Art Quote by Maria Tatar
““Magic happens when the wand of language strikes a stone and makes it melt, touches a spindle and turns it into gold, or taps a trunk and makes it fly. By drawing on a syntax of enchantment that conjures fluidity, ethereality, flimsiness, and transparency, writers turn solidity into resplendent airy lightness to produce miracles of linguistic transubstantiation. What is the effect of that beauty? How do readers respond to words that create that beauty? In a world that has discredited that particular attribute and banished it from high art, beauty has nonetheless held on to its enlivening power in children's books. It draws readers in, then draws them to understand the fictional worlds it lights up.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Discussing Fairy Tales, Maria Tatar, 2015
Language can transform ordinary ideas into magical, vivid experiences that captivate readers, especially children.
In simple terms: Words can turn the mundane into wonder.
Key Takeaway
Use vivid, imaginative language to engage.
Themes
imagination
language
children’s literature
Mood
joyful
inspired
Type
literary
educational
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- classroom reading
- storytelling sessions
- children’s book publishing
- creative writing courses
Key Concepts
transformation
enchantment
literary beauty
Questions to Reflect On
- What words make you feel wonder?
- How does simplicity affect magical storytelling?
A Different Perspective
Overly ornate prose may alienate some audiences.
