From: Margaret Denman-West <maggie>
Date: Sat, 7 Jun 1997 23:17:07 +0100

I'm another of those who didn't "grwo up with C.Z." - i.e. she was "before my time." However, I am so very pleased to get the chance to participate in this month's discussion. I met C.Z. when my youngest son "liked to play with dolls" - and, working at the public library, I discovered "William's Doll". It was " love at first sight." Years later, as a college professor teaching children's literature, I had the opportunity to share my enjoyment and respect for Charlote Zolotow with many aspiring young future-teachers and school librarians. This gave me the "excuse" (as if I really needed one) to empty public library shelves of C. Z.'s more current books - and I have loved every minute of it - except that I was both elated and disappointed to find that in all three libraries I use, only a few of her many, many of titles were on the shlef - although the computers indicated that their collections each held many, many of her books (thus the
"elation". Her popularity "knows no bounds." I was able to find 10 I had not read. My favorites from these are: When the Wind Stops - originally published in 1962, but illustrated this time by Stefano Vitale. It deals with the thoughts and feelings all children experience - in a sensitive, caring way. Reading it to a child and then helping that child experience it themselves would be an unforgettable time for both the child and the adult. The Moon Was the Best - with photographs by Tana Hoban idoes for me, who have never been to Paris, what it "did" for the child who asked her mother to "remember the special things to tell me." I felt I was also running along the Place de Vosges (sans ballons-not appropriate for a 70 yr older) as the child on the cover was. I 'm "overdoing it", I fear, so I will just mention a couple more I really enjoyed - Hold My Hand- and -The Seashore Book (loved it)- and, last, but not least, -The Old Dog - with James Ransome as illustrator. Since I have a basset hound, Katy Rose, who is also growing old (along with me), I couldn't hold the tears back. It personifies all of C. Z.'s work experiences we all have at sometime, feelings, happiness, sadness, loneliness, caring, giving - and the list goes on and on - in simple words that say "mountains." Charlotte, please forgive my using just your initials at times. I am a terrible typist, so hope that using this shortcut to address you is better than the possibility of mispelling your name . Maggie D-W

Margaret (Maggie) Denman-West Cleveland, OH
Received on Sat 07 Jun 1997 05:17:07 PM CDT