“Mom, wake up!” we wailed. “Finish the story!” So often our words come back to haunt us.
I have lovely childhood memories of nap time with my mom—all four of her children snuggled up beside her on the bed as she read stories from the “My Book House” series.
Mom knew the fairy and folk tales well, and the poems and nursery rhymes by heart; the now well-worn set had been hers since birth. She was an emphatic reader, as her mother had been, bringing each character to life with a singular voice. But having four children under six years old, including twins, would have been tiring for any mom, and more so for a paraplegic, which my mother had been since a college auto accident had broken her back. I am certain that the naps were more for her benefit than for that of her children—as any mother will attest—and as she drifted into sleep, her voice trailing off, we would nudge her mercilessly and implore her to finish.
As I matured and could read the volumes myself, I often found the Art Nouveau illustrations more fascinating than the stories; I could not have put it into words at the time, but I was captivated by the lyrical lines, so sensous and seductive. Each volume had the same illustration on the inside front and back covers—a band of children happily making their way to a castle in the sky. I so wanted to accompany them and imagined it held the fulfillment of all my childish dreams: a treasure chest of glittering jewels, magic powers, or, the goal instilled in every little girl for centuries, a handsome prince and marital bliss.
When I purchased the 2022 Tiger Lily Press calendar, I was delighted that one month featured a castle uncannily similar to the one in my beloved books. This linocut by Joe Bohache sings to me of faraway lands, fairies and queens, heroes and dragons, enchantment and makebelieve. But most importantly, it evokes sweet memories of reading that began with my grandmother and continues with my grandchildren. I know now that castle in the clouds is just an illusion, but the romantic in me loves it and does not care. Tell me a story! Make me laugh, make me cry, make me feel.
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