A is for Alice.

It seemed an appropriate start to my first post in my first April A to Z Challenge.

For the month of April here on the blog, I’ll be giving you 26 posts reflecting on my experiences raising my daughters – now four and seven years old.

The plan is a mix of what I’ve discovered and learned, what both they and I have loved and some reflections on the journey until now.

I figure one of the benefits of having two daughters is being able to share all things Alice.

We’ve already seen the 1951 Disney cartoon version a number of times.

I remember that one fondly from my own childhood and love that I can share it with my girls.

They are also already familiar with Johnny Depp’s 2010 Mad Hatter stylins‘ (although we failed at getting through the sequel).

As for the book? Well, given I was gifted a copy of the Complete Illustrated Works of Lewis Carroll from my father when I was about twelve that I still own, I’m hoping they one day read the stories too.

Quick history for any Alice novices: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is an 1865 novel by Lewis Carroll (pseudonym for Charles Lutwidge Dodgson) which tells the story of Alice – a young girl who falls through a rabbit hole into a fantasy world. In case all the movies, Pinterest Boards, and DIY Alice theme party ideas aren’t a hint, it’s been hugely influential as far as pop culture, literature and the fantasy genre go.

As for Alice and me, I’ve written of my Alice affinity before. She – or more accurately the Queen of Hearts – helped me overcome stage fright in Grade 6 when I won the school speech competition with a speech about how, if I could be anyone for a day, I’d be the Queen of Hearts, because there’s a women who takes no excuses from anyone! My speech basically ran through everyone I would decapitate in my new role as your Queen of Hearts.

While the broader populace clearly did not appreciate my humour – I lost the Legion-hosted regional competition to the girl who did a speech about pets wearing earrings (not that I hold a grudge or anything… but, seriously? Earrings on pets? I lobbed the heads of boring blonde Disney princesses who failed to do anything, the Governor General who was clearly overspending public funds (even an 11-year-old could see it) and my piano teacher. Does no one else think I was robbed?)

Sorry. Back to Alice.

But wait.

I sort of think that’s my point.

Alice is full of all sorts of amazing characters and quotes for a girl – or any child – to run with.

Lots of good advice. Lots of good fun. We could all use a bit more time in Wonderland.

Even Avril. Here’s her take from the 2010 soundtrack. My 7-year-old loves Avril (well, most specifically, Complicated – and its video – she’s specifically told me some of her later stuff is to “old” for her, but she was “okay” watching the Alice extras). So I think I deserve an extra A to Z point for this tie-in.

So A is for Alice. Three cheers to her helping yet another generation’s imaginations soar.