Bunnies, cookies and children's books

Nancy Carlson brought her children's universe with all its wonder and appeal to the Morris Public Library Thursday night.
This was one of several commitments the visiting artist/author had in Morris that day. Many people got a glimpse into the world of drawing and writing for budding young minds - a world where nuance and ambiguity are discouraged and brevity and coherence greatly encouraged. "Refreshing" is one word that describes.
Carlson talked about the marvelous mix of "memories and imagination" that should get weaved for children's books. Her foundation clearly is in art. She began her career as an illustrator and feels the stories in her books would be clear just going by the pictures (without words). She recalled writing her top-seller (to date), called "I Like Me," in one afternoon.
"I have a best friend - that best friend is me."
(I have to smile realizing that Carlson, whose age I deduce as being 56, is a baby boomer who might be expected to coin a theme consistent with her allegedly narcissistic generation. But I make this point in a friendly teasing way.)
Carlson's attentive audience of adults and kids at the library meeting room learned how continuity is important in books. Scenes must be consistent. So she recommends not putting something complicated like a quilt on a page, at least not if you intend having that quilt appear on other pages. It would have to be duplicated perfectly square-by-square. She recalled a kindergartener once informing her of a continuity error: missing decorations on ice skates.
The tragedy of September 11 caused Carlson to write about fears but without making direct reference to the catastrophic event. she wrote about other fears.
Carlson talked about writing books to help deal with issues and obstacles that can confront children. Not just fears but annoyances and irritations, like bullying.
Carlson's "creatures on Mars" might have been inspired by the comic book reading of her youth. She cites the influence of comic books on her website. These presumably were not the lowbrow type of comic books that I confess I consumed to a certain degree.
Carlson envisioned a group of flying bunnies invading Iowa to steal cookies from kids. Reminds me of the flying monkeys in "The Wizard of Oz." (Kids back when "Oz" was current reportedly were terrorized by that monkey scene, to the extent that the lights be left on in the bedroom at night. For me, a comparable fear-inducing scene was "the Morlocks" of "The Time Machine." Brrr.)
Carlson advised that when writing a children's book, have your ending firmed up in your mind right away. Also, you should state clearly on the very first page the problem or conflict that will be addressed. Such precision in thought and expression ought to be followed by our politicians! Children can set an example with the clarity they demand in stories. They set examples in so many other spheres too, but perhaps they shouldn't be landing planes from an air traffic control tower (to pluck a story from last week's news).
"Don't prolong your ending," Carlson said. "There should be a quick end."
If Carlson thinks bunnies might steal cookies, then cookies are a subject she might be inclined to return to. She talked about "an idea I'm just starting" and it strikes me as infectious: "Sometimes you just need a cookie."
One problem, she admitted, is that the title seems to tell the whole story!
Cookies and refreshments were available for audience members Thursday to enjoy. Everyone grabbed pieces of paper and crayons to do some illustrating as instructed by Carlson.
Maybe our politicians could use crayons to finally put together an acceptable health care bill. They ought to see the "problem" on page 1 and then arrive at a "quick ending."
But alas we're dealing with the world of adults.
- Brian Williams - Morris mn Minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com