Childhood

With warmth, wit, and close attention to the smallest details, this thoughtful collection explores the inner world of childhood. It begins with the things children hold dear: familiar toys, beloved dolls, and the emotional bonds that make an object precious long after its paint has faded or its head has been replaced. Along the way, it questions the grown-up habit of imposing adult humor and taste on children, especially when choosing grotesque or fragile gifts.

The essays also consider children’s fears, their imaginative attempts to understand strangers, and the serious tenderness behind their games. A child confronted by a frightening figure becomes an occasion for examining courage, sympathy, and the wish to discover some human likeness in what seems monstrous. Drawing on scenes from family life, art, Shakespeare, and beloved children’s literature, the book offers an affectionate, perceptive meditation on memory, innocence, and the rich intelligence of early experience.