The Stories Julian Tells

A literary device that assigns human traits or emotions to objects, animals, or ideas, personification helps animate a story’s nonhuman elements. In The Stories Julian Tells, this technique is especially effective in thematically enhancing The Role of Imagination in Childhood. By imbuing inanimate objects or natural elements with life and emotions, personification helps prompt understanding and empathy, bridging the gap between imaginative worlds and reality.

“The Pudding Like a Night on the Sea” personifies the pudding as feeling lonely: “We thought it might be lonely […] Just one pudding, all by itself in the kitchen” (10). This adds a layer of humor and whimsy while also tapping into a childlike logic that even desserts could experience emotions, enhancing the imaginative aspects of the story. Such personification encourages young readers to think creatively and sympathetically, imagining feelings and stories for the objects around them.

In “Our Garden,” Julian imagines the seeds in the garden as “dreaming.” This personification suggests a peaceful, anticipatory state, imbuing the garden with a sense of potential and magic that mirrors the way children might dream of future possibilities. It enriches the stories by highlighting the wonders of nature through a child’s eyes, making the act of gardening an enchanting experience.

“Because of Figs” personifies the fig tree: It “didn’t say a word” (44) suggests a quiet, observant presence. The depiction fosters a connection between Julian and the tree, as if it were a silent, wise companion in his journey of growth, and thematically supports The Role of Imagination in Childhood by illustrating how children often see their surroundings as active participants in their lives, filled with personality and depth.

To help evoke mental images, sensory experiences, and emotions in readers, sensory language and imagery are often useful. In children’s literature, these tools are particularly valuable because they engage young readers’ senses, helping fully immerse them in a story by prompting them to more vividly imagine scenes, sounds, and sensations.

“Catalog Cats” contains the line “When my father’s voice gets loud, mine gets so small I can only whisper” (26). This sensory language conveys the intensity of the emotional dynamics within a family conversation. It not only creates a sensory experience of sound—contrasting the loudness of father’s voice with the quietness of Julian’s—but also visually and emotionally represents the feeling of being small or diminished in a tense moment. It helps readers, especially children who might feel similarly during adult conversations, relate to Julian’s emotional state.

Likewise, “Our Garden,” uses sensory language in the line “Over the top of the garage was the moon, a little moon with sharp horns” (33). This imagery captures the visual aspect of the scene. The description enhances the setting by placing readers directly under the night sky, gazing at the crescent moon, and evokes a sense of wonder. The phrase “sharp horns” adds a touch of imagery that children may easily visualize, further enhancing their engagement with the text.

Sensory language appears in “Because of Figs” too: “They tasted worse than spinach” (39) describes how the fig leaves taste. This depiction connects taste with personal preference and experience. Many children are familiar with the taste of spinach, and many don’t find it appealing. Comparing something negatively to spinach conjures a vivid taste sensation and a relatable context, emphasizing the unpleasantness of the experience. This line effectively conveys both dislike and distaste, helping readers imagine the bitterness of the fig leaves.