(This is a gorgeous illustration by Ruth Hearson from our Christmas book 'Jenny, the Shy Angel,' https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/Anne-Booth/Jenny-the-Shy-Angel--A-Christmas-Story/22711141)
Like many people, I have been feeling very unhappy about politics and very worried about the future. I really identified with Lu Hershey's post. It is so hard to know what to do and impossible to fix everything. Our local Salvation Army made an appeal for new toys for children in families who are in need this year. I didn't have any spare money to buy new toys to give, but I did have new copies of each of my books on my shelf and when I read their appeal, I rang up to ask if they would accept children's books. I went into the hall and what I saw really gave me hope that this country is still full of kindness. I saw lovely people working hard sorting out gifts for families they have been working with all year. They had ideas about which children they knew would like which book, and just seeing such kind people, so respectful of the people who happen to need their help, cheered me up. There might be a Salvation Army in your area also looking for toys or books.
Last year my local food bank accepted books, so if you have any new books you can spare, you might ask them, too.
Book Trust has a scheme to send vulnerable children a book. It's here: https://www.booktrust.org.uk/support-us/give-ten-pounds-today-and-bring-joy-to-a-vulnerable-child-this-christmas/
It is really good to think of and 'do good' to others at Christmas, but the thing is, sometimes it isn't very nice to be the person 'done good to', and we all know it isn't fair that there is so much inequality in our country today. We all know very well that very often people are plunged into crisis because of situations beyond their control, and as political change is needed to change unjust systems, people need to know how political systems work. It would be better if there weren't food banks, and that parcels didn't need to be given to families - so I also think that giving books explaining how politics work, is a very positive way to empower children for when they will be asked to vote. I have given this one:
https://usborne.com/browse-books/catalogue/product/1/12821/politics-for-beginners
and someone recommended this one too, which I haven't yet seen.
https://www.michaelrosen.co.uk/portfolio/what-is-politics/
I know that Christmas, for religious and non-religious alike, for Christians and non-Christians, can be stressful for people - people can spend too much, or be forced into close confines with family they don't get on with, or, at the other extreme, it can be lonely. I have, as a child, had some very difficult Christmas times, and been glad when they were over. Somehow, however, even though I thought I wouldn't be in the mood for Christmas at this troubled political time in our country, I find I am really looking forward to Christmas more than ever this year. I want to spend time thinking about and being grateful for love, and innocence, and hope, even in hard times. After all, Jesus was born into a very troubled and dangerous world, there was no room for his poor young mother Mary to give birth to him in the inn, and he even became a refugee child with his parents Mary and Joseph for a while in Egypt. (I have written a book about this, illustrated by Sam Usher, called 'Refuge'.)
I know people can spend too much, and eat and drink too much, and we complain about the commercialism and consumerism associated with it. It can be a pressurising time for some of us, and particularly sad if you have lost someone you love. Yet somehow, thinking of that baby, and countless school nativity plays, it still is for me such a beautiful feast full of love and hope and innocence even in the midst of sad things. This year, I wish us all, Christian or not, religious or not, a simple holiday - a festival of Christmas full of love and kindness and rest and peace, and hope for a brighter future for the children some of us write for. I wish us all a refreshing break, so that in the New Year we can do our best to make life better for all children and any adults who are suffering or will suffer, in this current political climate.
And what do I want for Christmas? The new Christmas book from a writer and illustrator who always makes me feel better about life: https://www.waterstones.com/book/angel-on-the-roof/shirley-hughes/shirley-hughes/9781406379648
2 comments:
Thanks for this, Anne. We can't let go of hope.
Thank you for always reading and commenting Joan - you are always so kind. I hope you have a lovely Christmas and New Year!
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