Inkheart

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DSC03342Why do I love children’s stories? I believe that as adults we fill our life with so much busyness. We spend so much time nurturing everyone around us that we forget to nurture the very heart of who we are, we leave our imagination on the back burner. We need to nurture that child within, we need to bring him or her back again.

Louisa May Alcott Orchard house

live in the land of old books, children’s illustration and storytelling. When my girls were beginning their teen years, I put away my storybooks and teddy bear picnics and told myself that someday when I was a Grandmother I would revisit these joys. I no longer gave myself permission to be the child that they brought out in me.

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hen my girls were little, I was one of those mothers who was happiest when I was lost in storytelling, creating magic for my children, and half believing that I would find the faeries that we searched for in the garden.

Teeny fairy teapot



ld volumes of children’s books found their way onto my book shelves once again, and they reawakened the little girl who I remembered...me. I found myself still visiting the section of Children’s books, lost in illustrating my favorite things, and still wanting to write stories for children.

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hen we treat ourselves to remember those stories of our childhood or that of our own children, we become a child again. A child filled with awe and wonder about our world. I suspect we can all have that child-like vision that finds joy and zeal everywhere.

Monet's Fairies

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hildren stories hold the key that unlock the door to our imagination. Books like The Secret Garden, Little Women and The Children of the Bluebird of Happiness and The Adventures of Oz and your favorite children’s book, hold so many important secrets about life.

The Secret Garden

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he other night I treated myself to a movie at home called Inkheart. Oh I fell in love. It was one of those Fantasy movies that make you remember things that you knew before.


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nkheart is a story about a young girl who discovers her father has an amazing talent to bring characters to life. The problem in the story is that each time one character comes to life another real person disappears inside the book. The making for a marvelous story. Yet there is even more to the making of this wonderful movie.





uthor, Cornelia Funke wrote this book with Brendan Fraser in mind as the lead character. When she finished the English version she sent him a copy of the book, never thinking that the book would become a film.

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DSC02049Well, it did become a wonderful movie. So there was Brendan Fraser playing the character in the story that was written with him in mind, which was about a storyteller who could make characters come alive. Amazing!

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f I could give you a gift, I would tell you to snuggle into your favorite chair with a box of cracker jacks, a teddy bear and your childlike mind, and let your imagination come to life while you enjoy this movie, Inkheart. The movie has some scary characters, so be careful to watch it first before you invite any little children to join you.

My Sister Made This

DSC02042The children’s books Inkspell, Inkheart and Inkdeath are a trilogy, written by Cornelia Funke in her native language of German, and are available in English.

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There is an audio book available and read by the enchanting voice of Lynn Redgrave. The song for this post is the theme song, The Declaration. The original soundtrack song is sung by the star of the film, Eliza Bennett. My teddy bear painting was painted by my sister, Susan.
Unknown said...

As usual, you always makes me dream when I visit here. beautiful post as always Karen, much love and big hugs for you....M

MARIA said...

Dear Karen,
when I come here I always admire your big talent.
BEAUTIFUL!!!!
AMAZING!!!!!

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

My sweet Karen,
This post is so wonderful. I do believe in fairytales, in fact, I want to write them. I have so much to finish however, but God willing, when I am done with my masters thesis, I want to plunge into more creative writing. I just saw this movie on the shelves the other day at the store and wondered about it! I must get it and you are right, one needs a teddy bear or something cuddly to hang on to while watching these sorts of films....I BELIEVE!! Bless you, Anita

Kathleen Grace said...

We just watched this last week! Loved it:>) I have never stopped reading childrens books. My youngest daughter and I both have a real addiction to childrens literature and we usually share the books we get from the library!

Snap said...

Karen,
Wonderful post! I do believe in never growing up! She has also written a book titled Dragonrider (of course this was the first one I read). I bought the book to send on to my two nieces in California. Well, I still have the book, sitting next to my chair with Cordelia dragon near. Dragonrider may never get to California!

Hugs--

Claudia said...

Such a divine post -- but then your entire blog is just that, Divine!!

Does your sister sell her work? That teddy is scrumptious.

I will be back!

TTFN~~Claudia ♥

Beverly said...

Karen, this is such a lovely post. I will seek these books.

I still treasure the books from my childhood.

Gabriela said...

Hello Karen,

This is such an awesome post!



~ Gabriela ~

Anonymous said...

