August Editor Letter, Hock Literary Post

 

Little Things Long Remembered: Weaving the Golden Thread of Connection

Once upon a time, in the quiet hum of a morning, a thought arrived—as soft as dandelion fluff and just as persistent. It was the memory of my own father, not on a grand birthday or a holiday, but on a perfectly ordinary Tuesday. He had stopped on our walk home from the field to point out a snail, tracing a silver path on the ground. He didn’t hurry me along. He simply knelt, and for a few moments, the entire universe was contained in that spiral shell. I felt, in that tiny, shared silence, utterly and completely seen.

 

It is a feeling that has guided me ever since, both as a parent and as the curator of stories here at Hollyhock Books. We believe in the magic of narratives, in the power of a tale to transport and transform. But the most important story we will ever tell is not found on our pages; it is the one we write, daily, in the heart of a child. It is the story of their worth, their lovability, and their place in this wondrous, often bewildering, world.

 

This brings me to a book that feels less like a volume on a shelf and more like a kindred spirit, a gentle guide whispering the oldest, most vital secret of parenting: Susan Newman’s Little Things Long Remembered: Making Your Children Feel Special Every Day. In its pages, one finds not a rigid instruction manual, but a beautiful, practical tapestry of ideas, reminding us that the foundation of a child’s world is built not of grand, occasional gestures, but of the small, consistent, and loving moments we so often overlook in our busy lives.

 

The Tyranny of the "Big" and the Magic of the "Small"

We live in an age of curated perfection. Social media feeds are alight with images of elaborate birthday parties, extravagant vacations, and Pinterest-worthy crafts. There is a silent, pervasive pressure to create "magic" through spectacle. We can find ourselves striving for the big thing—the perfect gift, the unforgettable trip—believing that these are the milestones that will define a happy childhood.

 

But what of the other 364 days of the year? What of the simple, unremarkable Tuesday?

 

This is where Dr. Newman’s wisdom feels like a bomb. She gently dismantles the tyranny of the "big" and redirects our gaze to the quiet, cumulative power of the "small." The grand gestures, while wonderful, are like the exclamation marks in the story of a childhood. But it is the small moments—the commas, the periods, the gentle spaces between the words—that give the story its rhythm, its meaning, and its flow. They are the golden thread that runs through the fabric of daily life, holding it all together with strength and tenderness.

 

A child does not feel truly loved because they went to a theme park once a year. They feel loved because, day after day, they are met with a smile at breakfast, a patient ear after school, a hand held in the dark, and a story shared in the lamplight. These are the "little things long remembered." They are the deposits in the emotional bank account of a child’s soul, building a fortune of security and self-worth that they will draw upon for a lifetime.

 

The Hollyhock Hearth: Where Stories and Connection Meet

Here in our world of books, we see this principle at play every day. A child does not fall in love with reading because of one magnificent, award-winning novel given to them on a single Christmas. They fall in love with reading because of the daily ritual of a bedtime story. Because of the sound of a loved one’s voice, the shared anticipation of turning the page, the weight of a head on a shoulder, the shared joke over a character’s silly antics.

 

Reading together is, in itself, one of the most powerful "little things" we can ever offer.

 

When we open a book with a child, we are doing so much more than reading words. We are saying:

 

"In this moment, you have my full and undivided attention."

 

"Let’s explore this world together."

 

"Your curiosity matters. Your questions are welcome."

 

"Let’s feel these big feelings—of bravery, of loss, of joy—in the safe container of this story."

 

This is the very essence of what Dr. Newman champions. It is the act of being present. The book is the vessel, but the connection is the magic. At Hollyhock Books, we strive to create stories that are worthy of these sacred moments—tales of runaway pigs and clock-tower girls that become the backdrop for a cuddle, a conversation, a shared memory in the making.

 

A Tapestry of Tiny Moments: Weaving Dr. Newman’s Wisdom into Your Days

Little Things Long Remembered is overflowing with simple, actionable ideas. It is a book you can open to any page and find inspiration. Let us explore a few of its core themes, and see how they intertwine with the philosophy of storytelling.

 

1. The Alchemy of Undivided Attention:

 

In a world of buzzing phones and endless to-do lists, the greatest gift we can give is our full presence. Dr. Newman suggests putting down the newspaper when your child walks in the room, making eye contact, and truly listening.

