What's in a name?
Feathers & Foxgloves explained....in part
The name I’ve chosen for my publication — “Feathers & Foxgloves” — is a phrase lifted from a page of my children’s book Tom Fox & The Apple Pie, in which young Tom, skipping out on garden chores, sneaks away to the fair where he manages to procure an apple pie. Starting home however, he stops in his tracks when he suddenly realizes he faces a major dilemma — namely, how to share the pie with his whole big family & still get a decent-sized taste for himself.…
I sometimes wonder if Tom Fox might make the Banned Books list by attracting the attention of those who want to challenge our freedom to read, and most particularly, childrens’ freedom to read when it comes to choice and availability of reading material. Does the story of Tom Fox encourage disobedience? Because instead of suffering appropriate punishment for skipping out on the assigned chores of the day, Tom thoroughly enjoys his escapade — and when he returns home, is sent off to bed, happily unperturbed by the imposed penalty of his supper being withheld.
In any case, I conclude this post with another joyous challenge to authority, appearing on the dedication page of Catch Me & Kiss Me & Say It Again.
So fun to read this. Such wonderful books. We have to keep promoting freedom to read in these times.
I heartily approve! Some of the very best and classic children's stories involve children misbehaving and getting away with it. Beatrix Potter's books are sympathetic to Peter Rabbit and his family, who defy both their mother and Mr. McGregor in various ways. How about Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are? Even the Three Little Kittens are naughty. Let's face it, kids LOVE to read about naughty children and the consequences of their actions, good or bad.