I love reading about the books that have made a difference for others!
The impact of books and the stories they hold inside has been – and still is – huge for me. I grew up in trauma and was able to disappear into other worlds because of Mark Twain and Madeleine L'Engle. I learned how families could be from Beverly Cleary and Laura Ingalls Wilder. I learned to it was okay to cry from Wilson Rawls. I learned about my body from Judy Blume. I learned the things that happened to me were not my fault from Alice Walker.
I truly believe my life would not be as rich and healthy today had I not been able to fall in love with words on paper.
Harriet is the bomb. She has been a guiding star for me...outspoken, smart, and funny...and sometimes just the littlest bit rude or snarky. Definitely read the book. It stands up so well. Published in 1964 it was instrumental in changing the way a lot of authors were writing for children. The best!
Wonderful, wonderful piece, Nan. I so enjoyed getting to meet "little Nan" and revisiting Harriet (a favorite of mine, too!). Your writing evokes such feelings of yearning and compassion and courage. Truly a treat to read.
Love this, Nan. My Harriet was Alice in Wonderland. I think she showed me that it was perfectly normal to be weird, if you could find your way to a world where things were rich and strange and you felt perfectly at home. Thank you for sharing this vulnerable child with us. She’s such a great person. Just like you.
Thank you my dear friend. There’s a special quote from HTS that may make it onto my skin “There are as many ways to live as there are people on the earth." Speaks to the same concept you mentioned. I’ve always loved that line. I loved Alice, too. xo
I did! And there are more wonderful connections I discovered when I read the Louise Fitzhugh bio of a few years ago “Sometimes You Have to Lie”. Louise Fitzhugh lived in my/Harriet’s neighborhood at exactly the time I did when I was a little kid. I loved learning that.
Wow! Harriet the Spy was my favorite book too and probably inspired me to write as well! You really met this girl! Amazing! I loved this story. Thank you for sharing.
Oh how I wish I could go back in time and give little Nan a big hug! Hopefully I will see you soon and give one to you ❤️ I too loved Harriet the Spy and read it to Lucas a few times when he was younger. Thank you for sharing your journey through life with Harriet with us ❤️
This is beautifully constructed.... and it takes the reader through, yes, the history with a book (and the benefit of second chances) as well as the medical diagnosis that brought Harriet back into your life. I think I most love that second go-round, you were able to wear the hoodies, and the dungarees, and your real glasses. I hope your great Aunt smiled to see her plan unfold a few years later!
Beautiful,touching story. Somehow I missed reading Harriet. I will now at age 65. My favorite was Trixie Belden. You are such a talented writer! I was there with you in this piece! Keep going,please! Marguerite
This is so well done. I appreciate learning your story, though I’m so sorry about the pain. Like others here, I now want to return to Harriet the Spy. I have a niece who should be just about ready to meet Harriet, and now I know what she’s getting for her next birthday.
Thanks Meryl! If you're going to get your niece a copy of Harriet and it's not digital, I highly recommend buying the hardcover 50th anniversary edition. It's the closest visually/physically to the original (says the woman who has 3 hardcover versions and one for my e-reader). I do think a tattoo is in my future. I've been planning on it for a while now. And, it's wonderful to share some of my story. There's a lot more to tell. Sending love to you and the family!
You made me want to read Harriet the Spy again and truthfully, I think I will. There’s something about re-reading your favorite childhood book that resonates with me (along with much else written here), my childhood re-read is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, it’s so dog eared and yellowed and loved. I keep thinking I should buy a new one but I won’t, even with the cover hanging off and rubber banded together it’s the most nostalgic thing I own.
I cherish my original copy of Harriet the Spy. I've collected several other copies along the way. A friend gifted me with a first edition on my 55th birthday that was pulled from a relative's bookshelf. Such a treasure. And I have the 50th Anniversary edition. I will be writing more about my relationship with Harriet in future stories. Thank you, Dina for being so supportive!
I love reading about the books that have made a difference for others!
The impact of books and the stories they hold inside has been – and still is – huge for me. I grew up in trauma and was able to disappear into other worlds because of Mark Twain and Madeleine L'Engle. I learned how families could be from Beverly Cleary and Laura Ingalls Wilder. I learned to it was okay to cry from Wilson Rawls. I learned about my body from Judy Blume. I learned the things that happened to me were not my fault from Alice Walker.
I truly believe my life would not be as rich and healthy today had I not been able to fall in love with words on paper.
I love this comment, Michele! I don’t know where I’d be without my love of books and reading.
Love this piece Nan! And I LOVE children's books. I plan to check out Harriet the Spy.
