William Steig's art is wonderful but his writing is sublime. At the age of sixty, in a move to make money, he began to write for children. His most famous book is probably Shrek, the horrible ogre who lives happily ever after, because it was made into a movie. But there's Dr. DeSoto, a mouse dentist who can't refuse to treat a fox with a toothache, but must find a way not to get eaten. There's Tiffky Doofky, my son Sam's favorite, about a gentlemanly dog who's a garbage collector.
My favorite, with writing so beautiful I took it to my writing workshop when I was asked to bring in something that inspired me, is Amos and Boris.
Amos is a mouse who lives by the sea. He builds a boat, names it the Rodent, and sets sail.
Listen to this: "One night, in a phosphorescent sea, he marveled at the sight of some whales spouting luminous water; and later, lying on the deck of his boat gazing at the immense, starry sky, the tiny mouse Amos, a little speck of a living thing in the vast living universe, felt thoroughly akin to it all. Overwhelmed by the beauty and mystery of everything, he rolled over and over and right off the deck of his boat and into the sea."
At this point, Molly, age four, listening to me read, said, "Uh oh."
Just as Amos is wondering what it will be like to die and if there will be other mice in Heaven, a whale breaks the surface and looms over him. It's just like that scene in Castaway when a whale comes right up to Tom Hanks' raft to get a look at him.
When Amos tells the whale that he's not a fish but a mammal, the highest form of life, the whale replies,
"Holy clam and cuttlefish! (How I would love a reason to say, "Holy clam and cuttlefish")
I'm a mammal too! Call me Boris." And Boris agrees to take Amos home.
As they travel along they become "the closest possible friends and developed a deep admiration for one another."
Here's the part I love;
"Boris admired the delicacy, the quivering daintiness, the light touch, the small voice, the gemlike radiance of the mouse. Amos admired the bulk, the grandeur, the power, the purpose, the rich voice, and the abounding friendliness of the whale."
When they reach Amos's home they pledge to be friends forever, even though they can't be together. Amos thanks Boris and says, "If you ever need my help I'd be more than glad to give it." Boris laughs to himself, "How could that little mouse ever help me? Little as he is, he's all heart. I love him and I'll miss him terribly."
Well, the time comes, after Hurricane Yetta, when Boris desperately needs help. I won't spoil the ending for you. Give yourself a treat and go to your nearest independent bookstore and spend a happy hour in the children's department-maybe spend a few bucks there, I'm sure they'd appreciate it.
Barbara, I think William Stieg's children's books are the most witty and deeply felt of all. When I first read Amos and Boris to my daughters, I ended up bawling my eyes out and could barely finish reading it out loud.
ReplyDeleteI love your generous and engaging appreciation and, yes, as soon as we are allowed to make public excursions again I will slip into my local children's book section. One day, I suspect I'll find the words "by Barbara Swanson Sherman." (And I suspect I too will end up. oxymoronically, happily bawling my eyes out.) Luv GDuv
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