jane's blanket

If I had to pick five items (other than my family, of course) that were most dear to me, this book would certainly be one of them.  It's Jane's Blanket, by Arthur Miller.  Yup, the Arthur Miller.  It was part of a series of books published in the 1960s called "Modern Master Books for Children," which included books by Theodore Roethke, Pearl S. Buck, and William Saroyan, among many others.  I only have this one, and it is all I need.  Ever.

 

You may have guessed by now that I had a beloved blanket, so I identify very closely with Jane.  This book is so much a part of my childhood that I honestly can't separate the two.  My mother, bless her heart, would send me off to pick a  few books to read before bedtime each night, and each night I would bring this book back.  And it's pretty long, especially by today's standards.  It probably takes a good thirty minutes to read.  But read it she did.  Every night, for years.

 

The pictures are permanently embedded in my conciousness...Al Parker did amazing work here.

 

This picture of Jane's baby room is with me always.  I could tell you every item in it, at any time.

 

So, the story?  Well, it's about childhood, and the things you love, and how you grow, but you don't want to, but you do, and then you have to give up the things you once thought you could never live without.  And how that's okay.  A little bit sad, a little bit happy.  It's about Jane, and her baby blanket.

 

Ultimately, Jane's blanket is washed so many times, and loved so much, that it becomes tiny and threadbare.  And she grows, and can't wrap herself in it like she once did.

  

Eventually, it's just the size of a washcloth, and she puts it on her windowsill, and the birds take pieces of it for their nests.  Until there's just one little thread left, and Jane is happy that her blanket keeps the birds warm, because she doesn't need it anymore.

When I was around 10, I still loved this book, as one of my very best things.  We moved that year, a very diffucult move wherein our family all but disintegrated.  During the move, somehow my copy of Jane's Blanket disappeared, and I was devastated.  Of course, I moved on...but years later, my mother located another copy (at no small expense), and gave it to me for my birthday.

I know.  She's incredible like that. 

And now I read it to my kids, especailly Sofie, who is a blanket-girl, as well.  But I have yet to get through it without crying!  Maybe one day...

But I'd love to know:  do you have a special item like this?  That signifies your childhood to you?  Do you still have it?  Please share, if you'd like to...

Cheers!

Comments

[katie]

i've never read that book. but i wish i would have! reading this blog made me burst into tears! hopefully we can find a copy someday. [i had a small pink blanket as well and now my toddler uses it. only she tears holes for her fingers and hands to get through and pulls out the batting. it makes me sad but she loves it so much that i could never take it away...]

oh goodness, i'm totally going to start crying again.
thank you so much for sharing this! it's so special!

<3katie

[Brenda]

I've been looking for this book for years. I was the model for the illustrations! My mother also modeled for Al Parker, the illustrator, for a nursing stamp. I used to own the book but haven't seen it for decades now. Thanks for posting.

[Amy]

Brenda--that's incredible! I am so excited about your visiting me here. This truly is one of my most precious possessions, and to think that you were the model for little Jane! How delightful...I hope you can find a copy for yourself--you certainly should have one. Thank you so much for stopping by and saying hello--it's an honor!

[Debra]

This book was a birthday gift when I turned 7. I still have my (very worn) copy - it is a treasure!