SHERRY HARTZLER - BOOKS FOR WOMEN: FOR THE LOVE OF DICK AND JANE

Beginning a new writing project, I pull out my dog-eared copies of On Writing Well, by William Zinsser, and The Elements of Style, by Strunk/White/Kalman, and begin my mental mantra of “Why do write? Why do I write? Why do I write?”

Certainly, I don't write for money or fame. Like most writers out there plugging away at the keyboard, I have more lint in my pockets than coins. Truth is, I fell in love with books the moment I opened my first Dick and Jane primer, which is exactly why I need to be reminded to keep my writing simple and to the point, following the old adage, “Less is More”.

Back in the old-timey days, during the forties, fifties and throughout most of the sixties many classrooms used the Dick and Jane series. Dick, the clean-cut older brother, Jane, the innocuous middle child, and Sally, the cute three year old with a riot of blond curls, all coming to life in those sweet stories of sibling hijinks, along with their dog, Spot, and cat, Puff. (Note: Did you know that Spot was originally a terrier instead of a Cocker Spaniel?) These stories taught us to repeat words such as up, down, Oh, come, help, run, look, work, balloon, and rain. Teaching manuals referred to these as “sight words” or “whole word” learning, instead of phonetically sounding out words.

Dick and Jane primers first appeared in the classrooms in 1930, through Scott-Foresman Publishing Company, with expert, William S. Gray, and Zerna Sharp, illustrator. (Note: Ms. Sharp often used the Sears Catalog as a reference for the children's clothing styles) Together, they devised basic primers with identifiable characters and stories meant to appeal to young age groups.

By the 1970’s, the experts complained that Dick and Jane didn’t do such a great job teaching us “baby boomers” how to read. And so, with little or no fanfare, the educators canned Dick and Jane. Could it be that modern educators tend to over-analyze and complicate "the basics" when it comes to keeping reading simple and a fun learning experience? Just sayin'

I want to share a few quotes from the fabulous Mark Twain, whose down to earth witticisms and homespun stories are still loved and appreciated in our so-called modern world:

“The world doesn’t owe you anything. It was here first.”

“All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence, then success is sure.”

“Never allow anyone to be your priority, while allowing yourself to be their option.”

“Censorship is telling a man he can’t have a steak, because a baby can’t chew it.”

"When you catch an adjective, kill it. No, I don't mean utterly, but kill most of them—then the rest will be valuable. They weaken when close together. They give strength when they are wide apart."—Mark Twain, letter to a 12-year-old boy.

Now, without further ado, I’ll collect my ragtag books, On Writing Well, and The Elements of Style, and go to my reading corner and tuck a couple of comfortable pillows under my bum and begin to read, hopefully at a higher grade level than the naysayers of Dick and Jane say I, as a baby boomer, am capable of comprehending. Tsk Tsk.

By the way, if you happen to come across a copy of On Writing Well, check out Chapter 2 - Simplicity