Exploring the Impact of Children's Literature: A Reflection

This assignment is a reflective paper where the student explores their personal connection with children's literature. The student recounts their childhood memories, specifically highlighting the influence of Ruskin Bond's books and the experience of being read to by their grandfather. The paper emphasizes the impact of these stories on shaping their values, such as appreciating simplicity, family, and the joy found in small things. The student reflects on how these early experiences have influenced their current perspective and lifestyle, underscoring the enduring power of children's literature in fostering imagination and personal growth. The paper connects these experiences to their cultural background and family life, offering insights into how literature has shaped their identity and worldview.

Running head: CHILDREN’S LITERATURE
CHILDREN’S LITERATURE
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1CHILDREN’S LITERATURE
Children’s literature has a huge role to play in my life and has helped in shaping my life to a
great extent. My experiences of children’s literature always brings back my childhood memories
when I use to spend time with my grandfather during the holiday season where he used read out
stories to me.
My grandfather often used to read out books by the Indian author, Ruskin Bond. I remember
one of my favorite books that he had read out to me was the book, Rusty, the boy from the hills. This
book was loosely based on the childhood of Ruskin Bond himself during the times when he used to
visit his grandfather in Dehradun, a city in Uttarakhand, India.
I am from India and I come from a simple family where values and family is very important
to us. Since my childhood, I was taught about the value of making memories, the happiness that
comes from staying with your family and friends. I have never been a materialistic and have always
found pleasure in little things. I was always close to my grandparents and would always visit them
during the holidays where they use to take me to small fairs, to the park to play and take me to places
where I would gain some knowledge rather than pampering me with toys and gifts. The thing I
received from them was love which made my experience very nice whenever I use to visit them. I
distinctly and clearly remember these experiences because in recent times I do not get to experience
this anymore.
Even today I like exploring and find happiness in small things like a small chat with my
friends and family, going to small places and exploring new things rather than making an expensive
purchase. I believe that this is partly because of the influence of the stories written in children’s book.
Rusty, the boy from hills highly shows the fun and joy in simple things and the positive relationship
with his grandfather which has had a huge impact on my life.
Children’s stories are always simple and I believe that children’s stories help you imagine and
always teach you to appreciate the small things in lives and respect the feelings of others and also
helps you to grow your imagination. I think that the book by Ruskin Bond, Rusty, the boy from the

2CHILDREN’S LITERATURE
hills has helped me to become who I am today who enjoys simplicity and finds peace by being with
my family and friends.