I was in waterstones the other day, following up a 'double points this weekend only' offer, and came across Jacqueline Wilson's newest book. I felt such a pang when I saw it. Jacqueline Wilson's books ruled my childhood (along with Paula Danziger and Ann M Martin, but they'll get their own posts) and I so wanted it. I did this last time I saw a new Jacqueline Wilson. I debated in my head whether or not to get it. I've usually got a pram with me, and when you have one kid, they automoatically assume you have more or know more ... but I still can't do it. I'm sure they'll just know I'm buying it for me. They always seem to know I'm buying for me, not for a kid.
My sister started it all off. She had the original Tracy Beaker book, and I used to steal it and read it (I never understood that her books were off limits. I read some pretty adult stuff pretty young as a result). I got my copy of the Suitcase Kid not much later. But we didn't have much money growing up so I could never feed my book addiction properly - I took every copy I could find of hers out of the library instead. That drove my parents crazy too, every week I'd come out of the library with the full limit of my book allowance, with Jacqueline, Paula, Ann, Francine Pascal, R.L.Stine, and they'd beg me to put some back, that I'd never read them all in time, and the end of the day I would've gone through half the stack.
I liked that she took a problem child, or problem situation, and talked their way into a better one, and I loved that, that no-one's life was perfect but whatever problems prevailed in life, there was always a solution, a compromise. Part of my writing's like that. I try to live my life like that. I wish I had entire collections of all the writers I ever admired. I want all of Jacqueline Wilsons books. I wish my age wasn't such an issue for me. I wish internet shopping wasn't so addictive so I could get the books I want without embarrassment.
Damn you, 'Little Darlings' ... especially as one of the characters is a little bit like one of mine. Bahhhh! ... oh well, internet shopping it is, I guess.
I lurve Jacqueline Wilson's books - she inspired me to write from about the age of six years old. I adored her, and all of the books that I had of hers were well pawed through. I had my favourites (Tracy Beaker, The Illustrated Mum) signed when she came and visited Chalvedon School. I was so thrilled lols x But indeed - I do get funny looks when I wander to the Childrens section :)
ReplyDeleteI am so jealous you got to meet her! We only had one writer come to SHSG and it was someone I've never heard of. She only met the lower school too, and I was like, year 11 before she came anyway.
ReplyDeleteI got a funny look today in Lakeside though, bought this stack of books and the woman at the till wouldn't shut up about the pile (there was like, six books there, and she thought it was a lot. God, I should have her job ...) although she had one of the books I picked out and said it was good. It's by Preston from the Ordinary Boys' brother? This Bleeding City by Alex Preston. I should probably make this another entry lol.