by Colin Davies
It's quite a funny thing to say “I write for children” when to be honest, I actually write for me. Even though I enjoy 90% of a Stephen King novel as much as the next man (or woman), it is the stories that are reported as being written for children that I have always found the most intriguing.This might be because once you cut out the swearing and any sexual reference (unless you're writing for teenagers, but I'll talk about the dangers of dating a vampire while dick-teasing the local werewolf another day) you can pretty much write about whatever you want.
It's like total escapism. Jumping through holes that take you to the magical yet sinister lands; secret platforms to catch trains to mystical boarding schools; making a complete mess while cooking after you've been told not to; making more of a mess while trying to clean up the first mess; trying to keep the carers of the children's home away so they don't know what you've done.
Spike Milligan used to write children's poetry and published a number of books. Roald Dahl wrote with a dark yet exciting style to entertain his granddaughter, while writing a James Bond script (You Only Live Twice) and helping to invent a life saving artificial heart valve (WRT Valve). Even J. R. R. Tolkien had a fascination with old nursery rhymes that had been handed down through the ages.
So, as I was saying, I don't see these as children's writers. I view them as writers of high imagination, with the skills to create images in my head by feeding me just the right amount of information that my own imagination can use to create the worlds with such vivid colours and smells and textures that I believe in them wholeheartedly.
From the nonsense
Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!(Lewis Carroll)
To the silly
A hundred hair scavengers,Sitting down to lunch.Gobble, gobble,Glub, glub,Munch, munch, munch.(Spike Milligan)
Basically, texts advertised as children's literature are nothing more than writings that adults will enjoy reading to their little one.
Nooks and Crannies
Look inside a Nook,In the shadows of the wallSee if you can find a CrannyWho won't do you harm at all
But do not disturb, The Slinth on guard.With big sharp teeth,And bite, real hard.
Or place your handon a slumbered WozatWho's skin oozes slime,Under it's tiny top hat.
Or Fix the gazeOf a hiding OodareThat'll take the sight from your eyeswith it's granite like stare
And avoid the attentionsOf the sneaky AbgroblitWith his sticky fingersWill steal from your pocket
And never let your guard downAgainst a Bull nosed SnerrWith a stench like rotting toe nailsSo you'll know that it's there.
Stay clear of nasties,Avoid critters as you look.For the harmless Crannies,Under shadows, in a Nook.
Colin Davies is the author of the successful children's book, Mathamagical: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mathamagical-Colin-Davies/dp/1905949006
