Because everyone loves a good story
The Cup: A Good Friday Meditation
On this Good Friday, I’ve chosen to re-post a poem I wrote for Past Watchful Dragons in 2018. Since I found it unfamiliar after five years, I thought it may be a bit fuzzy in your memory as well. Either way, meditating on Christ’s suffering is always helpful.
If you’re looking for even more Good Friday (and Easter) beauty, please check out my earlier post about Andrew Peterson’s “Resurrection Letters” albums. They’re deep, lovely, and so helpful in considering our humble, mighty Savior.
Have a blessed Easter, friends!
The Cup
the cup—
as deep as time, yet pre-creation filled
with anger, blood-thick, brimming,
breaking holy heart with plans for man—
cup-fillers—and for One, the Son,
who could not add a drop but did not stop
His dust-designing, Spirit-breathing,
choice-allowing plan to rescue
man.
the Man of Sorrows, Rescuer, foreplanned
Cup-Drinker, staggered by the thought of
fellowship lost with Father—brief eternity—
yearns for mercy, any other way to save
merciless murderers, friendless fiends who
scream for blood on wooden beams.
“Father, let this wrath-cup pass,
yet not My will…” the answer, only
silence.
willing, ready, joy-pursuing,
mercy-laden Lamb, Messiah, stands
and grasps with piercéd hands
the cup of wrath
alone.
then drinking down unmellowed fury,
staggering, certain, undeserving Sacrifice
sufficing holy plan’s demand by
quaffing final dregs and drops, ‘til
righteous wrath is satisfied with
“it is finished!”
my bitter drink exchanged for pain and blood.
His bloody death exchanged for mercy, free and full.
the Father’s mercy calls me, bids me daily look
inside the wrath-cup Christ took, drank, and drained—
forever
empty.
Harry Potter, Personally: Relationships Part 1
Fun fact: there are well over 700 characters in the Harry Potter series. Some sources tally it at 772 if you count those mentioned only once or twice. I’d love to see Rowling’s database for keeping all those characters straight.
In addition to the storyline, the characters are a big part of what makes the series enjoyable and relatable. Within that network of personalities there’s an abundance of friends, enemies, drama, and romance. I’ve split this post in half, so today we’ll talk about friends and enemies, and we’ll save drama and romance for next time. Want to know if our favorite characters match up? Read on!
FRIENDS
Character Growth
Rowling did a great job of keeping her characters distinct, consistent, and (apart from the magic) believable. One of the best parts of the series is seeing characters who grow and develop as the series progresses. My favorite example is Neville Longbottom. He starts as an insecure, bumbling first year, yet even then we see a hint of the bravery to come when he confronts Harry, Ron, and Hermione about a decision he considers reckless. As Neville grows, he remains abysmal at potions but finds that he’s good at herbology. He practices his spells harder than anyone else. By the end of the books we’re presented with a Neville who shows leadership, skill, loyalty, and courage.
I think his development is my favorite because it was gradual and well-foreshadowed. I’d contrast this with Ginny’s personality change in book five. I enjoyed her more in the later books, but it was hard to think of her as the same person. Maybe some character manipulation was required to make her the romantic interest she’d become.
Close Friends
Harry, Ron, and Hermione grow as well, but I wouldn’t necessarily say they change. They’re the same at the end as they are at the beginning, but more so. Hermione is smarter and more relatable but still a bit of a know-it-all. Ron is occasionally more confident but still pretty insecure. Harry is more determined and selfless, but he’s shown those qualities all along. While the Big Three don’t have dramatic character shifts like Neville or Ginny, I think their consistency is even more believable.
Harry’s best friends are Ron and Hermione, of course, but his friend set expands with the inception of Dumbledore’s Army. It’s a nice change when the books begin including Luna, Neville, and the rest of the DA in the action, partly because we get to see Harry work in a team and grapple with more group-related issues. From a literary standpoint, this keeps the books from feeling repetitive or stagnant. Well done, Rowling.
Mentors
While Harry has loads of teachers, he has only a few mentors. Remus Lupin is a patient teacher and a wise counselor. His level-headed, unassuming nature is a good balance for Harry’s fear and confusion. Sirius Black is a father (and brother) figure to Harry—something that Harry desperately wants. While he may not have been the ideal role model for Harry, Sirius still acts as an anchor and a reference point even after he’s gone. Harry’s greatest mentor is Dumbledore, of course, but I’m saving my thoughts about him for the next section.
