It was good to see fellow British Studies 2007 traveler, Kathy, at the annual children's literature McConnell Conference in Lexington, KY. We talked about things that have happened in our lives since British Summer Studies 2007 and reminisced about those good times in England and Scotland. Both Kathy and I were able to "pass the torch" to another conference attendee and UK student who is preparing to join British Summer Studies 2009. I wish I could go. At the conference banquet dinner, Kathy and I spoke with a fellow librarian and dinner-table guest who was born and raised in England but now lives in Kentucky. Someone else at the table had toured England as part of a church choir. She recalled singing at the beautiful Ely Cathedral.
Children's author Gary Schmidt from Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan, was the keynote speaker. His speech was a good one. He pondered and asked us to consider how children are mentally able to make the transition from childhood to adulthood. What happens during their development that enables them to make adult-like decisions instead of child-like decisions? What compels this change of view? Schmidt, of course, thinks good children's literature has something to do with it. What is good children's literature? Schmidt blindsided us with a slam from St. Augustine, saying good literature must serve. If a piece of literature serves, then the other attendant virtues of good literature, such as wisdom, will follow. The only downside to Schmidt's speech was his gushing over Obama.
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