I’m away from home this week on an adventure unlike any I’ve ever had. It’s a conference for children’s writers at the Chautauqua Institution in New York, organized by the Highlights for Children Foundation. If you never had Highlights for Children at home, you will probably remember it from the dentist’s or doctor’s office waiting room.
The Chautauqua Institution is in a summer village on Chautauqua Lake. Some people live here all year ’round, but some only come for the nine-week summer season, when they can go to the symphony or the opera, see art exhibits, listen to lectures by very wise people, and go to church. There are art studios here for sculpture, painting, and pottery-making.
Chautauqua reminds me of the summer lakeside village in the book Gone Away Lake, by Elizabeth Enright. The lovely Victorian-era cottages (many are more like mansions) have names like Fernbank, Doll House, The Cambridge, and Waugh Place. The gardens are filled with flowers, and it’s fun to walk around because few cars are allowed inside.
Among many other high goals and ideals, the Chautauqua Institute promotes excellence and creativity in the appreciation, performance, and teaching of the arts; and encourages the exploration of important religious, social, and political issues. But can such a utopian vision be complete without…yarn?
Of course not! So you’ll be glad to see this. I like how “Fine Art” and “Luxury Yarns” are billed together on this sign.
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I have always loved children’s books. I read them as a kid, when I was in college, after college (which was before my children were born), and after I had children. The pictures and stories make me happy. As a kid, I wanted to write and illustrate books for kids. In fact, I did write and illustrate one for my brother.
Then I pushed that aside to do what I thought all smart girls were supposed to do—get a degree in business or science or engineering. I chose science. Now I am coming back around to the idea of being a writer for children, and this time, I’m armed with a lot of general knowledge in science and crafts, and a lot of life experience. I’m ready!