Several weeks ago, while scrolling through my Instagram feed, I noticed photos belonging to author Beverly Cleary. Seeing Beverly Cleary’s titles highlighted on Instagram for the first time was confusing for me. Her works didn’t seem to correspond with the novels I previewed earlier. Absentmindedly, I wondered about the significance behind the visuals capturing Beverly Cleary’s books.
Without hesitation, I signed out of Instagram and turned towards my web browser. Then, I started searching the internet for information about Beverly Cleary. Seconds later, words flickered across the screen-filling me with sadness as I read about her death.
Beverly Cleary was an incredible author of children’s literature. Initially, Beverly started her career as a librarian. She wrote books as a response to requests from children who were eager for stories with relatable characters. Accordingly, Beverly wrote about the type of experiences she encountered as a young girl growing up in Portland, Oregon. Naturally, Beverly’s books were popular and well received. She had an uncanny ability to write books about the nuances of life that mattered to children. Amazingly, readers reveal Beverly’s stories still ring true to this day.
Her ingenious spark found homage in her storytelling and our own lives. During my son Paul’s earlier years we had an assortment of Beverly Cleary’s characters residing in our house.
Our initial guest was Henry Huggins accompanied by Ribsy. Following their departure, Otis Spofford appeared. Otis inspired my son Paul to spend his allowance on an authentic pair of cowboy spurs. While Paul proudly wore his spurs, Ellen Tibbits showed up. After Ellen left, Beezus and Ramona moved in.
Somehow, Ramona and her family came to be permanent figures in our modest home. One afternoon, I spotted a Ramona Quimby book on cassette at the library and checked it out for Paul. That evening, he became hooked while listening to Ramona’s narrative on tape. Within no time, Paul had an entire basket full of Beverly Cleary’s cassettes. He seemingly never grew tired of the Quimby family’s auditory presence carrying on in the background. Ramona empowered Paul with her courage, and her willingness to stand up for herself. He learned about inter-familial relations and displayed empathy for Ramona when she felt misunderstood. Lastly, Ramona gave Paul so many occasions to laugh.
Most recently, when I spoke to Paul on the phone, during our conversation, I asked him if he remembered Beverly Cleary. He said that he did. Paul and I reminisced about Ramona’s infectious nature. Finally, I told Paul that Beverly Cleary had passed away at the age of 104. I conveyed my feelings of disbelief. Paul paused briefly before reminding me that although her passing was sad, he said
I should think about all the gifts Beverly Cleary left behind for the world to enjoy.
He ended by sharing his belief that
Beverly Cleary would live on forever in her books.
