January 2022 -- Conflict, Survival, Peace, and Hope

                                      The Village of Gont on Earthsea by Ed Savage                       

 

                         Acts of Imagination 

"A great writer of fiction both creates — through acts of imagination, through language that feels inevitable, through vivid forms — a new world, a world that is unique, individual; and responds to a world, the world the writer shares with other people but is unknown or mis-known by still more people, confined in their worlds: call that history, society, what you will."

 

Excerpted from At the Same Time: Essays and Speeches by Susan Sontag 

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Ursula Le Guin  -- the Formative Years

Ursula Le Guin was a child, 5 years old, when Black Sunday occurred. The great depression with thousands of the US workforce unemployed, was also 5 years old. Black Sunday was so named when an enormous cloud of topsoil, three million tons of it, darkened the sky as it blew over the Great Plains. An exodus of thousands of desperate farm families left -- with many going west. In one year alone, 86,000 people migrated to California.

 

Ursula was 10 when Hitler's military introduced the world to blitzkrieg, invading Poland and the low countries, destroying lives, hope. and everything in their path. Total war in Europe followed. She was 12 when the Japanese, without warning, attacked Pearl Harbor and the USA went to war. She was 15 when atomic bombs obliterated Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Both Japan and Germany surrendered in 1945. Stalin continued expanding Russian territory and influence, dominating Poland and much of Europe including Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and the Baltic countries. Russia developed the atomic bomb and the Cold War(1947-1991) followed. 

She grew up in Berkeley, California, the daughter of Theodora and Alfred Kroeber, cultural anthropologists, who were both advocates for native Americans; both were involved in raising awareness of mistreatment and genocide. Ursula was a brilliant student, and grew up in a supportive family. She graduated from Radcliffe college, had a very good  marriage (1953) to historian Charles Le Guin, and raised her three children as a devoted mother. Her writing career of nearly 60 years was marked by originality, brilliance, courage, and a powerful moral sense.

The Kroeber house in Berkeley.
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Fantasy Isn't Factual But It's True

"For fantasy is true, of course. It isn't factual, but it's true. Children know that. Adults know it too and that's precisely why many of them are afraid of fantasy. They know that its truth challenges, even threatens, all that is false, all that is phony, unnecessary, and trivial in the life they have let themselves be forced into living. They are afraid of dragons because they are afraid of freedom." Quoted from Ursula K. Le Guin on Terri Windling's Myth & Moor 

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"Le Guin, more than Tolkien, has raised fantasy into high literature, for our time". Harold Bloom: Bloom's Modern Critical Reviews

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There is Hope in Ursula Le Guin's Trilogy Annals of the Western Shore

 

Ursula Le Guin returned to Earthsea  with the publication of Gifts (2004), the first book in what would become a trilogy: Annals of the Western Shore. These are totally different stories, resonating with similar themes: Voices (2006) and Power (2007). Certain key characters reappear in all three books. The major themes found in this trilogy are relevant in today's world. They include: power and its abuses; coming of age and identity; the power of story; fear, hope, slavery, and freedom. 

 

Parallels to the hardships and struggles of mankind through the centuries are found throughout the trilogy. 

 

Philip Pullman, in an interview once said that "every single religion that has a monotheistic god ends up by persecuting other people and killing them because they don't accept him." This type of persecution took place in Voices, the second book in the trilogy, where a militaristic desert tribe has made a brutal conquest of the people of Aland. Many events call to mind the jihadists of today. They also recall the brutal religious wars in Europe over the centuries as well as the crusades.

 

 

Orrec, a gifted storyteller/scholar appears in all three books in pivotal roles accompanied by Cyr, a fascinating woman companion who communicates with animals including her half-lion. The significance of story -- of words, ideas, history --  is hugely important to the events and characters in all three books. 

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Voices

Russ Allbery is a systems administrator, software developer, humanist, blogger, and an avid reader. He has written first class reviews of the Annals of the Western Shore trilogy. They are posted on his site (see links below) the Eyrie. Here is an excerpt from his review of Voices.

"As often seems to be the case with the best of Le Guin, I have a hard time putting my finger on why this book touched me so deeply. She has a quiet, deft touch with characters, a way of filling them with surprising details and moments where the reader can't help but respect them. . . The pacing is excellent, and even moments of conversation and introspection maintain the forward momentum of the plot. It's a book where I could trust the author and settle into the flow of the book without second-guessing where it was going."

LINK: Russ Allbery's Review of Voices

LINK: Russ Allbery's Review of Gifts.

