Review

There are things only a children’s book can do. They can be a key for a part of the imagination that many lock and seal off as they get older. But it’s not a part that can be easily spared. It’s the part that allows you to believe in the possibility of bold civic transformation and resistance, of vows that endure, of huge undoings and redoings.

Take the key.

Unlock the door.

– Katherine Rundell, ‘Magnificent Disasters’, 12:58-13.38

This is a series of five essays about the value of children’s literature (“five original essays on the power and politics of children’s fiction” as per the BBC Sounds website), written and read by Katherine Rundell, and it’s absolutely magic.

Rundell is disgustingly talented and knowledgeable. She’s a prizewinning children’s author, a prizewinning adult nonfiction author, a fellow of All Souls College (Oxford) and she can walk tightropes in high heels. I haven’t read any of her books (although I have got her book about John Donne on my TBR pile…), but now I will have to read them all.

These beautifully performed essays, about 15 minutes long, are just wonderful. Rundell speaks with intelligence, erudition, humour and heart about the vital importance of good children’s literature. Preaching to the choir!

1. Magnificent Disasters: great authors who have tried to write children’s fiction and failed miserably. Her Tolstoy story is hilarious.

2. The Lion and the Witch: about depictions of good, evil and justice in children’s fiction.

3. The Ingredients: what makes a good and lasting children’s novel? (She offers a short list of common threads at 2:15, if you’re in a hurry – but don’t be!)

4. The Magic of Magic: the power and insight of the fantasy genre. (“Fantasy,” says Rundell, “is philosophy’s more gorgeously painted cousin” 0:42).

5. The Looking Glass: the importance of books as “engines of wonder” (1:56). Rundell also gives a shout out to the importance of libraries (6:18 – 8.17) and goes on to talk about the impact of smartphones (from 8.58). 10 out of 10 for the very end of this essay – she really sticks the landing.

This is an instant classic and an absolute delight. I’m so happy I listened to it. I will come back to it again and again.

Rundell, K. (2024, October 14). The lion, the witch and the wonder [Audio essays]. BBC Radio 4. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m0023x8p

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• Images are used on this blog post under the “Fair dealing for criticism or review” provision of the Commonwealth Copyright Act, 1968.
• Screenshot of essay series on my phone.
• Mobile phone border and background from Canva.