My husband, kids, and I are heading north for the holidays. We’re flying to Toronto, Canada on Christmas Eve to spend the holidays with my family. It has become our family tradition to travel to my hometown during the holiday season. A white Christmas in Canada is truly a wonderland. Blankets of sparkling snow tinsel rooftops, streets, fields, and majestic evergreens. There’s something especially magical about flying north on Christmas Eve. My kids (ages 6 and 9) are convinced that they’re going to see Santa on his sleigh up close and personal. I’m going to have a hard time convincing them that red light on airplane wing is actually a red light on the airplane wing and not Rudolph’s nose. As an adult writing for children, I’ve found it helpful to reconnect to my childhood memories and motivations as a way of creating authenticity in my stories. I don’t always have the luxury of traveling home, but every so often I need to find my way back to a time where everything was vivid and pure. Looking at a photo of a meaningful place from my childhood or talking with a childhood friend can and do transport me. I hope my kids enjoy the trip! I don’t think I’ll say a word about the red flashing lights on the airplane wings. I’ll let them believe it’s Rudolph and I’ll believe once more. Carol Higgins-Lawrence wrote her first story at the age of five. Her father paid her a quarter for it and she’s been writing ever since. She’s taken a variety of courses in writing for children. Multicultural perspectives are of particular interest to her. Carol is of Jamaican descent and was born and raised in Canada. She has a BA in Communications and Sociology and she has completed coursework towards a MA in TESOL. She has worked as a literacy educator for the past 15 years. She currently lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband and two young children.
2 Comments
12/24/2014 12:03:23 am
Have a wonderful Christmas! Childhood memories are always a good way to find stories that resonate with kids!
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Carol
12/24/2014 12:29:26 am
Thanks, Kirsti. Same to you!!
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