LINK: Russ Allbery's review of Powers 

LINK: Profile Russ Allbery

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Powers

The central protagonist in Powers , the third book in Le Guin' s Annals of the Western Shore trilogy is Gavir, a brilliant young slave. His painful and courageous odyssey, ultimately brings him to a state where free men and women live and where learning and morality are valued.

The story is told by Gavir who survives brutal events, including the murder of his  dear sister, which shatters his very being. He endures near death, and  a series of experiences that test him. He evolves and grows, and seeking self knowledge, returns to a large area of lakes, reeds, and marshland. He and his sister were kidnapped from this area, where the people are physically like him: dark skinned, curly-haired, and short. There are also several who are like Gavir --  endowed with exceptional memories and psychic abilities.

His courage and enhanced self-knowledge take him through a perilous life journey to freedom and a fulfilling new life. He becomes part of the extended family of Orrec and Cyr, major characters throughout the trilogy.

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We like to think we live in daylight, but half the world is always dark, and fantasy, like poetry, sparks the language of the night.

 

 Ursula K. Le Guin

 

The Earthsea design is by Ruth Robbins

 

 

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Saving Buried and Meaningful Children's Books

Jack Zipes continues on his quest to save, and publish through Little Mole and Honey Bear (and others), lost but meaningful and engaging children's books.

Two of his latest books are: The Original Bambi: The Story of a Life in the Forest by Felix Salten (Princeton U Press) and Tistou, The Boy with the Green Fingers of Peace (Little Mole and Honey Bear). 

Tistou is classic story of a boy with a magic green thumb by the highly regarded French author Mourice Druon (Prix Goncourt). . . "Tistou (1957) stands as the unexpected flower he cultivated just for children."

Zipes brought the Original Bambi back to life with his own translation.  The forward of the book is a biographical saga by Zipes of Felix Salten's difficult life in troubled Europe. Before the Bambi story is told, the following Translator's Note appears:" A Word of Warning before You Enter the Forest:

Bambi is a sad but truthful novel. It was never intended for children. Unfortunately, the little ones—not to mention their parents—have been fed a diluted version in film and numerous books. Salten, a brilliant Austrian journalist and lover of animals, was also a dedicated hunter, a killer of deer and other harmless beasts. His novel Bambi, written after World War I, is an allegory about the weak and powerless in the world. This story has great implications for the development of humanity in our conflicted world. I was overwhelmed by Salten’s dilemmas as I translated his work and hope that I have done it justice." Jack Zipes, Minneapolis, June 7, 2021.

Photo of Jack Zipes courtesy Los Angeles Review of Books.

 

Here is a link to an excellent Guardian review by Donna Ferguson: Bambi: cute, lovable, vulnerable ... or a dark parable of antisemitic terror?

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“Many a book is like a key to unknown chambers within the castle of one's own self.” Franz Kafka

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The Unicorn in the Garden by James Thurber

"Once upon a sunny morning a man who sat in a breakfast nook looked up from his scrambled eggs to see a white unicorn with a golden horn quietly cropping the roses in the garden. The man went up to the bedroom where his wife was still asleep and woke her. 'There's a unicorn in the garden,' he said. 'Eating roses.' She opened one unfriendly eye and looked at him.

'The unicorn is a mythical beast,' she said, and turned her back on him. . ."

 Here is a link to the rest of this story: James Thurber

Courtesy of Ursula Le Quinn via Terri Windling. The illustration is also by James Thurber.

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Exceptional Independent Animation

The Battle of San Romano

 

 

Inspired by a 15th century painting by Paolo Uccello of the

Violent battle by Florentine and Sienese armies in 1432.

Director, George Schwizgebel.

Composer, Judith Gruber-Stitzer.

Production, Studio GDS,Schwizgebel.

 

 

Link: The Battle of San Romano Tme 2.27

 

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Afternoon Class 

 

Sleep humor in the classroom.

Directed by Seoro Oh, Graduation Film, South Korea.

Sound: Blue Cap.

Music: Hyeji Jung.

 

LINK:  Afternoon Class  Time 3.50

 

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Aesop_Candles

Sailing Ship, Storm, sea and stars.
Directed by Mattis Dovier.
Music/Sound Adrien Pallot.
Production By Remembers (an ensemble).

Link: Aesop Candles Time 1.37

 

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Why Am I ?

Here is a review by Story Wraps 

"This book is wonderful and concludes that you are perfect just as you are. No matter your size, shape, colour or unique qualities... you are mighty fine. What a great story to share and talk about with kids whether they be your own or in a classroom environment. Everyone needs to be validated, accepted and loved for who they were created to be. Everyone has value and worth just by being themselves. I love the illustrations and the positive message that will make kids ( and adults ) happy puppies just like Floyd. I highly recommend this book." 