What a great post! I will look for that book, snuggle up with one of my rabbits, and read it :>) I think being a grandparent brings so much joy because it does bring out our inner child. Even a new little puppy can do that sometimes. It makes us silly but for some reason we think it's ok at those times but not others. I don't know why we wait to enjoy ourselves. Life is just to short to be serious all of the time.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

My sister just told me about this movie today! I am adding it to my Netflix right now.
Hugs,
Penny

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

This sounds so wonderful to me. You know I too love Children's stories and books...m..

Sharon's Cottage Quilts said...

Inkheart is on my weekend watch list! Thanks Karen, for another wonderful post!
Blessings~Sharon

jeanne said...

Hello Karen, mind mind wondered back to when I was a little girl and love the children's stories of old. My mother taught me to read before I went to school so I read so many stories back then. Our mother taught us to believe in fairies and I did the same with my children and grands. Every time we see moss growing we say, "That's where the fairies danced at night."
A beautiful thought isn't it?

Thank you for the most beautiful post today. I loved all of the photos and specially the teddy bear your sister painted. I can see your sister is as artistic as you are.

Have a wonderful day.

Hugs...Jeanne

PS We have been gone for several weeks and now our grands are visiting. I am happy to be visiting again.

jeanne said...

Oops a typo Karen. 'My mind' Jeanne, again

Unknown said...

That is an amazing story about the author and her character with Brandon Fraser in mind, LOL! Life is so funny that way...how we think a certain way and somehow it tends to manifest itself!

Blondie's Journal said...

Karen,

Lovely post. As a child, books were my world. I would walk through a secret door into a world of happiness, free of pain. As an adult I read constantly to my firstborn daughter. I believe also, that I was reading to myself, trying to understand that shy little girl of so long ago. Saying prayers that this sweet little baby I held would want for nothing and her life would be a true to life fairytale.

I truly feel the child within and I long to comfort her...

Don't mind me. Your posts just make me think little too much.

xoxo
Jane

The Quintessential Magpie said...

What a beautiful and thoughtful post, Karen! And you have a sister who is very talented just as you are. I look forward to one day reading your book. Let me know when it's in print. In the mean time, I'll check out these suggestions. Thank you for the book suggestion and the challenge...

XO,

Sheila :-)

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful post. I'm almost in tears listening to the song and wistfully remembering the joys of childhood imagination. I used to absolutely believe in fairies and sing to them on the swing up in the back garden. I love the illustrations you've included in the post.

Anonymous said...

Hi Karen,
I agree with you : the children books are a fairy world. They always make me dream. What would be the life without dreams ?

Eleanor said...

A wonderful tribute to children's books - sometimes I wonder why I read adult fiction! I also so enjoyed reading the classics to my girls. This was a lovely blog and the painting of the teddy is delightful!

Simply Debbie said...

DEAR KAREN,
I WAS ALSO THE HAPPIEST READING FAIRY TALES AND ADVENTURES WITH MY CHILDREN. My 33 year old daughter still loves for me to read to her and I watch for books to read to her and with her.
I love to read children's books myself.
I HAVE AN AWARD FOR YOU ON MY BLOG..there were no rules given with it... you have touched my life in ways you don't even know....you are so very beautiful inside and out....you teach by example and every post is an inspiration from GOD.
You are so respected and admired...and willing always to share your work...you are a Proverbs 31 woman
Angel hugs
debbie

Alison Gibbs said...

Karen as always your posts are so special.
I think we all need to awaken that inner child deep inside.
Come by my blog and enter my giveaway
Alison

Charlene said...

I am off to find Inkheart at the video store. Thank you for the tip. And I loved the images you shared of the children & books. I see you did not get 100% of the family talent... your sisters Teddy Bear is sweet. Have a wonderful week.

need cash said...

Hello Karen!!! Know what? Same as you are, I also love children stories. You are right! Adults like us fill life with so much busyness and we tend to spend so much time nurturing everyone around us that we forget to nurture the very heart of who we are. Well, no matter what we say and how we read children’s stories, we can’t go back in our younger days. So betterguide children on what and how they enjoy life.

Amisha said...

A kindred spirit! Children's fiction and illustration can be so much fun and reminds me of summer holidays. Paddington bear, Enid Blyton (Noddy, the wishing chair, secret seven, mr. galliano's circus), Little Women, Anne of Green Gables.

Thank you for reminder to enjoy these.

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