The enduring power of story
Regular readers of this blog will know that my little children’s story, ‘The Littlest Star’ has been pretty busy recently. Yesterday was no exception. In the morning I travelled to the home of BBC Surrey to record an interview about the remarkable story behind the book, ready for broadcast on Sunday. I then returned to Teddington, where I live, and made sure that everything was in place for a busy night of selling the book on the town’s ‘light up for Christmas’ night. Amongst last night’s activities was an hour of reading the book in the local Waterstones branch.
The shop was busy and noisy, with a local artist and another author doing book signings alongside my little corner. The crowds flowed in constantly, including many a child waving a newly purchased light sabre, sugar-fuelled on free lollipops, and some still very excited after a visit to Father Christmas next door. Overall, I must have read the little story seven or eight times to different groups, and every time it was a reminder of the magnetic power of a read story. Here were some of the things I noticed on a chilly, heart-warming night:
- Very excitable little children who were happy to sit on the floor and be drawn in by the sound of a human voice reading a simple story.
- Older brothers and sisters with a more grown-up book in their hands, gradually lowering it as they got caught up in the Littlest Star’s adventure.
- Parents who were separated from the story corner by a bookshelf stopping and listening intently, maybe remembering a school ‘story corner’ of old.
- Other parents who sat cross-legged with their children on the floor and joined in with ‘oohs’ and ‘ahs’ at the right point to help the story come to life.
- The sheer wonder on little faces when a hidden star in an everyday object was revealed. (You’ll have to read the story to find out where it is).
- An exceptionally well-behaved golden labrador who seemed soothed by the sound of the story, and glad of a sit down.
In an age of ebooks and tablets, where advertisers would have us believe that there is nothing like watching the same HD content on a small screen to bring you together, I am pleased to report that the pleasure of a simple read story is alive and well.