My Favorite Characters
Of all the hundreds of characters to choose from, I have three very clear favorites. First is Harry’s most important influence, Albus Dumbledore. I absolutely love him. His polite deference even to enemies, his understated sarcasm and wit, his gentle tone and selflessness, his weakness for candies—I could go on. He is so well-written. (And yes, of course I consider the movies’ replacement Dumbledore to be a travesty.) Suffice it to say, Albus was one of the most enjoyable characters to read and one of the hardest to let go of. Even though the last book casts aspersions on his motives and choices, I think the ending justifies him. It shows him to be imperfect but humble enough to admit it and apologize to Harry. We all need mentors like Dumbledore.
But at the very top of my favorites is the dynamic duo of Fred and George Weasley, the twins who are always up to no good. No one beats their humor, mischief, comedic timing, fierce loyalty, and overall energy. Their replies are hilarious, and their schemes are so gutsy. They know they’re poor, but it doesn’t eat at them like it does Ron. They make friends, play Quidditch, ask out girls, wreak havoc, and start up a joke shop with complete aplomb. The movies could never do them justice without quadrupling their screen time. I wish I could read seven books about just the twins and their capers. Frankly, I’m not sure I’ve forgiven Rowling for how she treated them in the end.
ENEMIES
Small Fries
Harry has plenty of friends, but he’s got just as many enemies. Dudley and the rest of the Dursleys are a constant thorn in Harry’s side at the beginning of every book. Their neglect and mistreatment of him shape him into the tolerant, resilient boy he becomes, but there’s no doubt the Dursleys belong in the enemy category.
The animosity between Harry and Draco Malfoy is a big deal at the beginning of the series, too. Draco is more sophisticated than Dudley (really, a rock would be more sophisticated than Dudley), but he’s equally spiteful. Draco is always looking for ways to make Harry look bad or to humiliate Ron and Hermione. This tension intensifies throughout the series, but as Harry grows, so do his enemies.
Big Fish
One of Harry’s bigger problems comes from Severus Snape. The potions master loathes Harry from the beginning, and his constant needling must have felt like having a wicked, powerful Uncle Vernon at school. I know the end is supposed to justify him and transform our perspective on his motivations, but quite frankly it wasn’t enough for me. Nothing could excuse his behavior toward Harry. Yes, Snape was talented, mistreated, and brave, but he was nevertheless a jerk. You won’t catch me wearing any “Always” merch.
And finally, Harry’s greatest enemy: Voldemort. From the time he was a year old, Harry was marked out by Voldemort as a target and a threat. A couple of the books don’t revolve around Voldemort’s ascension, but most do. As the plot thickens in the last three books, Harry realizes that his fate is inextricably linked with the Dark Lord’s. He goes through the various stages of grief, finally arriving at acceptance. In the end, it’s Harry who has the more powerful weapon: love. A bit cheesy, perhaps, but still good for kids to read.
The Last Enemy
On the tombstone of Harry’s parents is the Bible verse, “The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” There are enemies to be fought, evil to expose and overcome, and yet the last enemy will always be death. Rowling’s incorporation of this theme is powerful and yet lacking the full depth of the truth. Sadly, you’ll have to wait until the final post for more thoughts on that because I’m signing off for today.
Mischief managed.
Harry Potter, Personally: Storyline
How much of the full series’ plot did J.K. Rowling have in mind when she first began writing Harry Potter? Quite a bit, from what I’ve read. Even so, I’m sure the storyline progressed as she went along. That’s a lot of planning and a lot of work! What makes these stories so readable (and re-readable) despite some common concerns about them? Read on to find out.
Creative, yet Relatable
“Harry’s Wonderous World” isn’t just the name of an iconic bit of film score by John Williams. (By the way, can we admit that the Harry Potter movies would be a mere fraction of their current coolness if Williams hadn’t written the themes for the first several films?) “Wonderous” is a description of the world Harry finds himself part of on his eleventh birthday. Different powers, places, creatures, currency—everything is new and fantastic. He goes to school in a castle, learns to use a magic wand, encounters mythical creatures, and hunts down the most notorious villain of the age. Seems a far cry from our reality, doesn’t it?
