My goodness I loved this idea! D’Auleries Greek Myths was one of my most beloved children’s books, and I was so excited as an adult to discover his Norse Myths. Another series that formed me to love Tolkien I think was the Redwall Series-big meaty books for a kid, medieval aesthetic, clear lines of good vs evil
I love this!!! Have you read Holly Ordway's book, Tolkien's Modern Reading? I loved learning about Tolkien's influences (William Morris! H. Rider Haggard! Beatrix Potter!). I grew up on the d'Aulaires. Their work is incredible. I would also humbly submit the work of Ruth Sanderson, who really should publish a book of her LOTR illustrations.
I haven't read Ordway's book yet but I've been meaning to! Also, I didn't know Ruth Sanderson had done LOTR illustrations! I love her. Going to go look them up!
It all started when I was trying to get a copy of her book about her art, Golden Dreams, for less than $400 (what it was going for on Ebay), and then I found what felt like fairyland! :)
This is wonderful! And so helpful because I would have no idea where to start with preparing children for Lord of the Rings. Actually, I need to do my own remedial reading! I've never heard of Mio, My Son, even though I loved Pippi Longstocking as a child. The Little Grey Men and The Princess and the Goblin are some of my recent reads that it was so fun to see on this list!
Elizabeth, I think I found The Little Grey Men through you! That one and Mio, My Son and the D'aulaires are all NYRB Kids reprints. You always know you're in for a good time with their books! And I did debate whether to add an addendum stating that this list doesn't just have to be for kids. It was inspired by a conversation with my adult brother about stories that ought to be read before Tolkien, and he told me to send him a list if I ever came up with one 😄
I love how this came about! Totally agree about NYRB. I’ve got these down on my list to look for at my local bookstore. 😍 I think I learned about Little Grey Men from Slightly Foxed! I also loved your paragraph early in about the conversations books have when we pick them up and read. 👏🏻
I recently read aloud Mio, My Son to my 2 youngest daughters and loved it! I copied down several quotations from it and am considering writing something about it - we'll see. I'm glad you mention it here. It's well worth reading.
Oh I'd love to read your thoughts about it! It's extraordinary--very Christological even though Lindgren wasn't religious (that I know of). I read she wrote after her father passed away.
My goodness I loved this idea! D’Auleries Greek Myths was one of my most beloved children’s books, and I was so excited as an adult to discover his Norse Myths. Another series that formed me to love Tolkien I think was the Redwall Series-big meaty books for a kid, medieval aesthetic, clear lines of good vs evil
Redwall! I can't believe I didn't think to put that in here. I feel like it must have primed countless kids for LOTR.
I love this!!! Have you read Holly Ordway's book, Tolkien's Modern Reading? I loved learning about Tolkien's influences (William Morris! H. Rider Haggard! Beatrix Potter!). I grew up on the d'Aulaires. Their work is incredible. I would also humbly submit the work of Ruth Sanderson, who really should publish a book of her LOTR illustrations.
I haven't read Ordway's book yet but I've been meaning to! Also, I didn't know Ruth Sanderson had done LOTR illustrations! I love her. Going to go look them up!
They're on her website (Golden Wood Studio). I think the map is my favorite!
Oh my goodness her whole website is a treasure trove. Thank you for knowing about these things! 😂
It all started when I was trying to get a copy of her book about her art, Golden Dreams, for less than $400 (what it was going for on Ebay), and then I found what felt like fairyland! :)
Came here to say this exactly. Excellent book right in this vein.
This is wonderful! And so helpful because I would have no idea where to start with preparing children for Lord of the Rings. Actually, I need to do my own remedial reading! I've never heard of Mio, My Son, even though I loved Pippi Longstocking as a child. The Little Grey Men and The Princess and the Goblin are some of my recent reads that it was so fun to see on this list!
Elizabeth, I think I found The Little Grey Men through you! That one and Mio, My Son and the D'aulaires are all NYRB Kids reprints. You always know you're in for a good time with their books! And I did debate whether to add an addendum stating that this list doesn't just have to be for kids. It was inspired by a conversation with my adult brother about stories that ought to be read before Tolkien, and he told me to send him a list if I ever came up with one 😄
I love how this came about! Totally agree about NYRB. I’ve got these down on my list to look for at my local bookstore. 😍 I think I learned about Little Grey Men from Slightly Foxed! I also loved your paragraph early in about the conversations books have when we pick them up and read. 👏🏻
Ahh Slightly Foxed--always full of treasures! And yes, once you start reading the Great Books, the joys of reading multiply unto themselves!
I recently read aloud Mio, My Son to my 2 youngest daughters and loved it! I copied down several quotations from it and am considering writing something about it - we'll see. I'm glad you mention it here. It's well worth reading.
Oh I'd love to read your thoughts about it! It's extraordinary--very Christological even though Lindgren wasn't religious (that I know of). I read she wrote after her father passed away.
There's a beautiful essay about it on plough: https://www.plough.com/en/topics/community/family-corner/love-loss-and-eucatastrophe#!