A Tribute To Books And Authors Of My Early Childhood.

As I move all-to-quickly into my mid-forties, I find myself mildly obsessed with obtaining copies of those works – books, movies, and even radio programs – I consumed that shaped my youth. I remember books I read, over and over, movies I saw, even radio programs I heard as a child. I suppose I am attempting to re-create my childhood, or, at least, remember the good times (a few), feelings (many) and opportunities (lots) to escape an unhappy childhood that these works provided.

Which is why, in part, yesterday’s passing of children’s author Madeleine L’Engle, in my former home state of Connecticut, struck a deep chord. When I read the headline in today’s New York Times, “Madeleine L’Engle, Children’s Writer, Is Dead” I immediately was brought back to her famous book, the 1963 John Newbery Medal winner, “A Wrinkle in Time.” The book, set in Connecticut, was so controversial that it earned the honor of being one of the most banned books in America. I just thought it was fascinating. And, for those who have never read it, but saw the 2004 made for TV movie, trust me, the book is much better.

All this reminiscing reminded me of other award-winning books I read as a child. (I was a voracious reader, and won a contest in second grade for reading the most books.) Another John Newbery Medal winner, also made into a movie (far better than the “Wrinkle” movie,) is 1945’s classic, Rabbit Hill, by another Connecticut author, Robert Lawson. I remember seeing the adaptation, 1967’s “Little Georgie of Rabbit Hill,” in the very location it was filmed: The Stamford Museum, in Stamford, Connecticut.

And who can forget 1968’s Newbery Medal winner, “From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler”, which is set in Connecticut and Manhattan, and, again, was made into a movie – twice, this time, the first, in 1973, with Ingrid Bergman, and again, in 1995, with Lauren Bacall. The 1973 version is better. Four years later followed Robert C. O’Brien’s Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. And lastly, 1942’s Caldecott Medal winning book that I remember so clearly it feels like yesterday, Robert McCloskey’s “Make Way for Ducklings.”

Tags: Children’s books, Connecticut, NYC, Award