But a story that was completely unrelatable would be too discombobulating to read. We’d feel adrift in a sea of confusion. All the best books, even those with wild settings and fanciful beings, have relatable elements. Sure, Bilbo is a hobbit, but we relate to his desire for comfort and safety. Yes, Jabba is a Hutt, but he’s also like every other mobster bully. And Harry’s wonderous world is still a world of school assignments, hormonal angst, and relational drama.
Familiar Rhythms and Relationships
When I read the books, I feel nostalgic thinking about the rhythms of a school year. I love the beginning-of-term orientation, spooky Halloween celebrations, cozy Christmas breaks, pre-exam jitters, and end-of-year relief. Despite the magical setting, readers are sure to see themselves at Hogwarts because of its familiar school calendar.
In addition to the schedule, the relationships also feel relatable. The books aren’t “girly” by any means, but I found them to be replete with crushes, secrets, jealousy, an fights. Honestly, those parts of the story are hard for me to enjoy as an adult, but that’s ok. Adults aren’t the primary audience. While I was never too dramatic even as a student (a fact for which my parents have remained grateful), the books’ drama probably would have been more tolerable a few decades ago. But regardless of enjoyment, the relational dynamics mostly ring true to a student’s experience. And, to make up for the crushes and such, the books also feature training in magic, figuring out clues, learning practical skills, monsters, gross humor, and plenty of fighting. There’s something for everyone.
Standalone Books in a Series
Even if you haven’t read the books or watched the movies, you probably know the gist of the story. Harry, a seemingly-ordinary boy, discovers that he’s actually a wizard. He goes to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry where he learns more about magic, his own past, and Voldemort, the evil wizard who killed his parents and tried to kill Harry as a baby. Each book could be a standalone story with its own crisis and resolution, but they’re obviously intended to be part of a series, and not finishing will leave you with unanswered questions.
At the beginning of each book, Rowling refreshes the reader’s memory about the characters, places, and previous context. While thorough recaps are actually one of my pet peeves (like preparing for a test only to have the teacher announce that it’s open book), I can see why she did it. The books were published with anywhere from one to three years between, so readers may have gotten fuzzy on some of the details. Kids who want to grow along with Harry by reading one book per year will benefit from the recaps too.
The books are structured like 6 separate battles that culminate in one final battle to end the war. After readers have followed Harry and his friends through the books, they will agonize over the choices and outcomes in the end. But after finishing the last page, I bet they’ll be tempted to reach for The Sorcerer’s Stone and experience it all over again.
Part of a Bigger Story
So why, despite the fact that the series is over 4,000 pages long, have so many people read these books over and over? For many reasons, but I’ll just suggest two. First, we like Harry because he’s a nice, relatable guy. He’s just an average kid—an underdog, really. Instead of letting fame go to his head, he chooses to associate with other underdogs. He consistently chooses what’s right over what’s easy, but he doesn’t do it in a priggish sort of way. He cares about others and does what he can to protect them, even when it costs him everything. He’s got a great friend set, too, which makes the books fun to read.
Second, we all want to feel like we’re part of a bigger story, and Harry Potter offers this to us. “What the fascination with Harry Potter really illustrates,” writes Chuck Colson, “is what C. S. Lewis meant by Sehnsucht—the longing for the mysterious, the wonderful, the other-worldly that our daily experience does not satisfy.” While Rowling wrote the Harry Potter series with the Christian storyline in mind, I wouldn’t classify them as Christian books. But they can sharpen a desire for books that are, like Narnia, The Lord of the Rings, and The Princess and the Goblin. Christian books like this “not only recognize this yearning for wonder and magic,” Colson continues, “they also reflect a well-developed understanding of the majesty and mystery of God.” While Harry Potter can be fun and even edifying, it can also be a door into more valuable literature—books that not only pique the longing for the eternal but point readers to the longing’s Satisfaction as well. Enjoy Harry, but for heaven’s sake, don’t stop there. Reach for Lewis next.
Next time we’ll look at what makes Harry Potter’s characters so special, so don’t miss out!
