James Crews is one of the most popular children's writers of the last century. He created not so many works. But those that saw the light were read and re-read by guys from different countries.
early years
James Crews was born in Germany. His father earned his living by being an electrician. The peaceful existence on Helgolan Island was interrupted when the war broke out. The family had to leave their native lands and move to the mainland. Crews could see his beloved island again only in the early 60s.
In 1944, James Crews graduated from high school. At that time he was eighteen years old, because he was drafted into the army. But he never happened to become part of the military army. He, being a kind and gentle man, was very happy about this. After the war, the future writer moved to Hamburg. There he decided to graduate.
Thinking about his future career, Crews did not find anything better than becoming a teacher. Although he was educated, he never had a chance to work with children. And the reason was the acquaintance with the writer Erich Kestner. It was he who suggested that James try himself in writing short stories for children. This idea really fascinated the man.
Unusual youth lived James Crews. A biography for children may seem like an exciting new story. Crews later transferred some experience from his life to his works.
Creative way
The writer began his creative career in 1951. Since then, James Crews was recognized as a writer of short stories for children. But only he was not yet known to such a wide circle of people. He published a lot in newspapers, wrote scripts and radio plays. Along the way, he also was engaged in the translation of other writers into German. Thanks to him, children from his home country got acquainted with Serbian, Russian, Croatian and some other writers.
All this prepared Kruce to create his own immortal work. His first book was published in 1953. It was called "Hanselman travels around the world." But James Crews came to know the taste of true fame after the release of Tim Timler, or Laughter Sold.
The writer did not only create stories for children. He was also fond of poetry. Kruce composed individual works, as well as important poetic additions for his prose works. He spent his whole life working on stories for children.
Crews died in 1997 in Spain. But he was buried on his native island. An unusual and very talented person was James Crews. The biography of the writer looks like an unusual novel with sharp plot twists. But all this time he remained true to himself.
"Tim Taller, or Sold Laughter"
This story tells the story of a boy who from an early age knew the injustice of the world. At first he lost his beloved mother. The stepmother disliked the stepson and tried not to notice him, giving all the love to her son. Shortly afterwards, Tim's father also died. But only the boy had a weapon against all ills in the world - his sonorous laugh. And once this he attracted the mysterious baron, who offered to exchange. The man wanted to get Tim's cheerful and melodic laugh, and in return offered him special luck that allowed him to win any bet.
In a truly distressed situation, Tim agreed. And soon after that he got rich. He was able to afford everything that he did not dare to dream about. But only the realization of desires did not bring him joy, because he could no longer laugh. And then Tim decided to get the laugh back. But just how? He had no right to tell his friends. Indeed, in this case, he would not only forever lose the opportunity to return his laughter, but also would lose his incredible luck in all bets.
"My great-grandfather, heroes and me"
A special place among children's literature is occupied by books that teach and educate. Few writers have found that fine line between boring edification and an exciting work. James Crews is one of them.
This
prose work is diluted with poems composed personally by the author. And it tells about the conversation of the great-grandfather-poet and great-grandson of the poet. A wise, gray-haired old man tells more and more new stories about heroes who lived at different times. It tells of
knights, wandering warriors, great battles and treacherous enemies. And at the same time he explains to the heir what a real feat is and what is just bravado, senseless risk and an attempt to show off.
One of the most widely read children's writers of the last century is James Crews. Photos of this man show how much he loved children and his work. Therefore, his works, saturated with good, conquer new generations of young readers.