[Quiet Man Cometh]

18. Frederick, Leo Lionni

Something a little different here, as this is a child's book. I actually didn't like it all that much as a kid, I preferred Swimmy. It's my sister's copies of both that I still have around. I never really thought much about Frederick until much later, when I think I started to appreciate a little more of what the story was getting at, or maybe my brain is just thinking about it more. Habits from school and all...

I'm sure I could pull up some manner of literary reading of the thing, (Frederick is a bard; Frederick shows the impact of art on life; Frederick illustrates the need for feeling and beauty etc. in one's life along with what is practical, etc.) or Lionni's books in general, but I don't think there's any reason to bother. They're cute, and I was always fond of the artwork that resembles little pieces of construction paper.

Since the next generation is popping up around me, I've acquired a new copy of Frederick for my nephew, and am still hanging on to the old one.