Harry Potter, Personally: Concerns
Some people feel convinced that Harry Potter is a satanic series. Others see Christian themes and symbolism woven throughout the books. The majority of Potterheads, however, just enjoy them as good stories.
Wherever you fall on this spectrum, please bear in mind that I’m not out to convince you one way or the other. I’m not getting commission from Rowling (I wish) or from anyone else. I’m just sharing my opinions about what makes the books great and even edifying for me. If you’re not comfortable reading the series for whatever reason, I give you my full blessing to skip the next few blog posts and the whole Harry Potter series. A life without Harry can still be a life well lived. (Please note I would not say the same about a life bereft of Lewis and Tolkien.)
So, without further ado, let’s look at a few common concerns about Harry Potter.
“Harry Potter is written by a real witch.”
As far as I can tell, Rowling isn’t a witch, Wiccan, Satanist, occultist, or anything else creepy. Actually, she’s a member of the Church of Scotland, a branch of reformed Protestantism. When asked, she identifies herself as a Christian. She regularly attended her local church while writing the series and ensured her daughter was baptized into the church. I don’t know if she still attends church regularly, but I doubt that she’s joined a Satanist cult since then either.
Does all this make her a born-again, Bible-believing, Jesus-loving Christ follower? Not necessarily. Jesus says that the way to heaven is by repenting of our sinful hearts and accepting his perfect life and forgiveness on our behalf. The fruit of this is a life that reflects the truth of the Bible and the love of God. Anyone who has experienced this is a true Christ follower, including J.K. Rowling. Anyone whose life does not reflect these realities has not yet come to know Christ, including J.K. Rowling. But to answer the question of whether she’s an actual witch, I think the evidence points to a resounding, “No.”
“Harry Potter promotes witchcraft.”
Rowling may not be a witch, but do her books promote witchcraft? This is tricky because I believe it depends more on the reader than the books. Some people are more susceptible to the draw of the occult than others are. While one person could read the series and come away with no desire to dabble in magic, another person could have their curiosity sparked as a result of what they read. Believe it or not, C.S. Lewis knew his own propensity toward the occult and chose his entertainment accordingly. It’s a mark of maturity to recognize your weaknesses and avoid your triggers. That’s why I don’t work at Krispy Kreme.
But in general, the magic in Harry Potter is not the same as witchcraft. Christian thinker Charles Colson clarified that the magic in the books is “purely mechanical, as opposed to occultic. That is, Harry and his friends cast spells, read crystal balls, and turn themselves into animals—but they don’t make contact with a supernatural world.”
Mechanical versus Occult Magic
This distinction is important. Real occultists have no power of their own but must tap into the demon world. Remember the story of Doctor Faustus from the mid-1500’s? Faustus sells his soul to Satan in exchange for 24 years of power on earth. He does have fun, but in the end he’s completely wretched when Satan drags him down to hell. Creepy? Sure. Instructive? Definitely. My point is that even the presence of real satanic forces doesn’t make this story dangerous because the theme is, “Don’t be a short-sighted idiot like Faustus.” Generally speaking, theme trumps content.
On the other hand, there’s plenty of modern entertainment that crosses the line between “mechanical magic” and actual evil. Personally, I think Marvel’s Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness is one example. Sorcery, witches, dark magic, possessions, and gore are used by the good and bad guys alike. Even the first Sherlock Holmes movie shows satanic rituals enacted by the villain and reenacted by Holmes himself, although they’re not portrayed as great life choices. In contrast, the magic in Harry Potter is portrayed as a skill that some are born with and others aren’t. Those born magical can practice to get better, but even the bad guys aren’t powered by demons. Rowling keeps a clear line between good and evil, showing good to be admirable and evil to be miserable. That’s one trait of good literature.
“Harry Potter is too mature for kids.”
With certain caveats, I would agree that Harry Potter is too mature for kids. Again, it depends on the book and the kid. The first three books, while definitely including intense moments and unsettling situations, seem appropriate for a mentally- and emotionally-mature tween or young teen. Beginning with the fourth book, however, the plot takes a mature turn and continues that way for the rest of the series. Each book portrays increasing loss, peril, and darkness.
