"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
About this Quote
This quote by Chris Van Allsburg is a nostalgic reflection on the Dick, Jane, and Spot guides, which were a series of books used to teach children how to read in the early 20th century. The expression "gone to that bookshelf in the sky" is a metaphor for death, suggesting that the primers have been forgotten and are no longer appropriate. Van Allsburg reveals a tender feeling towards the primers, likely due to the fact that they belonged of his youth and a tip of simpler times. He thinks that it is for the best that the primers have actually been forgotten, as it signifies development and the development of education. The quote is a bittersweet tip of the past and the value of moving forward.
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