“The Herdmans were absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world.” The iconic line opens a pandora’s box filled with surprises, learnings, wisdom, and joyous festivities.
It’s that time of the year again when we return back to our little cozy Christmas books. We read, celebrate, and grow as human beings. Barbara Robinson’s books invite us on a journey to those innocent adventures. Robinson was an American author of children’s literature, popular for her beautiful blend of humourous and deeply meaningful stories, intertwined seamlessly with tender human values.
Robinson began writing at an early age. Her mother instilled within her a love for books and storytelling. At a young age, she began contributing to magazines such as McCall’s, Red Book, Good Housekeeping, etc.
‘The Best Christmas Pageant ever’, Robinson’s most celebrated book, was an extended novelistic version of her own short story from McCall’s titled ‘The Christmas Pageant’. The widely lauded book centers around a bunch of notorious Herdman children who transition through Christmas into a different bunch of kids altogether. A holiday favorite across the board, it has grown to become a familiar tale in every school and household over the years and decades.
The objectivity that Robinson brought together in this book makes us understand people around us who might think and function differently, but our non-judgemental perspective could allow them to make peace with the world. She treats her characters with dignity, respect, love, and care. Every kid deserves so. And she wouldn’t discriminate.
Having grown up in a small Ohio town, the environment around infinitely fueled her creative brain. Her parents, her extended family, all the mundane neighborhood faces, and all of the vibrant small-town life contributed to her writings in some or the other capacity.
‘The Best School Year Ever’ and ‘The Best Halloween Ever’ were the 2 sequels to Robinson’s highly appreciated Christmas saga. ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ kept on strengthening its legacy with play adaptations, movie adaptations, etc.
Robinson’s other books include the likes of ‘Across the Indian Shore’, ‘Trace Through the Forest’, ‘The fattest bear in the first grade’, ‘Temporary times temporary places’, and many more. She consistently wrote short stories and articles extensively for children’s magazines and publications. One of her lovely short collections is named ‘My Brother Louis measures worms and other louis stories’.
Robinson wrote in a way that made her young readers actively engage with the text. It made them chuckle, and it made them think. It helped them wonder, imagine, and live optimistically.
With a heartwarming sense of humor to fall back upon, amidst sensitively nurtured characters and a pitch-pure worldview; Barbara Robinson left us with a goldmine of stories and life lessons.
It’s that time of the year again!
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