So while the first few books may be appropriate for a tween, I wouldn’t say the same for the last three or four. A good rule of thumb is to read the books when you’re the same age as Harry. The series begins when Harry turns 11, and each successive book takes place the following year, concluding when Harry is 17. A mature 11-year-old could enjoy Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, but he should wait to read The Chamber of Secrets until he’s 12 and The Prisoner of Azkaban when he’s 13, and so on. That plan would take a lot of will power for an avid reader, but I still think it’s wise.
“Harry Potter isn’t right for my kids.”
Now this is a valid argument, and it’s what I’ve been driving at throughout this post. Just as it’s unfair to say the books are bad for everyone, it’s equally wrong to say they’re healthy for everyone. If you’re a parent who has genuinely done the research about the books and has considered the maturity and tendency of your child, then you’re fully equipped to make this decision. There are thousands of books that are as good as or better than Harry Potter that can help your child thrive. Potter isn’t a necessity.
So will I let my own kids read the books? Not for a while since they’re still toddlers, but hopefully some day we can read them together, enjoy the stories, and have great discussions. My husband and I want to raise our kids to love Jesus, seek truth in the Bible, and evaluate all of life in light of what God says. I hope they’ll grow into kids, teens, and adults who can ask themselves good questions about what they encounter in Harry Potter and all of life. “Is this true? Does this please God? Does this make me more like Jesus? What are some mistakes and false beliefs I can learn from and avoid in my own life?” These are questions we should all be asking ourselves on a regular basis.
I hope you found this post helpful. Make sure to join me next time as I discuss the storyline of Harry Potter and why the story resonates so deeply with so many. Until then, brush up on the books to avoid any spoilers!
Harry Potter, Personally
At long last I’m breaking my silence about Harry Potter.
Why haven’t I written about this groundbreaking series that I love before now? The short answer is that there’s always been so much more to think about and read, I suppose. I’m never one to jump on a bandwagon. I wait until the wagon’s long gone, the dust has settled, and the tracks are almost imperceptible before considering a fad. If it was worthwhile to begin with, it will still be worthwhile after the wild-eyed fans have moved on to their next obsession, leaving space for us skeptical curmudgeons.
Worth the Wait
Anyway, whether by busyness, patience, or sheer stubbornness, I didn’t even read the books until 18 years after The Sorcerer’s Stone was published. But guess what? I was right! They were still worthwhile! Since then I’ve read through the series twice and listened to it on audiobook twice. That’s quite a commitment—4,224 physical pages or 117 audio hours each time, or so the internets tell me.
And after all that, I’m finally making time to discuss my thoughts here. If you haven’t read the series, now may be a good time to call in very, very sick and devote the next 117 hours to listening to the books. I’d hate to spoil anything for you.
Harry Potter, Personally
For those of you who are already immersed in all things Potter, you know that writing about the series is like adding a drop of water to an ocean. What could possibly be left to say about this wildly-popular series? Surely, after a quarter of a century, it’s all been said before.
Well, I can’t promise to present completely novel ideas (see what I did there?), but I do promise to make it personal. This mini-series won’t be a critique or summary; it will be a peek into why I enjoy Harry Potter.
A Glimpse into the Future
So what’s the plan? With such a long series, I can’t hope to write an exhaustive commentary. Instead, I’d like to look at just a few topics that come to mind when I think about Harry Potter, things that make the series worth multiple reads. Here they are in order of their planned appearance on the blog:
Concerns—As a Christian I’ve heard a wide spectrum of concerns about the series. I’d like to begin by addressing a few of these from my perspective as a believer, reader, teacher, and mother.
Storyline—Rowling managed to craft a compelling storyline that delves deeper in each successive book, culminating in an ending that satisfies.
Characters—The story is supported by believable, (mostly) likeable, relatable characters who provide plenty of relational interest.
Heroism—Finally and best of all, the books (usually) model character qualities of a true hero in the actions of Harry and his friends.
Enjoyment Without Obsession
If you’re a Past Watchful Dragons regular, you know that there are a few things I’m obsessed with: C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, being outside, Jesus, and my family. In no particular order, of course. I really, really enjoy the Harry Potter series, but I can’t honestly say I’m obsessed. I’m not sure if that makes you trust me more or less, but I felt like I should admit it up front.