 

 

Above is an excerpt from one of the many 5 Star reviews on Amazon for this joyful book. Story Wraps is an outstanding source of children's book reviews.

 

 

Ari Wulff created this book as well as all artwork.

 

 

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Animal Books Transcend Color

Animal books, from Aesop to Peter Rabbit, from The Cat in the Hat to Babar, from the Grimm's Hans the Hedgehog to the world of Mother Westwind, animal books are for children of all races, religions, and nationalities. And now we add Floyd's story to this mix .

 

 

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The Last Friday in February is Multicultural Children’s Book Day 

Our Mission: "To raise awareness for children’s books that celebrate diversity by getting more of these books into classrooms and libraries. This non-profit also strives to shine the spotlight on the diverse books and authors that often get overlooked by mainstream publishing and media . . .During Multicultural Children’s Book Day, we would like to focus on bringing attention to all of the amazing children’s books available that celebrate diversity."  Here is a link: MCCBD

Photo Courtesy NYMetroParents

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World Read Aloud Day is Feb.2, 2022

LitWorld founded World Read Aloud Day in 2010 to celebrate the power of reading aloud and to advocate for literacy as a foundational human right. Now, World Read Aloud Day is a global movement involving millions of readers, writers, and listeners from all around the globe!

Visit the World Read Aloud Day Activity Hub for virtual activities and read-alouds you can enjoy year-round, and join us for the next World Read Aloud Day on February 2, 2022 as we celebrate the joy and power of reading and sharing stories!

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"Fiction is the lie that tells the truth.
We all have an obligation to daydream.
We have an obligation to imagine . . .
Individuals make the future and they do that by imagining that things can be different."  Neil Gaiman   The plate is from Earthsea.

 

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Dog Rescue Charity Linked To Lara Trump Funneling Money Into Donald Trump’s Pocket

 Dog Ranch Rescue -- Where does the money go?

A dog rescue charity with links to Lara Trump has spent as much as $1.9 million at former President Donald Trump’s properties over the last seven years and will drop an additional quarter-million at his Mar-a-Lago country club this weekend. . . Reported by Christopher Reeves, Daily Koz. The photo is of Mar-a Lago. Also: From an article in the HUFFPOST on March 13, 2021 by S.V. Date 

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The Real Thing .. Healing and Supporting with The Human/Canine Bond

The Canine Therapy Corps, based in Chicago Illinois, has approximately 65 volunteer teams working in a wide range of programs across the Chicago Metropolitan Area.

The variety of services they are providing is quite wonderful. They include: autism; children who have suffered sexual abuse; children with severe emotional and behavioral problems; people trying to overcome chemical dependencies; unaccompanied immigrant minors; hospital patients of all ages; veterans with PTSD and depression; and more. The Canine Therapy Corps makes an ongoing difference and has eased pain for thousands of people.  

Here is a link to:  Canine Therapy Dogs

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Save the Children -- Working for Humanity

"Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm.

We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share. In 2015, we reached over 62 million children directly through our and our partners' work."

 Here is a link to their excellent video on violence in children's lives -- an international problem.

Here is a link to their website: Save the Children.

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The Planet of the Dogs

Out in space, on the other side of the sun, is the Planet Of The Dogs. Dogs have always lived there in peace and happiness. One day long ago, the council of the elder dogs learned that there were problems on Earth, the Planet of the People. Many people had forgotten how to love and had become mean and greedy. The good people of Green Valley were threatened by the warrior tribes of Stone City. The council realized that they needed help. This is the story of the first time dogs came to planet earth to teach people about love and to bring peace to Green Valley.

 

"Planet Of The Dogs may be a fairy tale, but it gives us hope that peace may someday be restored on earth through kinder and gentler means. Dog lovers and those who love a nice story will really enjoy this book." Reviewer: Alice Berger, Berger's Book Reviews

 

We have free reader copies of the Planet Of The Dogs series for therapy dog organizations, individual therapy dog owners, librarians and teachers . . . simply send us an email at [email protected] and we will send you the books. 

 

The illustration from Planet Of The Dogs is by Stella Mustanoja McCarty.

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“A person can learn a lot from a dog, even a loopy one like ours. Marley taught me about living each day with unbridled exuberance and joy, about seizing the moment and following your heart..."

--John Grogan, Marley and Me, Life and Love With the World's Worst Dog

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