Table of Contents
- 1. navigating the Nuances of Feelings: A Look at Liana Finck’s ‘Mixed Feelings’
- 2. Mixed Feelings: An Exploration of Complexity and Contradiction
- 3. Exploring the Complexities of Feeling: A Conversation with Author Liana Finck
- 4. The Enduring Appeal of Rewriting Classic Literature for Children
- 5. How does Liana Finck’s artistic style contribute to the overall message and emotional impact of “Mixed Feelings”?
As a parent, it’s frequently enough a daily dance to help children understand and name their emotions. Manny are familiar with the simpler feelings like happiness, sadness, or anger, but what about those more intricate, complex emotions that can be hard to put into words? Liana Finck, the witty and insightful cartoonist behind the popular _New Yorker_ drawings, tackles these very emotions head-on in her debut children’s book, “Mixed Feelings.”
Finck’s book opens with a simple yet profound question: “How do I feel?” The subsequent pages are a visual and lyrical exploration of a wide range of emotional experiences, including the specific kind of boredom that “arises when there are so many things to do, but none of them is what I want to do.” This resonated deeply with me, triggering a wave of nostalgia for days spent navigating that perplexing state.
What makes ”Mixed Feelings” particularly captivating is Finck’s ability to capture the often contradictory nature of young emotions. For example,a child screams “NOT TIRED!” yet promptly falls asleep. Finck’s illustrations, with their whimsical lines and expressive characters, perfectly capture the absurdity and honesty of these experiences.
One passage, when read aloud to my six-year-old, sparked a engaging conversation. The child,upon seeing the illustration, asked,”Why dose the kid shout NOT TIRED! but then falls right to sleep?!” I,in an attempt to encourage critical thinking,replied with a playful, “Hmm. Why do *you* think?” The child’s response was insightful, revealing a keen understanding of the complexities of human behavior and emotion.
Finck’s “Mixed Feelings” is more than just a lovely book. It’s a valuable tool for parents, educators, and anyone who wants to better understand the multifaceted world of emotions. It encourages open conversation, self-awareness, and acceptance of the messy, fantastic reality of feeling everything.
Mixed Feelings: An Exploration of Complexity and Contradiction
The title “Mixed Feelings” speaks for itself – a universal human experience.Most of us have grappled with this internal landscape of emotions, where joy and sorrow, excitement and anxiety, can coexist within a single moment.In Liana Finck’s poignant illustrations, we see this emotional complexity visually depicted. But how did she arrive at this title, encapsulating such a profound human truth?
When queried about her choice, Finck shared that the title stemmed from her desire to explore the nuances of human experience. She seeks to capture the inherent contradiction within ourselves, explaining, “We often think of emotions as distinct and separate, but in reality, they blend together in complex ways.” Her art serves as a visual testament to this interconnectedness, where individual feelings are depicted intermingling, sometimes harmoniously, sometimes in a state of tension.
Finck’s choice of title perfectly reflects the essence of her work – a celebration of the messy, complicated tapestry of human emotions.
Liana Finck, the brilliant illustrator and author behind the charming children’s books, “A Tiny Bird Told Me” and “My Super Happy Day” has done it again. Her latest offering, “When a Boy is a Boy,” delves into the intricate landscape of childhood emotions, offering a refreshingly honest and relatable look at the way we experience the world.
What truly sets Finck’s work apart is its depth. “When a Boy is a Boy” doesn’t shy away from the messy, confusing nature of feelings. rather, it embraces them, exploring themes of shyness, self-revelation, and the joys and frustrations of growing up.
In a recent conversation, Finck shared her insights into the book’s creation and the powerful impact art can have on young readers.
Finding Inspiration in Personal Experience
Finck’s work is deeply personal, drawing inspiration from her own childhood and her experiences as a parent. “I remember having really strong feelings as a kid and not even fathoming that there could be a way to describe them,” she confesses.”Many where actually mixtures of feelings, like shyness, plus confusion about feeling shy. Some of the feelings in the book were inspired by my three-year-old, but anything about shyness was inspired by my own childhood.”
She recalls a particularly poignant moment from her early years, one that directly influenced a character in the book: “The kid who pretends to be a horse. I got expelled from nursery school for pretending to be a dog — and I was a very nice dog,not rowdy or barking or biting or anything! But the teachers did not like it. What was so mortifying, at the time, is that I couldn’t explain why I did what I did. Looking back, I’m sure that it came from being shy and trying to connect with the other kids in this funny way.”
Embracing Neurodiversity
Finck identifies as neurodivergent, a journey that has profoundly shaped her understanding of feelings. “With neurodivergence, there are years where it becomes the biggest thing for me. It’s like I have this drawer — it’s always there, but sometimes I’ll take a year to just examine everything in it. I’m just coming out of one of those years,” she explains.
