The British Museum, London: I went searching for the Bog Man and there he was! Loved especially the Greek sculpture and Roman glass.
Great Britain
Favorite museums, part one
In that same interview that asked me about favorite fantasy novels, I was also asked to share my favorite museums. I chose ten of them. Here’s the first, although these aren’t in any set order.
The Story Museum, Oxford: A museum with exhibitions, activities, and programs dedicated to stories and storytelling. I am actually cheating here. I’ve never been but after following them on Facebook, I long to go.
For instance, here’s an article about this wonderful exhibit “Animal: a safari through stories” currently featured at the Story Museum. “It’s time we gave wolves their bite back, says author Geraldine McCaughrean, and a new exhibition does just that. Bring your axe, Little Red Riding Hood…”
Another reason to celebrate
It’s Boxing Day in Great Britain and its former dominions. The origin of this term is unknown, but it was traditionally a day when the more fortunate gave a gift to the less fortunate. Tradespeople received gifts from their customers and servants were given the day off. The tradition goes back at least to the Middle Ages and may be older than that.
Rosemary Sutcliff
In a children’s literature class in my first year of graduate school, I discovered Rosemary Sutcliff. She was an astonishingly fine writer of books for young people about ancient Britain. My favorites are three that cover the last Romans to leave Britain, the violence of the Saxon invasions, and finally a growing hope for peace and safety: The Eagle of the Ninth, The Lantern Bearers, and Dawn Wind. I especially love Dawn Wind. In fact, I broke a date one evening so I could stay home and finish the book. My mother never understood but it seemed to me a very reasonable thing to do.
