Child Prodigy Adora Svitak I have noticed the name of "Adora Svitak" in the comments of several child prodigy posts on Art News Blog, so I thought I better find out who she is. She is a 9 year old writer that has been labeled a child prodigy. Adora published her first book at the age of seven, called Flying Fingers.

Unlike painters that have been labeled child prodigies, I really have no opinion on young writers that are thought of as prodigies. I still agree with Mr Greenberg's quote about young artists / painters though..
"In visual arts, prodigies don't count. In music and literature, yes, but not in art." Clemente Greenberg

I haven't read Adora Svitak's Flying Fingers book, but she certainly seems like a smart little girl. There's videos on YouTube of her giving talks and being featured on television programs like Good Morning America.

Here's a poem by Adora from her website here..


The Philosopher
In his candlelit chamber…
The philosopher works…
Day and night…
Without a rest.

It is great research…
But never credited…
Nothing has worked…
Nobody has paid attention…
But this time they will.

And the philosopher tires…
But he keeps on…
He keeps on through the night.

And on the morrow…
The philosopher wakes…
And studies his books.

A scroll and a stick…
That will tell him…
A ruler made by Merlin…
Will give him success.

And so his work is credited…
Like the philosopher dreamed it would be…
And, his work done, he fell into the
Endless Slumber…
Which he well deserves.

Here's an article from the Guardian about Adora Svitak or see her official website for more information.
>> Books and Writing  ¶ 7:26 PM