children’s books

My Reaction to “Charlotte’s Web” Being Named as a Banned Book

Posted by Barbara Techel

“Why did you do all this for me?’ Wilbur asked. ‘I don’t deserve it. I’ve never done anything for you.’ ‘You have been my friend,’ replied Charlotte. ‘That in itself is a tremendous thing. I wove my webs for you because I liked you. After all, what’s a life, anyway? We’re born, we live a little while, we die… By helping you, perhaps I was trying to lift up my life a trifle.

Heaven knows anyone’s life can stand a little of that.”

~From Charlotte’s Web by Elwyn Brooks, “E.B.

Honestly. Banned?! What the heck?!

When I saw this post on Facebook the other day I was sad and mad all at the same time.

Then I was happy to see the reason to read the book included on the banner.

One of my all time favorite books as a child, and yes, I’ve even re-read it a few times in my adult years, as well as watched the film a few times also. I know I’m not alone.

Still thinking about this two days later it flashed through my mind the beautiful healing I had a few years ago with Spider that led me to uncover a deeper meaning and in relation to Charlotte’s Web. I felt called to write about this and shed some more light on the profound power of animal wisdom.

Because honestly, really, one of the reasons this book is banned is due to the “portrayal of talking animals?” What has happened to encouraging and instilling imagination in our children?! This is what creates the potential of a world where adults can live from the core of their hearts and be who we truly are. Something we have been sadly lacking in many cases for many years.

And as someone who has had (and continues to!) deep and meaningful connections with animals, and yes ‘hearing’ them, this just really has me shaking my head in deep disappointment. I wouldn’t be where I am today were it not for the animals that share the planet with us. They’ve been my confidants, my healers, and my companions who have loved me unconditionally.

Okay. I think you can tell this has me a bit fired up.

So, back to Spider and Charlotte’s Web and a healing that occurred for me.

It was back in 2019 when I agreed to take part in an exercise for a book that was being written by my friend, Dawn, called Shadow Animals – How Animals We Fear Can Help Us Heal, Transform, and Awaken.

The animal I feared that I chose to work with was spider.

I was taken through a series of questions.

When asked what I most dislike about spiders I said that they are fast, sneaky, and creepy.

I then shared with Dawn how spiders are creepy that had me drilling down deeper and how this makes me feel dirty. I was surprised by my sharing that and wondered what that was about.

Describing spider as sneaky made me feel like they are hiding something from me. And fast for me was about a control issue because I feel as if I can’t control them when they move toward me so fast.

As we explored this more, I shared, in part, how trust is big for me and that it takes a lot for me to trust another person.

Upon further reflection describing spider as creepy which led to my sharing that they feel dirty led me to the memory of my childhood wound of abuse. Because the situation was creepy and felt dirty plus fast and sneaky. I also felt no control over what was happening.

It was a rush of emotions that moved through me quite quickly.

After the initial exercise Spider would continue to bring insight for me.

Spider in one aspect represented trauma. But something that surprised me when invited to reflect on what Spider may offer as a gift or teaching, I was reminded of the book and film, Charlotte’s Web. How I loved that Charlotte was an advocate for Wilbur, listening to him, and assuring him all would be okay. She was just so kind and loving.

It was during that time that I’d watch the film again and found myself in tears for the unveiling of yet another layer of the trauma that was ready to be released.

And over time with inner work and reaching out for help, I realized how I became the Charlotte of my own life, listening to the scared little girl within me. The one who couldn’t speak or share her feelings of what had happened.

So spider, while yes, can represent the difficult and shadow aspects of self, Charlotte being the gentle and kind teacher helped set me free with another layer of pain that was released.

And I come full circle now to the line in the quote above that has my eyes filling with tears as I write this:

“By helping you, perhaps I was trying to lift up my life a trifle.”

This is what animals have done time and time again for me and for so many others too. And I will always take a stand to share their wisdom.

And why banning Charlotte’s Web does so much more harm than good. And I just had to share my thoughts. Because seriously, the world is not black and white or this or that. The world speaks to us in so many extraordinary ways and I really feel the banning of this book – and the censorship of so many other things too – is a wake up call to each of us.

