Celebrating Beverly Cleary

04/08/2021

I'm more interested in arousing enthusiasm in kids than in teaching the facts. The facts may change, but that enthusiasm for exploring the world will remain with them the rest of their lives.
Seymour Simon, writer of science books for children

The beloved children’s book author, Beverly Cleary, died recently at 104.

She is famously quoted as saying:

“Children should learn that reading is pleasure, not just something that teachers make you do in school,” and, “If you don't see the book you want on the shelves, write it.”

Rebecca Giles, in her popular book, A Young Writer’s World emphasizes the importance of encouraging children’s interest in writing in a natural way:

“To a large extent, children’s conceptual understanding of writing begins naturally through exposure to printed language in their environment. Children’s awareness of writing is also influenced as they develop interest in language and a love of stories. By the time they begin walking and talking, surrounded by books and other print, and repeatedly hearing stories, songs, and poems, they become eager to record their own ideas in similar forms. With appropriate adult support, young children progress
from orally playing with words to putting their words onto paper. Purposeful opportunities to communicate through print help children build positive attitudes toward writing.”

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