Harriet is the bomb. She has been a guiding star for me...outspoken, smart, and funny...and sometimes just the littlest bit rude or snarky. Definitely read the book. It stands up so well. Published in 1964 it was instrumental in changing the way a lot of authors were writing for children. The best!
Wonderful, wonderful piece, Nan. I so enjoyed getting to meet "little Nan" and revisiting Harriet (a favorite of mine, too!). Your writing evokes such feelings of yearning and compassion and courage. Truly a treat to read.
Thank you so much, Jamie. xo
I love this so much Nancy Ellen Tepper! Now affectionately known as, Nan the Writer. And my friend.
We’ll have to set a call soon. ❤️
Good! xo
Thanks, Paulette. I miss you! xo
Love this, Nan. My Harriet was Alice in Wonderland. I think she showed me that it was perfectly normal to be weird, if you could find your way to a world where things were rich and strange and you felt perfectly at home. Thank you for sharing this vulnerable child with us. She’s such a great person. Just like you.
Thank you my dear friend. There’s a special quote from HTS that may make it onto my skin “There are as many ways to live as there are people on the earth." Speaks to the same concept you mentioned. I’ve always loved that line. I loved Alice, too. xo
You played in Carl Schultz Park??!! Wow.
I'm glad you weathered those tough years experiencing epilepsy. Not easy by any means. Thank you for sharing this.
It’s actually Carl Schurz park. Just saw the spellcheck did you wrong. Have you ever been? It was great in the 60s. Have been in years.
I did! And there are more wonderful connections I discovered when I read the Louise Fitzhugh bio of a few years ago “Sometimes You Have to Lie”. Louise Fitzhugh lived in my/Harriet’s neighborhood at exactly the time I did when I was a little kid. I loved learning that.
Wow! Harriet the Spy was my favorite book too and probably inspired me to write as well! You really met this girl! Amazing! I loved this story. Thank you for sharing.
She was the bomb...Still is for me. I'm glad you enjoyed it. xo.
Oh how I wish I could go back in time and give little Nan a big hug! Hopefully I will see you soon and give one to you ❤️ I too loved Harriet the Spy and read it to Lucas a few times when he was younger. Thank you for sharing your journey through life with Harriet with us ❤️
I want that hug please!!!
This is beautifully constructed.... and it takes the reader through, yes, the history with a book (and the benefit of second chances) as well as the medical diagnosis that brought Harriet back into your life. I think I most love that second go-round, you were able to wear the hoodies, and the dungarees, and your real glasses. I hope your great Aunt smiled to see her plan unfold a few years later!
Thank you, Amy. My aunt died when I was 9 so no. But she’s still very much alive for me in so many ways. The matriarchs.
Another favorite: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg
I ADORED Harriet the Spy. I think I forgot how much she inspired me too!
I just finished reading it again. I always get something new from her. I feel like I'm reading my memoir, if that makes any sense. She's a part of me.
Beautiful Nan xoxox
Thanks, Mary Anne!
Beautiful,touching story. Somehow I missed reading Harriet. I will now at age 65. My favorite was Trixie Belden. You are such a talented writer! I was there with you in this piece! Keep going,please! Marguerite
Thanks Marguerite! I just finished reading Harriet again. I always see new things about myself on each visit to her world. I hope you enjoy her.
This is so well done. I appreciate learning your story, though I’m so sorry about the pain. Like others here, I now want to return to Harriet the Spy. I have a niece who should be just about ready to meet Harriet, and now I know what she’s getting for her next birthday.
Thanks Meryl! If you're going to get your niece a copy of Harriet and it's not digital, I highly recommend buying the hardcover 50th anniversary edition. It's the closest visually/physically to the original (says the woman who has 3 hardcover versions and one for my e-reader). I do think a tattoo is in my future. I've been planning on it for a while now. And, it's wonderful to share some of my story. There's a lot more to tell. Sending love to you and the family!
The 50th anniversary edition it is! Love back to you from all of us!
That's the way to do it! xoxo
Very solid writing. Packs a punch. I'm proud of you. XXX
Thanks Ann! I miss you a lot.
You made me want to read Harriet the Spy again and truthfully, I think I will. There’s something about re-reading your favorite childhood book that resonates with me (along with much else written here), my childhood re-read is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, it’s so dog eared and yellowed and loved. I keep thinking I should buy a new one but I won’t, even with the cover hanging off and rubber banded together it’s the most nostalgic thing I own.
I cherish my original copy of Harriet the Spy. I've collected several other copies along the way. A friend gifted me with a first edition on my 55th birthday that was pulled from a relative's bookshelf. Such a treasure. And I have the 50th Anniversary edition. I will be writing more about my relationship with Harriet in future stories. Thank you, Dina for being so supportive!