"The Dick, Jane, and Spot primers have gone to that bookshelf in the sky. I have, in some ways, a tender feeling toward them, so I think it's for the best"

Chris Van Allsburg’s reference to “The Dick, Jane, and Spot primers” going “to that bookshelf in the sky” conjures a gentle elegy for the classic early reader books that once dominated children’s literature. Using the phrase “bookshelf in the sky,” he blends a touch of humor with a sense of finality, cleverly alluding to the idea that these primers have passed from common usage, they are no longer part of the everyday world, residing instead in the collective memory of generations who learned their first words from their pages.

Yet, Van Allsburg’s words are imbued with nuanced emotion. By confessing his “tender feeling toward them,” he recognizes the formative role these books played, both in his personal journey and in shaping a mid-20th-century reading culture. For millions, Dick, Jane, and Spot were friendly guides into the world of written language, figures whose repetitive and simple adventures made reading approachable and, even if sometimes bland, safe and reassuring. There’s an acknowledgment of nostalgia in Van Allsburg’s response; he appreciates their fundamental place in the landscape of education and family life.

At the same time, his acceptance of their passing signals a progressive outlook. Saying “it’s for the best” suggests that, for all their merits, the Dick and Jane primers represented limitations: a narrow view of family structure, culture, and experience, as well as a lack of literary and artistic innovation. By letting them rest on “that bookshelf in the sky,” Van Allsburg gently asserts that children’s literature is better served by new works, books that reflect diverse perspectives, dynamic storytelling, and richer illustrations. His remarks encapsulate a poignant transition: honoring the comfort and structure those primers once provided while ultimately embracing change, growth, and broader representation in children's reading.