After a lifetime with books and libraries, I’m not easily riveted by anyone’s thoughts on reading. The rewards seem so obvious. Tara held my attention with her expansive approach to poetry, high art or not, and the theatrical metaphor that anchors the interview. And who could not be charmed by a kid lost in Chaucer? Hallelujah!
Haha! I feel very fortunate to carry that Chaucer-absorbed kid around with me. She knew absolutely nothing about academia, but enough about book-love to pass it on. Thank you for reading and sharing the interview.
"I think of reading as a rehearsal space for the lives we haven’t lived yet, and a dressing room for trying on lives we’ll never live." That is a remarkable reflection! Tara, you're singing my song. As a retired Elementary and Early Childhood teacher I share your ardor for good books, especially the picture book variety. This was such an enjoyable read--thank you!
Jody! Nice to see you here. I’ve developed a love of picture books since coming back to them as a parent and then as the instigator of an early literacy program. So many good ones are published every year that I’m encouraged! I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Hello to Renton from this Seattle-Tacoma corridor kid! Haha.
Thank you, Matthew and Tara. It's been a joy reading and learning from both of you in your questions, Matthew. And of course, in Tara's thoughtful and enlightening responses.
Dear Matthew and Tara, what a gorgeous interview! Thank you both...
The first book that I remember falling in love with, aged four, was the book that shaped my whole life. It was called Primrose and the Winter Witch written by Frantisek Hrubin, rewritten by James Reeves. It tells the tale of a young girl named Primrose who embarks on a journey to fight the clutches of the wicked Winter Witch. The pictures were a delight, but when my mum read the story to me I it was like stepping inside a dream! I learnt to read and never stopped.
Oh, my, Tara, you reminded me of Judi Dench reciting Sonnet 29. If anyone hasn't seen these few minutes, they're priceless: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_X1dbO-quI&ab_channel=BBC I go back to this video now and then, and every time I breathe deep again.
I really like Tara’s phrase “bookish serendipity” to describe how reading one book always leads on to something else. That’s something I always hope my own students will discover. Thanks for the interview.
Thank goodness bookish serendipity is not an official learning outcome. It would be beastly to try to track. Best left in the zone of mystery and surprise. :-)
You have succinctly stated one of my chief objections to the entire enterprise of learning outcomes and assessment: the most important outcomes not only cannot really be tracked, they cannot even be fully known in advance. This is true of all life's most important activities: marriage, raising children, friendship, education.
Thank you, Matthew! I subscribed to Tara because you led me to her!
Thank you, Linda and Matthew! I’m honored to be here in Matthew’s interview series, and delighted to discover our common interests, Linda.
My thanks to Matthew for reading The Hallelujah Book and Hope Letter carefully enough to ask such good questions! ❤️
After a lifetime with books and libraries, I’m not easily riveted by anyone’s thoughts on reading. The rewards seem so obvious. Tara held my attention with her expansive approach to poetry, high art or not, and the theatrical metaphor that anchors the interview. And who could not be charmed by a kid lost in Chaucer? Hallelujah!
Haha! I feel very fortunate to carry that Chaucer-absorbed kid around with me. She knew absolutely nothing about academia, but enough about book-love to pass it on. Thank you for reading and sharing the interview.
Tara's Substack is a constant source of hope, thoughtfulness, and good humor. And superb cat selfies. Loved this interview!
Thank you, Amanda!! 💕 (Note to self: Take more cat selfies.)
"I think of reading as a rehearsal space for the lives we haven’t lived yet, and a dressing room for trying on lives we’ll never live." That is a remarkable reflection! Tara, you're singing my song. As a retired Elementary and Early Childhood teacher I share your ardor for good books, especially the picture book variety. This was such an enjoyable read--thank you!
(Waving hello from Renton WA).
Jody! Nice to see you here. I’ve developed a love of picture books since coming back to them as a parent and then as the instigator of an early literacy program. So many good ones are published every year that I’m encouraged! I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Hello to Renton from this Seattle-Tacoma corridor kid! Haha.
So many good picture books out there, yes? This retired teacher and Nana has a few shelves full. You're doing good work!
📚🥰
Thank you, Matthew and Tara. It's been a joy reading and learning from both of you in your questions, Matthew. And of course, in Tara's thoughtful and enlightening responses.
Just for you, the short version might be: When life gets messy, grab a book. :-)
“From reading we learn that we are not bounded by our skin.” I am completely enamored at this line, Tara.
And of your community projects! Can’t wait to learn about the next one.
In certain distinguished cases, that line should end, “… not bounded by the skin of our van.”
🚐
I’m planning to announce the midsummer community project in June. Stay tuned…. :-)
Not bounded by the skin of our van!!! Love it sooo much. (As do Ruby and Vivian.)
Ohhhhh. Yay. Looking forward to the next project.
Dear Matthew and Tara, what a gorgeous interview! Thank you both...
The first book that I remember falling in love with, aged four, was the book that shaped my whole life. It was called Primrose and the Winter Witch written by Frantisek Hrubin, rewritten by James Reeves. It tells the tale of a young girl named Primrose who embarks on a journey to fight the clutches of the wicked Winter Witch. The pictures were a delight, but when my mum read the story to me I it was like stepping inside a dream! I learnt to read and never stopped.
What a wonderful title! I’d have fallen for a book like that, too. Now I’ll be on the lookout for a copy. Thank you for sharing the interview!
Oh, my, Tara, you reminded me of Judi Dench reciting Sonnet 29. If anyone hasn't seen these few minutes, they're priceless: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_X1dbO-quI&ab_channel=BBC I go back to this video now and then, and every time I breathe deep again.
Oh yes, she is so stately! Thanks for sharing the link and the post. ❤️
She’s exactly right. The Bard’s words are “completely sufficient for what your emotion is.” Well said.
I really like Tara’s phrase “bookish serendipity” to describe how reading one book always leads on to something else. That’s something I always hope my own students will discover. Thanks for the interview.
Thank goodness bookish serendipity is not an official learning outcome. It would be beastly to try to track. Best left in the zone of mystery and surprise. :-)
You have succinctly stated one of my chief objections to the entire enterprise of learning outcomes and assessment: the most important outcomes not only cannot really be tracked, they cannot even be fully known in advance. This is true of all life's most important activities: marriage, raising children, friendship, education.
But I could go on for a long time about that! ; )
Quite right, Professor! :-) It will be a sad, dull day when everything in my class goes exactly according to plan.