Thanks for listening!

P.S. and yes! to what my friend and colleague, Cara Gubbins said in her reaction: “Let’s all read it again and share it with a kid not just because it’s a great book but also to counteract this weird censorship that is sweeping our nation.”

XO

Barb

    

A Garden Close to My Heart Celebrates Ten Years. Hint: Frankie Lives on Here.

Posted by Barbara Techel

I remember how nervous I was sending a copy of my children’s book, Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog, to the founder, Sandy, asking if there was a possibility Frankie’s book could be included in Bookworm Gardens as it was just getting off the ground of being built.

I remember how I was overjoyed when she said that of course, she wanted to include Frankie.

I remember watching as John took great pride in building this dog house to represent Frankie and her book.

I remember how joyously overwhelmed I felt in gratitude to my mom and her husband and a special foundation that funded the effort for Frankie to have a spot in the gardens.

I still remember like it was yesterday as I watched John and a friend wheel Frankie’s house down a path paved in brick to a permanent spot in this children’s garden in Sheboygan, Wisconsin called Bookwork Gardens.

This spring Bookworm Gardens will celebrate their tenth year. It was two years after the installation of Frankie’s special place in the garden that she would pass away.

I remember it was a month later that I mustered up the courage to go visit her in the gardens and my mom went with me. I’d never hold that sweet girl in my arms again. I was overwhelmed with emotion when I saw the replica of her again since she’d been gone.

It was mixed with sadness, the uncertainty of what the next leg of my journey would be without her, and a deep sense of honor that she lives on in the garden. And the ache of grief was still acute at that point and I wondered how I’d go on without her.

Now learning it has been ten years since Bookworm Gardens came to be, I’m marveling at how far I have come.

It was Frankie who instilled in me a confidence I didn’t have before she came into my life and then became paralyzed. She brought me out of my introverted shell as we visited over 400 schools and libraries sharing her story and becoming a therapy dog team logging a combined 250 visits to a senior assisted facility, a local hospice, and a local hospital.

My world and my perspective on life expanded beyond anything I could have imagined because of the journey I took with this very special wheelie dog.

And I’m reminded all over again as I move through a myriad of memories that I feel so honored to permanently have this as part of my heart.

If you are in the Sheboygan, WI area or planning a visit here is the 2020 schedule of events for this special garden, which by the way, is free of charge to visit.

And if you go, please give Frankie a squeeze for me.  😉

xo,

Barbara

Vintage Camper, Inspiring New Author & Sweet Zoe the Dog Makes for A Heart Fulfilled Day

Posted by Barbara Techel
Me and Zoe

On Monday I spent part of the day inside a fixed up vintage camper named Beatrice. It’s a quaint and delightful writing retreat that rests on the property of my friend Lori Helke. It was her dream to have a space of her own and with the help of her husband, they renovated the camper which now has a book about her story!

Beatrice will be traveling this summer in Wisconsin as Lori will be doing some book signing events with her newly published children’s book.

I spent the morning interviewing Lori inside her Paris themed camper. I’ll be sharing the interview, plus photos of Beatrice this Sunday in my newsletter and right here on my blog. So stay tuned!

We had so much fun! I think you’ll find the interview inspiring and insightful. We talked about Lori’s love of travel and how it fulfills a special space in her heart, overcoming fear, the inner journey, mid-life, the power of an oracle reading, and her children’s book, plus a sneak peek at what she is working on writing next.

It really made my day that Lori’s dog, Zoe wanted to be with us inside Beatrice. She even jumped up on the bench next to me and let me hug and pet her all I wanted. I think she knew my heart needed it.

Here’s a sneak peek of Lori’s children’s book. I smiled the whole way through reading it when I got home yesterday. It’s endearing, touching, funny, and heartwarming. And Zoe is on the cover!

You can get a signed copy on Lori’s website here.

I can’t wait to share the interview with you soon!

XO,

Barbara

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