 

The Hollyhock Parallel: Create a "Story Hour"—not an hour, perhaps, but ten sacred minutes where phones are away, the world is shut out, and it’s just you, your child, and a book. Let them choose the story. Follow their lead. Linger on a picture they find fascinating. This undivided attention tells them they are the most important story in the world, right now.

 

2. The Poetry of the Ordinary:

 

Magic isn’t only in fantasy lands; it’s hidden in the fabric of the everyday. Dr. Newman encourages making chores together fun, having picnics on the living room floor, or watching the clouds drift by.

 

The Hollyhock Parallel: Seek out stories that find wonder in the mundane, just as we do in our tales of dusty cupboards and wild gardens. Then, become story-makers of your own daily life. Narrate the journey of a ladybird in the garden. Invent a story about the lonely sock that lost its pair. Transform the walk to the shops into a grand expedition. You are showing them that their entire world is ripe with narrative and wonder.

 

3. The Language of Love in Action:

 

Love is a verb. It’s in the doing. Dr. Newman speaks of leaving surprise notes in a lunchbox, creating a special handshake, or warming a towel in the dryer for after their bath.

 

The Hollyhock Parallel: Personalise your storytelling. Insert your child’s name into a tale. Let them be the hero who outsmarts the dragon or finds the hidden key. Craft a tiny, handmade book together about a real-life adventure you shared. The message is clear: "You belong in this story. Our story."

 

4. The Sanctuary of Ritual and Routine:

 

Children thrive on predictability. It makes the world feel safe and manageable. Dr. Newman highlights the power of family traditions, both big (annual camping trips) and small (pancakes every Sunday morning).

 

The Hollyhock Parallel: The bedtime story is one of the most beloved family rituals across the globe. It is a sacred space at the end of the day to decompress, connect, and journey together into the land of dreams. This consistent, loving routine is a "little thing" that becomes a cornerstone of a child’s emotional security. It is a promise of comfort and companionship, night after night.

 

5. The Gift of Being Seen:

 

To feel special is to feel understood as a unique individual. Dr. Newman advises acknowledging their efforts, not just their achievements, and respecting their ever-evolving interests.

 

The Hollyhock Parallel: Pay attention to the stories they love most. Does your daughter return again and again to the book about the glitter dragon? Perhaps she is drawn to themes of power and beauty. Does your son love the tale of the runaway pig? Maybe he cherishes themes of adventure and independence. By noticing and providing stories that resonate with their inner world, you are saying, "I see you. I am learning who you are." This is one of the most profound ways to make a child feel special.

 

Why This Book Belongs on Your Shelf, Beside Your Favourite Storybooks

Little Things Long Remembered is not a book you read once and place back on the shelf. It is a companion, a source of gentle encouragement for the days when you feel you are failing, and a celebration for the days when you get it right. It is filled with lists of suggestions—from "52 Ways to Say 'I Love You'" to "How to Be There for Your Child"—that are practical, heartfelt, and easily woven into the most hectic of schedules.

 

It reminds us that we are not just raising children; we are nurturing future adults. The child who feels special, seen, and secure becomes the adult who carries that inner fortitude out into the world. They become more resilient, more empathetic, and more capable of forming healthy relationships. The "little things" are, in fact, the building blocks of character.

 

As the editor of Hollyhock Books, I have the profound privilege of seeking out stories that speak to the heart. Susan Newman’s Little Things Long Remembered is one of the most important stories I can ever recommend. It is a story about the art of love in its most practical, daily form. It aligns perfectly with our belief that the simplest moments are often the most magical.

 

So, let us close this chapter and begin a new one in your own home. Let us put down our phones, pick up a book—be it Little Things Long Remembered for a dose of inspiration, or The Clock-Tower Girl Who Sewed Paper Hearts for a shared adventure—and begin.

 

Start with one small thing today. A whispered secret. A shared smile over a bowl of cereal. Ten minutes of undivided attention. For it is in these small, consistent stitches that we weave the most enduring and beautiful tale of all—the story of a child who grew up knowing, deep in their bones, that they were loved, they were special, and they were, and always will be, home.

 

And that, dear reader, is a story with the most beautiful ending of all… which is, of course, a new beginning.