Steeped in Stories, Mitali Perkins
Steeped in Stories, Mitali Perkins
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Steeped in Stories
Timeless Children's Novels to Refresh Our Tired Souls

Author: Mitali Perkins

Narrator: Siiri Scott

Unabridged: 6 hr 13 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 08/31/2021

Synopsis

Award-winning children's author Mitali Perkins grew up steeped in stories—escaping into her books on the fire escape of a Flushing apartment building and, later, finding solace in them as she navigated between the cultures of her suburban California school and her Bengali heritage at home. Now Perkins invites us to explore the promise of seven timeless children's novels for adults living in uncertain times: stories that provide mirrors to our innermost selves and open windows to other worlds.

Blending personal narrative, accessible literary criticism, and spiritual and moral formation, Perkins delves into novels by Louisa May Alcott, C. S. Lewis, L. M. Montgomery, Frances Hodgson Burnett, and other literary "uncles" and "aunts" that illuminate the virtuous, abundant life we still desire. These novels are not perfect, and Perkins honestly assesses their critical frailties and flaws related to race, culture, and power. Yet examining these books as adults can help us build virtue, unmask our vices, and restore our hope.

Reconnecting with these stories from childhood isn't merely nostalgia. In an era of uncertainty and despair, they lighten our load and bring us much-needed hope.

About Mitali Perkins

Mitali Perkins is an award-winning author of novels and picture books for young readers, including You Bring the Distant Near; Forward Me Back to You; Rickshaw Girl; and Bamboo People, among others. Her books have been nominated for the National Book Award, won the South Asia Book Award, and listed as a Best Book of the Year by Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, and School Library Journal. Born in Kolkata, India, Perkins has lived in India, Ghana, Cameroon, Great Britain, Mexico, Bangladesh, Thailand, and the United States (Massachusetts, New York, and California). Perkins's work is known for strong characters who cross all kinds of borders, seek community, and promote justice. She and her husband have two sons and live in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Darla on June 06, 2022

In reading both classic and contemporary books, we can be on a hunt for virtue as well as bias. How does this story illustrate justice, temperance, prudence, courage, faith, hope, or love? Most good novels--ones we might choose to reread--illuminate at least one or more of the seven virtues we have......more

Goodreads review by Hannah on June 08, 2021

When I was 17, my mom died. That summer, I reread all of my favorite children’s books— Harry Potter, Charlotte’s Web, A Cricket in Times Square... then I read Little Women, which I’m not sure I ever read as a child (but I do remembering being traumatized by Amy in the ice in the movie), and I fell i......more

Goodreads review by Betsy on February 26, 2022

2.5 stars. The good: The author encourages readers to read multiple stories from a culture to help prevent stereotypes. Great idea! The author lists the names of some southeastern authors which helps those of us who like to read from a variety of viewpoints. The author appreciates children’s literatu......more

Goodreads review by Emily on December 16, 2021

This book is an appreciation of seven classic works of children's fiction, written from the refreshing viewpoint of someone who encountered them as a child of Bengali speaking immigrants. With this subject, and the lovely title and an even lovelier jacket design, it seemed tailor-made to appeal to m......more

Goodreads review by Becca on February 13, 2022

I had seen this recommended multiple times, but finally picked it up (actually, I asked my library to purchase a copy) after it became a Read Aloud Revival pick for the Mama Book Club. I heard mixed reviews about it, so I went into it thinking I would either love or hate it. I don't love it or hate......more

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