Europe, Brexit and children’s literature

I think it was this morning  that this post finally came into some sort of focus for me. I believe, very much, in children’s literature and the ability for it to tell stories that cannot be told in any other way. I also believe that sometimes we need literature, books, to be our poles in times when there’s nothing else to hang on. It’s an airy, intangible statement to make, but it’s true. Stories give us hope. Storying gives us hope. You only have to look at the context behind some of the great pieces of literature; the stories of authors and of the writing, to find the great hope that lies behind the act of writing words down on a page and believing, knowing, needing them to be read one day.

(A friend over lunch: I feel like I’m not wanted here)

I voted Remain on Thursday and ever since, I’ve felt a little twist of discomfort in my stomach, a great unease at the state of my country. I am English. I am British. I am European. I am a citizen of the world, of the worlds. I have a foothold in Narnia, a foothold in the Chalet School, and I’m proudly a fan of esoteric English boarding school stories until the day I die. None of those identities are mutually exclusive, nor are they distinct. I voted remain.

(A parent on the bus: how do I tell my child about something that I don’t understand?)

These are some of the resources I have come across over the last few days which may be of assistance to those of you who have or are working with young people and children. Sita Brahmachari and the Guardian have been collating books to ‘help young people find hope and strength in these unsettled times’. Nosy Crow posted a wonderful blog post on their stance post-Brexit. In light of the nature of the voting demographics articles like this top 10 list of political books to inspire action or this Goodreads list of Political YA fiction might be of interest. This storify from last year on political reads might also be of interest.

(A friend on Facebook : this was my home)

(And here, I blog in answer : it still is, you are needed, you are wanted, you are home).