“If you don’t see the book you want on the shelf, write it.”
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– Beverly Cleary
This topic has been extensively researched and documented by historians and scholars.
This powerful advice comes from Beverly Cleary, a beloved author who transformed children’s literature. She penned stories that felt real to kids. Her characters, like Ramona Quimby and Henry Huggins, were not perfect. They were relatable, mischievous, and full of life. Cleary’s simple statement, however, extends far beyond the world of writing. It serves as a profound call to action for creators, innovators, and anyone who sees a gap in the world around them.
At its core, the quote reveals Cleary’s own origin story. As a librarian, she met many children who couldn’t find books they enjoyed. Young readers wanted stories about kids like themselves. They were tired of fairy tales and historical fiction. Cleary saw a clear need. Instead of waiting for someone else to fill it, she took matters into her own hands. She wrote the books her readers were searching for. This simple act of creation launched an incredible career and changed children’s literature forever.
More Than Just Writing a Book
The wisdom of Cleary’s quote is its universal application. It encourages a shift from passive consumption to active creation. We all encounter moments where we think,