Sometimes people ask what the significance of classic literature is. Why not just focus on the up and coming works?

Classic literature remains alive today, in part, because it touches on the universal themes that affect us all, no matter what part of the world we live in. A child in Australia can read about bullying in Tom Brown’s School Days set in 19th century England, and suddenly know that they are not alone in this experience. A pre-teen in India can read Persuasion by Jane Austen and may share in the lament of caring for someone outside of their caste. Whether we are experiencing love or dangerous times, classic literature gives us a safe place in which to understand the inner workings of humanity that are so often missed in the glare of the day. Of course classic literature is not all serious, as adults who recall Mother Goose rhymes can testify by their giggle upon review of a political cartoon in the morning’s paper.

Classic literature flavours our world, giving us quiet companionship and a safe place to explore worlds unknown. It allows us to transcend our daily experience, perhaps dream of traveling while teaching us of foreign peoples, real or imagined.

As a French Canadian illustrator, Michele Lemieux did not grow up with the English writer Edward Lear and his stories, but as a child at heart, she has no problem laughing over his zany fictitious characters. Over the weekend, we had a chance to catch up with Canadian illustrator who illustrated the 1994 edition of Edward Lear’s poetry in There Was An Old Man… A Collection of Limericks. She was one of the guest speakers for Serendipity 2009, an annual event hosted by the Vancouver Children’s Literature Roundtable. Ms. Lemieux was delighted to see his original illustrations. Now, Sharing-Books readers too have a chance to share her delight in our recent re-release of his 1888 edition.

Here at Sharing-Books, you will find some of your favourite stories and discover new ones. This week, illustrator E.R. Stanton shares her wonderful watercolour that illustrates Robert Louis Stevenson’s poem, “To the Seaside.” Doesn’t it dispel a gray day and make you long for summer by the beach?

Labels: classics, ebooks, Lear, Lemieux, limericks