“Why Nursery Rhymes?”
Someone asked me this the other day, “Why Nursery Rhymes? If you write all types of stuff, what makes your primary focus nursery rhymes?”
So it got me thinking, “Why?” and I immediately flashed back to that day when I decided that I would become an author someday. My little 8-year-old self, so carefree, limitless, curious, and excited over everything the world had in store. That little girl had such a spark, a spark that all children should have. She radiated optimism and light. Everything was poetry and songs and just letting the world know that there is GOOD in it. She was so happy in the moment.
I believe all young children deserve that joy. Whether it be caused by laughter, a bonding moment with a parent, time shared with friends, something new learned…. and I realized that I can help bring children joy by means of poems and songs and rhymes. Apparently my 8-year-old self was on to something.
As I created each of the Nursery Rhymes for Modern Times I began to see this amazing bridge being built, a bridge that connects tradition and today.
I do believe in the beauty of tradition – the stories, and rhymes, and songs shared down through the generations. The memories of grandparents reciting the words and singing the tunes we grew to know so well over the years (even though we may not have understood them at all, and oftentimes still don’t!) But they take us back in our mind to a simpler time. A place that may give us peace and comfort.
I also do believe in the beauty of today – the amazing strides we have taken as a human race. How far we have come in the past 200-300 years since many original nursery rhymes were created. How fortunate we are to be in the here and now.
And this is why I feel that bringing those two worlds together is such a beautiful thing. Holding tight to tradition while at the same time opening our arms to something new.
I’m so happy to build that “bridge” for today’s children.
I want it to evoke joy in the hearts and minds of children and adults as they experience this bridge. The bridge is the journey.
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy writing all types of genres and for all ages. But right now, this is what I’m most passionate about. Making children smile, one rhyme at a time! And that is “why”. <3
Leave a Reply