Weekend Writing: Remembering Beverly Cleary

"If you don't see the book you want on the shelf, write it." - Beverly Cleary 

For years, this quote from Beverly Cleary has been one of the most inspirational, influential quotes for my writing. If I'm not seeing the books I want to read on bookshelves, I should write them myself. It's simple advice, but it has impacted me in more ways than I could describe in this blog post. 

On March 25, 2021, Cleary passed away at 104 years old. The news rocked the literary world. Cleary was one of the greatest children's book authors of all time. Growing up, everyone in elementary school read her books. For many of them, they were the first books they couldn't put down. 

Cleary wrote the following books:

• Henry Huggins series (1950)
• Ellen Tebbits (1951) 
• Otis Spofford (1953) 
• Beezus and Ramona series (1955) 
• Fifteen (1956)
• The Luckiest Girl (1958) 
• Jean and Johnny (1959) 
• The Hullabaloo ABC (1960) 
• The Real Hole (1960) 
• Leave It to Beaver series (1960) 
• Two Dog Biscuits (1961)
• Emily's Runaway Imagination (1961)
• Sister of the Bride (1963)
• Ribsy (1964) 
• The Mouse and the Motorcycle (1965)
• The Growing-Up Feet (1967)
• Mitch and Amy (1967) 
• Runaway Ralph (1970) 
• Socks (1973)
• Ralph S. Mouse (1982)
• Dear Mr. Henshaw (1983)
• Lucky Chuck (1984)
• Janet's Thingamajigs (1987)
• A Girl from Yamhill: A Memoir (1988)
• Muggie Maggie (1990)
• Strider (1991)
• Petey's Bedtime Story (1993)
• My Own Two Feet: A Memoir (1995)

Beverly Cleary's books (photo/Book Riot).

As you can see, Cleary wrote many memorable children's books. She accomplished something that many writers attempted but failed at: writing about how childhood really is. They're realistic, compelling stories about children you could meet on the street. Her books are about how children behave and their common, day-to-day adventures. Her characters are individuals. They're deep (well, as deep as children can be), and they make observations about their surroundings. 

Cleary wrote books for children because she wanted them to fall in love with reading at a young age. She wanted to educate them that reading can be fun. It's not a chore. It's not just a homework assignment for school. Reading is an adventure. Since her first published book in 1950, children have gone on realistic adventures they can imagine. They can be Ramona and Beezus. They can be Henry Huggins. They can even imagine seeing a mouse riding a motorcycle. 

(photo/Pinterest)

Cleary wrote for children. She wrote for children who needed honest stories. Now that she has passed away, her stories are what we have to remember her legacy. Her books are her gift to children. We will always have her stories, so more children can enjoy her books for many years to come. 

In loving memory of Beverly Cleary, who wanted to be remembered for writing children's stories. She said, "I hope children will be happy with the books I've written, and go on to be readers all of their lives." 

Don't worry, Beverly. They will. They will never lose their passion for reading stories and seeking the adventures within the pages of a book. They will always be readers. How do I know this? 

Because I'm one of them. 

-KJL-

Beverly Cleary (photo/A Shroud of Thoughts - blogger)