Words by Ilonka Louw
As children, we read with abandon, devouring books like they were made of sweets instead of dry paper and ink. We lived in their worlds of imagination, friendship, adventure, and rhyme. And our days were filled with just as much magic! Then, we had to grow up – because Peter Pan wasn’t going to whisk us away to Neverland. And we started to learn that maybe Tinker Bell wasn’t so happy just being the sidekick, and that perhaps Captain Hook wasn’t the baddy – only a pirate who tried to stop his nemesis from stealing more children! And, of course, we all fell in love with (Captain) Jack Sparrow, who made all other pirates seem…well, less. The point is, we grew up. We became adults who drink red wine and snack on bruschettas instead of Butterbeer and Candyfloss. We hid our pirate swords and teddy bears, and packed away our satchels of Fairy Dust, as our minds became consumed with less happy thoughts that were just too heavy to lift.
But, some of those books grew up too. Their themes changed; their storylines matured, and suddenly their pages had a whole other story to tell. So, we’ve made a list, especially for you, of stories that were written for kids, but – hey – they still work for adults too (wink).
- The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
“All grown-ups were once children, but only few of them remember it.”
Hop into your spaceship – let’s go for a ride through space. You might remember the humans on those far and distant planets that the Little Prince told you about. You may recall his special home, with the single, beloved rose and three volcanoes. And you might remember the pilot who learned from the golden-haired boy what it was to be a child again. But, what do you see now, adult? Can you still see the snake that ate the elephant? Can you appreciate the beauty of nature and a single flower? Do you appreciate Life, and all that comes with it? Re-open the book, have a read…maybe you’ll find something new.
- Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
“Imagination is the only weapon in the war against reality.”
It’s only a short tumble down the rabbit hole into that world of fantasy and chaos. It’s only one or two bites of that cake – a sip here or there, a tea party somewhere and a game of croquet on the other side. But as you travel through the nonsense paths as an adult, you might find a whole new perspective…you might find a whole new you. Feeling a little lost? Don’t worry, you’ll find yourself eventually. Just flip through the pages of your old Alice and you might just discover something…undiscovered.
- The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
“You become… that’s why it doesn’t happen often to people who break easily…”
Where did all your favourite toys go? After you played together for summers on end. After all their fur was rubbed off, and their eyes began to droop? We suspect they took the road to become Real. Now, this may be your chance to meet them all again. To rediscover what is important in Life. To reinvestigate friendship, love, self-worth…and to finally understand what makes you Real.
Incidentally, the Velveteen Rabbit celebrates its 100th birthday this year – perhaps it’s just the sign you need to delve back into the Nursery Magic.
- The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
“Come along inside. We’ll see if tea and buns can make the world a better place.”
We laughed at them, we giggled, we stared in wonder at the four friends that could make the most of an English Spring Day; that could understand the value of the little things like a boat ride on the river, warm toast and butter, being friends no matter what, and the simple pleasure of tea and buns. And in a world that often seems too complex to figure out, we think it’s just the right time to revisit your old friends in the Willows. Lap up the sunlight with Mole, go for a motor car ride with Toad (if you dare), sail the river with Rat, and fill up your compassion, kindness and wisdom in an afternoon with Badger. It might be just what you need to make the world a better place.
We might not be able to whisk you back to childhood, give you back the rose-tinted glasses and fantastical mirrors through which you once saw the world. But books like the ones above will take you back to all your favourite places, sweep you on some grand adventures, then bring you back home safely at the turn of the last page. All the while reminding you how to appreciate Life and the little things like a child again.