Since the 17th century, horror has been one of the most popular fiction genres. With roots in religion and folklore, horror has grown to encompass all manner of subgenres from gothic stories to supernatural fiction to psychological horror. This subgenre of speculative fiction is designed to terrify, unsettle, and provoke thought as it serves as a metaphor for the fears that plague society. Today we take a look at some of the most beloved classics of horror.
Fall is here, and that means Halloween is on its way. Whether or not you plan to dress up and party or stay home and pass out candy, we've gathered various middle-grade and young-adult books that are perfect for sharing with your family or with children in your life. These books will help you enter the Halloween spirit as we enter the spooky season. Join us as we take a look at some of these creepy books that are great for children and adult collectors alike:
Irish writer, professor, and amateur theologian C.S. Lewis is best known for his children's fantasy series, The Chronicles of Narnia. Inspired by Beatrix Potter and his strong Anglican faith and strong friendship and rivalry with another British fantasy heavyweight, JRR Tolkien, Lewis' Naria series has captivated readers for years with its imagination, heart, and allegory. The Chronicles of Narnia have been adapted numerous times for television, film, and radio, most notably as a BBC series and as a series of several films by Walden Media. It was recently announced that director Greta Gerwig will adapt at least two Narnia films for streaming service Netflix. Let’s take a look at some of the more moving passages from this timeless and beloved fantasy series:
Acclaimed science fiction writer Anne McCaffrey was born in 1926 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. McCaffrey published her first short stories in the 1950s, both to great success. While one earned a $100 prize, another was published and later anthologized in The Year's Best Science Fiction. She attended her first Milford Writer's Workshop in 1959. It was at a later workshop that she began work on her first novel Restoree, which was inspired by the desire to see a powerful woman in a science fiction story instead of one needing to be rescued. She began publishing her first dragon stories in the late sixties, earning both the Hugo and Nebula awards for her short fiction. She was secretary-treasurer for Science Fiction Writers of America from 1968 through 1970. In 1970, emigrated to Ireland, where she lived for the rest of her life. McCaffrey was one of the science fiction writers to make it to the New York Times Best Sellers list. She was named a Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Indicted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame and received the prestigious Robert Heinlein Award. She passed away in 2011 at the age of eighty-five.
Today, we continue our overview of books that inspired animators and legendary film company, Walt Disney animations. While folk tales continue to occupy a large place in Disney’s oeuvre, today we also feature a selection of classic stories from British literature Let's take a look at a new selection of films in the fourth edition of our Books That Inspired Disney series:
Novelist Patricia A. McKillip was born in 1948 in Salem, Oregon. She attended the College of Notre Dame and San Jose State University. She began her career publishing books for young children. Her first novel, her third published work, The Forgotten Beasts of Eld, won the World Fantasy Award in 1976, cementing her as one of the best fantasy authors of her time. Known for her stunning and lyrical prose, McKillip's stories often feature feminist takes on folk and fairy tales. Often awarded throughout her career, McKillip was given the World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2008. She passed away at her home in 2022 at the age of seventy-four. Join us today as we take a closer look at some of her most beautiful and enduring stories:
Alan Alexander Milne, better known by his pen name A.A. Milne, was an English playwright, poet, and children's book author. Throughout his career, he wrote numerous plans and humor articles and even worked creating scripts for some of Britain's first films in the early days of the industry. He also served as editor for various magazines, including the humor magazine Punch. However, Milne is best known for his contribution to the world of children's literature as the creator of one of the most beloved children's characters of all time: Winnie-the-Pooh.
Sometimes the Caldecott Medal is awarded to illustrators doing the latest thing, and other times it's given to an artist who takes an older, more traditional style and puts a unique spin on it. That's the case for the 2009 recipient, Beth Krommes. Krommes' work is inspired by the timeless art of wood engraving. Her folk art-inspired scratchboard illustrations showcase this traditional style, while her mixed media approach of adding watercolors to beautiful effect lends an air of surprise and depth. Let's take a closer look at Beth Krommes, the 2009 Caldecott medal recipient in this edition of our Caldecott Winning Illustrators Series:
As so often, trends come and go in the world of children's literature. These trends are often reflected in awards such as the Caldecott, Newbury, and Carnegie medals. Recent trends in middle-grade fiction include stories of protagonists with magical powers and protagonists facing down against spooky creatures and ghosts. What we don’t see as much anymore is animal protagonists.
While stories from the 2000s like the Warriors series about cats and the Guardians of Ga’Hool featuring owls, these stories are still popular, readers who enjoy this trope don’t see nearly as many hitting bookstores nowadays. Lucky for those readers (and for those looking to acquire some timeless children’s books for their collections), we’ve compiled a list of some of the best novels featuring animal protagonists. Perfect for both the children and collectors in your life, these books are definitely worth investigating:
The stories we read when we are young often stay with us for the rest of our lives. These stories serve as cultural touchstones with people we meet in our adult lives. They're the stories we want to share with our children. Whether or not we realize it, these early stories impact the people we become. The same can be said for movies. Disney is a company that for decades has transformed our favorite stories into our favorite movies, allowing us to experience beloved tales in a new way. Join us today as we take a look at some of the stories Disney has transformed in part three of our The Books That Inspired Disney series:
