Dear readers,
My mother (hi, mom!) has embarked on a big project to digitize old family photographs this spring, so I’ve been receiving occasional text messages with images from the past like this one:
This reminded me that I have a big box in my garage with art and schoolwork from my younger days, and I thought, what would be more fun than sharing some of my finest elementary school works with you, my beloved readers?? And so, without further ado, I bring you…
I was shocked when I saw this one. It’s almost the same cover design as my first self-authored book, The Fisherman and the Whale (shown above for comparison.) Did I remember that I had made this when I was in second grade? No! Yet did I make almost the same book? Yes! My memory may be shaky but at least I’m consistent.
Whales continue to be a theme. I have a new whale book coming out in June.
The box held several more early works on the theme of conservation, which was apparently a big thing for seven-year-old me. For example:
What was cut out of the bottom of this oil spill piece, and why? Why is the oil pouring out of random spouts on the side of the boat? Alas, we’ll never know. Still, it has a lot going for it. Colorful, dramatic, ominous. Take that, pollution!
Let’s not overlook the noble “balled eagle”:
I didn’t limit myself to birds. Look at this squirrel. Every child who has seen this has told me “it looks like a fox.” I know, I know. I tell them that this species of squirrel was hunted to extinction because the tails made such great bottle brushes.
I’d never put myself in a category with R.L. Stine but nevertheless it seems that I had a thing for scary stories. Perhaps my book about spiders and other creepy crawlies or the thrills of the upcoming cave book shouldn’t come as a surprise to me or anyone else. Check out these two books:
Dragons? Zombies? Yes, please! (SPOILER: at the end of There’s Something Under the Bed the monster is taken to the veterinarian for a checkup.)
In this third grade story, Skeleton Dog, a freak accident nearly results in the girl’s death. Fortunately she is rescued by a stray dog with Lassie-like instincts, and in return the dog finds his forever home. One student who saw this at a school visit recently shouted out “I like the blood!” Thanks, kid. Did I mention that I typed this with a typewriter?
It’s a delight to look at all these things, years later! I got a kick out of going through the box, and have to thank my mom for saving everything. Do you still have your old childhood work? What does it tell you about yourself? Let me know in the comments!
Until next time,
Jessica
Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, please consider supporting me by subscribing or sharing this post with a friend.
No posts
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.