Is there not glory enough in living the days given to us? You should know there is adventure in simply being among those we love and the things we lo… - Lloyd Alexander

Writing for children can be completely honest in non-cynical ways. In adult books you're required to be cynical. It embarrasses us to say positive things. You can have affection and hope in children's books, but that is out of fashion in adult fiction.

...alas, in most of us good and bad are closely woven as the threads on a loom; greater wisdom than mine is needed for the judging,

"I ask no comfort," Taran replied, "but the truth, be it harsh or happy."
"Ah, my sweet robin," said Orddu, "for the finding of that, nothing is harder. There are those who have spent lifetimes at it, and many in worse plight than yours."