But I'll Be Back Again is an honest and forthright autobiography in which Cynthia Rylant divulges the experiences that inspired her as an author. Rylant's childhood was consumed by adversity but she was fortunate to have had extended family to depend on during difficult times. Rylant lived with her grandparents when Rylant's mother decided to pursue nursing school. Rylant's father abandoned the family entirely and he was consumed by alcoholism. Rylant explained the impact her parents leaving had on her self-concept as a child. Rylant captured the sentiment that is probably felt by most children who suffer feelings of unworthiness as a result of parental abandonment, divorce, etc. Rylant's outlet for expressing these experiences was through writing. Rylant's books are retrospective and they speak to the powerful effect of family and community.
Although Rylant suffered hardships as a result of her mother and father, Rylant was able to find her voice and purpose through writing. This did not happen instantaneously, however. Through Rylant's accounts, we learn of the many experiences, events, and developmental/social hurdles Rylant had to tackle before she came upon the realization that she had a gift for writing. We learn how highly she regarded the time she spent with her grandparents during a time when she felt unwanted by her mother and father. This childhood memory was the source of inspiration for her Caldecott award winning book When I Was Young in the Mountains.
We also are provided with candid details of Rylant's experiences with boys when she became older. Eventually, Rylant lived with her mother in Beaver, West Virginia. According to Rylant's descriptions, she had many relations with boys her age and this caused tension between her and her mother. Her mother ultimately wanted to protect her, but Rylant described these times as events that helped shape her.
Many of the accounts of growing up that Rylant discusses are shared by countless others. However, the impact of her parents' abandonment and her rural upbringing with extended family are the elements of her life that Rylant incorporates throughout many of her books. Like many children of her time, Rylant idolized the Beatles and imagined being swept off her feet by Paul McCartney. I was surprised, however, about Rylant's fascination with Bobby Kennedy. Rylant revealed that the deaths of Lennon and Kennedy profoundly impacted her growing up. Rylant experienced a great sense of loss not only in her personal life, but she also shared in the grief of a nation.
Rylant's autobiography elucidated the sources for her inspiration as an author. So many of her experiences are brought forth in her children's books. I can't wait to go back and re-read Rylant's books to make deeper connections between her fictional stories and real life experiences.
Although Rylant suffered hardships as a result of her mother and father, Rylant was able to find her voice and purpose through writing. This did not happen instantaneously, however. Through Rylant's accounts, we learn of the many experiences, events, and developmental/social hurdles Rylant had to tackle before she came upon the realization that she had a gift for writing. We learn how highly she regarded the time she spent with her grandparents during a time when she felt unwanted by her mother and father. This childhood memory was the source of inspiration for her Caldecott award winning book When I Was Young in the Mountains.
We also are provided with candid details of Rylant's experiences with boys when she became older. Eventually, Rylant lived with her mother in Beaver, West Virginia. According to Rylant's descriptions, she had many relations with boys her age and this caused tension between her and her mother. Her mother ultimately wanted to protect her, but Rylant described these times as events that helped shape her.
Many of the accounts of growing up that Rylant discusses are shared by countless others. However, the impact of her parents' abandonment and her rural upbringing with extended family are the elements of her life that Rylant incorporates throughout many of her books. Like many children of her time, Rylant idolized the Beatles and imagined being swept off her feet by Paul McCartney. I was surprised, however, about Rylant's fascination with Bobby Kennedy. Rylant revealed that the deaths of Lennon and Kennedy profoundly impacted her growing up. Rylant experienced a great sense of loss not only in her personal life, but she also shared in the grief of a nation.
Rylant's autobiography elucidated the sources for her inspiration as an author. So many of her experiences are brought forth in her children's books. I can't wait to go back and re-read Rylant's books to make deeper connections between her fictional stories and real life experiences.
