Meindert DeJong does a very good job of writing from children's point of view. The style of writing at the end of Lina's story, circular perhaps because she has no more to say but feels she hasn't said enough, is wonderfully childlike and the later scences from the points of view of younger children are very well done. Early on the narrative takes a number of branches, I liked the way this let us get to know each of the children in more depth but it lacked that mad joy of trying something impossible that runs through much of the rest of the book. As the children's paths cross, and particularly with the introduction of Janus and Douwa, this spirit comes back. New people freshly enraptured by the idea of storks reignite that early passion that had faded as dreams encountered practicality. These changes of pace allow us to fully empathise with the project's highs and lows, making us participants, not just observers, making the faliures our faliures and the successes our successes. Maurice Sendak's illustrations add another dimension, most seem to be depicted looking away from the reader, much more interested in what they are doing than what others might think of them. This self assurance in part comes from purpose, they have a clear purpose which they aim at for its own sake rather than to entertain or please others. This is again a powerful lesson for education, the power of purpose in transforming children from actors playing at learning to participants with skin in the game.

I want to add a little note that many of the ideas in this blog crystalised while writing it showing the value of deeper reflection on books of the kind we get through talk. I would encourage anyone who loves a bit of book talk to write about books too as it provides many of the same intellectual pleasures.