So while my readings of the series are far from making me an expert, hopefully they qualify me to share a few decently-informed opinions. I hope you’ll stick around for the ride, because I’m pretty excited about it. As always, I’d love to hear from you! Dissenting opinions, scathing denouncements, or even agreements are always welcome in the comments.
Until next time, friends!
Thanksgiving at Christmas
Hello, dear friends! It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and I hope you’ve been enjoying it to the fullest. I know it’s Christmas time, but I’ve actually been thinking about thanksgiving—not the holiday, but the action. Believe it or not, these musings were inspired by the Christmas movies I’ve been watching.
This year I noticed a common theme in three vastly-different Christmas stories: A Christmas Carol, It’s a Wonderful Life,and the Home Alone movies. Think I’m crazy? Maybe, but not about this.
Ebenezer, George, and Kevin
All three stories center around a man (or boy) who has an important lesson to learn. At first glance they seem to have nothing in common, but consider their attitudes. All three characters are discontent and miserable, and they’re determined to make other people feel the same way. In short, they’re not thankful.
But they don’t stay that way. Dickens’ A Christmas Carol shows Scrooge turning from a curmudgeon to a saint literally overnight. Was it because his life had changed? Nope. Just his perspective. In It’s a Wonderful Life, George Bailey has a similar experience when he gets a glimpse of the positive impact his seemingly-terrible life has made. Even rotten little Kevin McCallister experiences an epiphany when he gets his wish to make his family disappear. Life without them isn’t nearly as great as he’d expected, and he realizes he loves them after all.
Mary’s Grief and Glory
It’s no coincidence that three of the most enduring Christmas classics share the theme of discovering thankfulness. I tend to focus on what I want to change rather than the blessings I’ve been given, and I think this tendency is pretty universal. But Christmas gives us time to stop and reflect on gifts—not just the ones under the tree, but the ones that God has given us as well. Whether they’re the gifts we want or the gifts God knows we need, the day will come when we will be able to thank him for them.
The central character of the Christmas story is clearly Jesus. We celebrate the humble beginnings of his brave and selfless rescue plan, and we rejoice. But another important character is Mary. I wonder how she felt when she brought Jesus into this dirty, broken world. What went through her mind as she watched him grow to become worshiped by some and despised by others? What was in her heart as she witnessed the brutality of the cross and the incomprehensible miracle of the resurrection? She certainly rejoiced at the news that she would bear God’s Son, but the angel warned that a sword would pierce her heart. With so much glory entwined with so much grief, I’m sure sorrow and thankfulness often wrestled inside her. That’s a feeling we can all relate to.
My Grief and Glory
Recently we celebrated my son’s fourth birthday. With his birth being just five day before Christmas, Isaiah gave me ample reason to contemplate the miracle of birth, the humility of Jesus’ humanity, and the endurance of sweet Mary. I chose to birth Isaiah at home, and I enjoyed 46 hours of labor before his massive melon head came bursting into the world. He was immediately surrounded by love, snuggled up to his daddy and me, covered warmly, and tended to with all the care he needed. There was nothing lacking, and I wouldn’t have changed a thing. In contemplating his birth, I have so much to be thankful for.
My second baby, Eva, will turn two in February. We had hoped for a second home birth, but as the ultrasounds showed some abnormalities, we opted for a hospital birth instead. I was heartbroken at the loss of a peaceful home birth. She came a month early and had surgery the morning after she was born. The next two months were spent in NICU. My husband and I had to take turns visiting her because of Covid protocols. It was hard to hold her with all the tubes, cords, and wires dangling from her little body. For weeks at a time it felt like she wasn’t improving and we’d never get out of there.
Grasping for Gratitude
With Isaiah’s birth, my thankfulness was instant, complete, and clearly warranted. Despite the long labor and difficult arrival, I had a healthy boy in my arms. My heart was full of gratefulness. But with Eva’s birth, I had to look deeper to find cause for thankfulness. It was well worth the search, though, because just under the fear and sorrow was a wealth of blessings waiting to be acknowledged.
