Searching for answers; opening doors

 “We learn more by looking for theanswer to a question and not finding it than we do from learning the answeritself.” –Lloyd Alexander

 

Born in Philadelphia on this datein 1924, Alexander authored more than 40 books, primarily fantasy novels forchildren and young adults. His most famous work The High King, partof his “Chronicles of Prydain” series, won the Newbery Medal forexcellence in American children's literature.    Healso was awarded two U.S. National Book Awards.

Alexander grew up with a deep love of reading, particularly adventures andclassics.  “Shakespeare, Dickens, Mark Twain, and so many others weremy dearest friends and greatest teachers,” he said.   While henever finished college, his writing eventually earned him several“writer-in-residence” opportunities at colleges and universities – anexperience he said was like being a favorite uncle who comes in and spoils thekids and then leaves them to their parents at days’ end.

 

A World War II veteran, Alexander –who died in 2007 – spent time in Wales late in the war and the landscape andhistory he discovered there shaped a number of his fantasynovels.   Enamored with adventures and tales of knights anddragons, he went into the army to get a taste of adventure forhimself.  

 

“I decided,” he said, “that my ownadventure was the best way to learn about writing.”