This openness about her experiences challenges societal norms and encourages acceptance of neurodiversity.
Inspiring a Generation to Embrace Their Feelings
Through her poignant illustrations and honest narratives, Finck aims to empower young readers. “I hope kids learn not to judge their feelings by people’s reactions to them,” she says. “Kids can feel so much shame, especially when other people don’t understand them.I know I did, and I think my son does, too. I wish I’d learned sooner how to honor my feelings.”
Her message resonates deeply with parents, who often struggle to help their children navigate the complexities of emotions.
A Legacy of Connection
Finck’s work transcends generations. her relatable characters and poignant stories touch the hearts of both children and adults, creating a sense of shared experience.
When asked about her favorite children’s books, finck shares a list that reflects her own values:
“Tell Me a mitzi” by Lore Segal
“Mr.Owl at Home” by Arnold Lobel
*”George and Martha” by James Marshall
These beloved classics, she says, celebrate the power of friendship, the joys of imagination, and the beauty of everyday moments.
Finck’s latest book, “When a Boy is a Boy,” is a testament to the importance of embracing our inner worlds and finding the courage to express our true selves.
The Enduring Appeal of Rewriting Classic Literature for Children
Revisiting beloved stories for younger audiences presents a unique challenge: how to preserve the essence of a classic while making it accessible and engaging for children.
Scholars are increasingly exploring this fascinating literary practice, analyzing the methods and limitations involved in adapting complex themes and narratives for a younger generation.
A recent study delves into the intricacies of rewriting classic works, emphasizing the delicate balance between fidelity to the original text and the need to simplify language and concepts for children. Researchers are particularly interested in understanding how storytellers navigate the potentially sensitive nature of certain themes, ensuring age-appropriateness while still maintaining the story’s literary value.
How does Liana Finck’s artistic style contribute to the overall message and emotional impact of “Mixed Feelings”?
Archyde Interview: Navigating the Nuances of Feelings with liana Finck
Archyde: Liana, thank you for joining us today. Let’s dive right in. your new book, “Mixed Feelings,” is a splendid exploration of complex emotions. what sparked the idea for this unique children’s book?
Liana Finck: Thank you so much for having me.The idea for “Mixed Feelings” came from my observations of children and their emotional lives, as well as my own experiences. I remember being a kid and feeling a multitude of things at once, yet being unable to express or even comprehend these mixed feelings. I wanted to create a book that would help children understand and articulate these intricate emotions.
Archyde: The title “Mixed Feelings” is so apt.It encapsulates the idea of emotional complexity so perfectly. Can you tell us more about how you arrived at this title?
Liana Finck: Absolutely. I wanted a title that would reflect the book’s core theme – the coexistence and intermingling of different emotions. We frequently enough simplify emotions into neat, distinct categories, but in reality, they’re much more complex and interconnected. “Mixed Feelings” captures this inherent contradiction and blend within our emotional experiences.
Archyde: Your illustrations in “Mixed Feelings” are absolutely enchanting. They beautifully capture the absurdity and honesty of childhood experiences. how would you describe your artistic style, and how did you develop it?
Liana Finck: Thank you so much! I’d describe my artistic style as whimsical, expressive, and frequently enough absurd. I’ve always been drawn to the quirky and the exaggerated, and I think that’s reflected in my illustrations.This style has evolved over time, influenced by my experiences, my observations of the world, and my love for storytelling.
Archyde: “Mixed Feelings” is not just a lovely book to read; it’s a valuable tool for parents, educators, and anyone who wants to better understand and navigate the multifaceted world of emotions. What sparked this desire to create such a resource?
Liana Finck: I think it comes back to my own experiences and observations. As a parent and as someone who has struggled with understanding and expressing my own emotions, I’ve seen firsthand how crucial it is to have resources that encourage open conversation about feelings. I want children to grow up understanding that it’s okay to feel confused, scared, or happy and sad simultaneously occurring. I want them to know that their feelings are valid and complex, and that they have the tools to navigate these emotions.
Archyde: Your work often explores the intricacies of childhood experiences and emotions. What draws you to this theme, and what do you hope readers, especially children, will take away from your books?
Liana Finck: I’m drawn to exploring the complexities of childhood because I think it’s a time of such profound emotional growth and discovery.I want my books to reflect the honesty and raw emotion of these experiences,and to help children understand that they’re not alone in feeling the way they do. I hope readers, especially children, will come away from my books feeling seen, understood, and empowered to explore and articulate their own feelings.
Archyde: Thank you so much for your time and insights, Liana. It’s been an absolute pleasure speaking with you.
Liana finck: The pleasure is all mine. Thank you for having me!