Eva’s condition—while far from idea—was operable. Eva made a slow but complete recovery. Family and friends supported us with love and help. Because she was fed via IV for well over a month, I was able to donate thousands of ounces of my milk to babies who needed it. And through it all, God taught us things that we could never have learned another way. God had given us not what we wanted but what he knew we needed.
Thanksgiving at Christmas
Our lives are a mixed bag, aren’t they? Some seasons are full of joy, and others seem like nothing but difficulty. But through it all, our kind Savior is at work doing more than we can see. Mary knew this, and we can experience it too. We can’t choose what happens, but we can choose our perspective. Will we be the Scrooge of Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? The George Bailey before his visit from an angel or afterward? Frankly, I hope we aren’t like Kevin McCallister at all because he didn’t even apologize to his mom for being such a brat in the first movie. Regardless, we all have much to be thankful for, so I hope you’ll join me in celebrating thanksgiving this Christmas.
Bedtime Books and Goodnight Moon
I hope someone read to you when you were young. It’s such a gift for little ones. My parents said they used to read to me so often that I would memorize the picture books. They said they’d tease me by trying to change the words, but I would always correct them (thereby proving that I’ve been insufferable know-it-all since birth).
Bedtime Book Routine
My husband and I often read books to our kids throughout the day, but sometimes things get busy and we don’t get around to it. But even busy days end with bedtime books. Many, many bedtime books. I think our bedtime book routine is getting stretched longer every night.
And do you know what? That’s (mostly) fine with me. There are more relaxing ways to spend that time, but there aren’t many better ways.
After much reading, many shenanigans, and even more rigmarole, the time finally comes for the last book of the night. By then, the kids may be wound up, but we adults are plum tuckered out. No doubt about it—it’s time for those feisty little angels to get their halos in bed.
The Sacred Last Book
That’s why the last book of the night really matters. Frankly, I want the last book to be borderline boring. Each successive page of that sucker should add a 10-pound weight to my kid’s eyelids. The last page had better be greeted with stillness and snores. Most likely mine, but hopefully theirs, too.
That’s a lot to ask of a book, but there are a handful of gems that can be counted on to do the trick over here. Ole Risom and Richard Scarry’s I Am a Bunny, Brianna Caplan Sayres’ Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night?, and a few Usborne books are some regular superstars in our house.
But lately we’ve found another contender for Best Last Book of the Night: Goodnight Moon.
Awesome for 85 Years
Goodnight Moon was written by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Clement Hurd way back in 1947, a fact which I myself just learned. Of course good things are still being published today, and some of it is even last-book worthy (like The Night is Deep and Wide, by Gillian Sze and Sue Todd). But Goodnight Moon meets all of my qualifications for a great last book:
- Lyrical and repetitive
- Not long or tedious
- Calm and soothing
And—bonus—the pictures get darker as the pages go on. By the last page, the room in the book is dim, still, and peaceful. It’s the perfect segue for switching out the lamp, depositing the squirming child into the crib, and listening to her babble and bump while I hit the sack myself.
The Hidden Magic
If you try to dissect the appeal of Goodnight Moon, you’ll likely end up scratching your head. Half the pictures are plain black and white, and the other half are of the same scene again and again. Some of the items being wished goodnight are outdated. (A bowl of mush? An old nanny in a rocking chair?) And, frankly, there’s no plot, no moral to the story.
So why on earth is Goodnight Moon an undisputed classic? I think it’s partly nostalgia, partly skill, and partly magic. The words are methodical, lulling, almost hypnotizing. They can (and should) be murmured slowly. The plotless story and predictable illustrations form a cozy combination that’s sure to quiet little minds and bodies. If Goodnight Moon doesn’t knock ‘em out, then they’re just not tired.
An Enduring Classic
The book market is ever-changing. Today’s agents and publishers would most likely reject Goodnight Moon on the (justifiable) grounds that nothing happens. Nevertheless, someone way back in 1947 saw potential in the book, and we’ve all been the richer for it. Who knows—maybe they even saw the magic. Either way, it’s a bedtime favorite around here, so I’m thankful the book made it into print many moons ago.
I know a screen is a rotten substitute for a book, but if you don’t have Goodnight Moon on hand, try giving this video a watch. Just make sure you’re not driving or operating heavy machinery at the time. It’s sure to make you say, “Goodnight, Moon.”
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