I contend that good children's stories are always about the Getting of Wisdom. That's another way of saying, Let your characters grow. Up. And good stories for adults are about the Holding of Wisdom. Another way of saying, Recognize you are grown up.
In her book "Take Joy: A Writer's Guide to Loving the Craft," author Jane Yolen emphasizes the different themes present in stories for children and adults. She believes that children's narratives should focus on the process of gaining wisdom and personal growth, which reflects the journey of the characters as they learn and mature throughout the story. This growth is an essential aspect of storytelling for younger audiences.
Conversely, Yolen argues that stories aimed at adults revolve around the concept of recognizing and holding onto the wisdom one has acquired over time. This perspective encourages adult characters to acknowledge their development while navigating life's complexities, suggesting that maturity comes from understanding and appreciating the wisdom they possess. Through this lens, storytelling becomes a vehicle for both learning and self-reflection.
