I just finished reading a book I loved as a kid―The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet, by Eleanor Cameron. I loved it just as much now!The whole amazing story came back to me as I read it. Tyco Bass, and Mrs. Pennyfeather, and the tiny planet only 50,000 miles away that could be seen only with the aid of a stroboscopic filter. Dave, and Chuck, and their wonderful spaceship made of old boat parts.
I think this may have been the book that got me started on sci fi. Tyco Bass has never left me.
As a matter of fact, he makes a guest appearance in Death Over Easy!
"No, they might never set foot on Basidium again.
Still, thought David, as long as they possessed
Mr. Bass's filter, that far green world was theirs.
The wonderful flight to the Mushroom Planet
could be taken in the twirl of a dial and the wink
of an eye, and Basidium had not been lost after all."
6 comments:
Oh golly! Oh golly! Oh golly! No wonder we are kindred spirits. I loved that book TOO! Now I need to read it again. I can't believe that Tyco Bass is in your book. Wow. A.
Ah, memories! Isn't it interesting how some childhood favorites stand the test of time, while others leave you scratching your head wondering what attracted you? Thanks for the trip back in time--or to the Mushroom Planet!
Amy! :) Eleanor Cameron so well captured the spirit of adventure as well as the connection - almost love - between the boys and Tyco Bass and the Basidiumites, followed by the bittersweet sense of loss/separation, and even of growing up. She really did it, all in one simple, straightforward story. I've learned so much about the art of writing from rereading it.
Jane, have you revisited any books you loved as a child? What did you still enjoy, and what disappointed? I also reread Tom's Midnight Garden not long ago, and still loved that book, too.
I discovered those books (they're a series, you know) after reading Eleanor Cameron's THE GREEN AND BURNING TREE, a collection of her essays on children's literature. In it, she discusses the serendipitous way she came to write about the Mushroom Planet. Another great book for finding references to children's books is TURN NOT PALE, BELOVED SNAIL, by Jacqueline Jackson. That's where I discovered the Moomins. Jackson's book is about the writing journals her daughters kept as kids--full of inspiration.
Marileta, I just got home from the library where I was picking up an interloaned copy of The Green and Burning Tree that I had reserved! And there was your comment. :) I'm pretty sure I read the book, or parts of it, many years ago, but am eager to delve into it again. Somehow I think I want to learn from Cameron's straightforward, yet powerful, writing. It's not fancy, just real.
I have all the Moomin books, haven't yet ventured into the comic book versions. Thanks for the recommendation of the book by Jacqueline Jackson. It's on my list.
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