365 Days of Wonder

I’m a sucker for inspirational quotes.  Like many people, I have a Pinterest Board of Favorite Quotations.  But I particularly revel in printed collections of quotations.  In July I shared a book of hand-lettered quotes that I purchased called, Whatever You Are Be a Good One.  I love the art of each page, and I am still debating whether or not to pull out some of them to frame.

365 Days of Wonder is in no danger of being torn apart.  Most of the pages are printed in simple fonts that belie the wisdom of the sentences.  However, it is a book that I treasure because of a few other aspects that make it unique.

The book might be called a “spin-off.”  The quotes were collected by R.J. Palacio, author of Wonder.  Its foreword and subsequent introductions before each month of inspirational sayings are “written” by one of the admirable characters in Wonder, Mr. Browne. In Wonder, Mr. Browne’s precepts play an important role in guiding the characters.  365 Days of Wonder offers more advice that he has collected during his fictional career – including precepts submitted by children. All of the contributors are acknowledged in the back of the book.

I could be partial to this book because of Mr. Browne.  I am currently re-reading To Kill a Mockingbird, and he reminds me somewhat of the noble Atticus Finch.   It’s hard to remember, sometimes, that the words I’m reading come from an author and not the seasoned educator portrayed in the book. For example, these words herald the beginning of the February group of quotations: “The truth of the matter is this: there’s so much nobility lurking inside your souls.  Our job as parents, and educators, and teachers, is to nurture it, to bring it out, and to let it shine.”

R.J. Palacio is responsible for quite a few original precepts of her own.