James Crews: biography and career

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

James Crews is one of the most popular children's writers of the last century. He did not create many works. But those that saw the light of day were read and reread by guys from different countries.

Early years

James Crews was born in Germany. His father made a living by being an electrician. Peaceful existence on the island of Helgolan was interrupted when the war began. The family had to leave their native lands and move to the mainland. Crews was able to 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, so he was drafted into the army. But he did not happen to become part of the military army. He, being a kind and gentle man, was very happy about this. After the end of the war, the future writer moved to Hamburg. There he decided to get a higher education.

Thinking about his future career, Crews did not find anything better than to become a teacher. Although he received an education, 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 his hand at writing stories for children. This idea was very captivating man.

UnusualJames Crews lived his youth. A biography for children may seem like a new exciting story. Crews later transferred some experience from his life to his works.

Creative path

The writer began his creative career in 1951. Since then, James Crews has been recognized as a writer of short stories for children. But that's just it 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 translated other writers into German. Thanks to him, children from his native country got to know Serbian, Russian, Croatian and some other writers.

All this prepared Crews to create his own immortal work. His first book was published in 1953. It was called Hanselman travels around the world. But James Crews got a taste of real fame after the release of the book "Tim Taller, or Sold Laughter".

The writer created not only stories for children. He was also fond of poetry. Crews composed individual works as well as important verse additions to his prose works. He has spent his entire life writing stories for children.

Cruz died in 1997 in Spain. But he was buried on his native island. James Crews was an unusual and very talented person. The biography of the writer looks like an unusual novel with sharp plot twists. But all the while, he remained true to himself.

Tim Taller, or Sold Laughter

This story is about a boy whowho from an early age knew the injustice of the world. First, he lost his beloved mother. The stepmother disliked her stepson and tried not to notice him, giving all her love to her own son. Shortly thereafter, Tim's father also died. But only the boy had a weapon against all the troubles in the world - his ringing laugh. And once with this he attracted a mysterious baron who offered to exchange. The man wanted to get Tim's cheerful and melodious laugh, and in return offered him special luck, which allowed him to win any bet.

Being in a truly distressed situation, Tim agreed. And soon after that he became rich. He was able to afford everything that he did not dare to even dream of. But only the fulfillment of desires did not bring him joy, because he could no longer laugh. And then Tim decided to get the laughter back. But just how? He had no right to tell his friends. Indeed, in this case, not only would he forever lose the opportunity to return his laughter, but he would also 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 instruct and educate. Few writers have found that fine line between boring edification and compelling writing. James Crews is one of them.

This prose work is diluted with poems composed personally by the author. And it tells about the conversation between the poet's great-grandfather and the poet's great-grandson. The wise, gray-haired old man tells more and more stories about heroes,who lived in different times. It tells about knights, wandering warriors, great battles and insidious enemies. And at the same time, he explains to the heir what a real feat is, and what is just bravado, a senseless risk and an attempt to show off.

James Crews remains one of the most widely read children's writers of the last century. Photos of this man show how much he loved children and his work. Therefore, his works, imbued with goodness, conquer all new generations of young readers.