Better with age...

Like most book shelves, we have many loved and cherished books. Some new and some are very old. We have a green leather bond book brought to the US on the Queen Mary and a new favorite:  Goodnight iPad by Ann Droyd. 

One particular children's book is looking really shabby. The spine is broken, the cover held together by layers of tape and with tattered and dog eared pages. Most of the torn (but always repaired) pages are soft and fading with fraying edges. 

It's beaten up to say the least.  But it's not beaten up due to abuse or neglect but because the pages have been turned and crumpled by chubby little fingers over and over again. Little ones anxiously reading (or pretending to read) the story again and again. 

Why don't we just get another book you ask? Why keep repairing the really beat up one?

This book is loved and treasured. It's worn and tattered cover has been affectionately and repeatedly repaired.  Every time I see this book or we read it for the umpteenth time, it's a tribute to the author and in this case the illustrator as well. A beat up and worn book is the greatest compliment! To have your book read over and over and enjoyed by all age levels is the ultimate literary achievement! 

Sometimes in the day to day process of writing, we may feel disconnected and caught up in the burden of writing and deadlines. If you're feeling down in the dumps, reconnect with your dreams. Remember the books that influenced you. The books you loved and cherished. Remember the many times you read, absorbed, studied, appreciated those books and then excitingly shared them with your friends and loved ones. Remember why you love reading and writing. 

Thank you Caralyn and Mark Buehner for crafting such an amazing book! We can all hope our writing will be cherished and loved in the same way some day!