating and made the story that much better. If you haven’t seen it, check it out.
I haven’t seen it yet…but have heard good things about it…will have to check it out…