Robert Munsch has been on my mind.
Like many of you I’m sure, I was a bit startled by his revelations related to his struggles with bipolar disorder, cocaine addiction and alcohol abuse. I was more startled, however, by some of the reactions I saw.
I was on a plane a few days after the news broke, reading the paper (I wish I could remember which one) and taking in one woman’s letter to the editor. She in no uncertain terms said they would no longer sing the praises of Mr. Munsch in their home and while she was sad to remove him (or, more accurately, his books) from her children’s lives, she felt she had no choice. There was no room for this kind of flawed hero in her rearing of her children.
Really?!?
I’m not a doctor, but I know enough about mental illness to know that it is not a choice and it is more often than not a long and horrendous road. It is also not a personal failing of the person who is ill.
I also don’t know enough about Mr. Munsch’s specific case to know the details of his behaviour and choices. What I do know, however, is that this could be an important teaching moment. I believe that situations like this, while perhaps disheartening, are opportunities to talk about things like compassion and empathy and the recognition that we are all imperfect beings.
My kids are too little to register any of this. What they know, thanks to Mr. Munsch, is that the Paper Bag Princess ultimately stood up for herself. They know Prince Ronald is a bum because he didn’t value courage and intelligence above clothes and appearances. They know they can outwit dragons. I might not condone some of the choices Mr. Munsch has made, but there will always be room in our lives for the magic of his storytelling and hopefully, when my kids are a little older, there will also be room for us to appreciate how even when we are not perfect we can bring joy and laughter and magic to the world.
Right on, Mar. Right on.