I love children’s books, and I’m certainly not the only adult who feels that way. Today I’ve gathered a few books I want to review, including one encouraging adults to read kids’ books and another encouraging kids to read.
First up…
Why You Should Read Children’s Books, Even Though You Are So Old and Wise by Katherine Rundell.
I was charmed by this little book, and I mean little literally – it’s probably about 3×5 inches. But it’s a delightful, if brief, look at the history of kid’s books and what makes them special, and how it serves us to keep our eyes (and hearts) in that world even if (or perhaps especially) because we’re adults.
She argues that instead of considering kid’s books somehow more simplistic than suits adult perceptions and sensibilities, we ought consider the gift and challenge of writing so it appeals to children. I love this quote: “Children will not be patient if you pontificate or meander or self-congratulate. Rather, children’s fiction necessitates distillation: at its best, it renders in their purest, most archetypal forms hope, hunger, joy, fear. Think of children’s books as literary vodka.”
And she talks about the beauty of not really “dumbing down” a book, but how introducing vocabulary that requires a bit of stretching is a delicious gift. I certainly agree with this, and suspect it’s really one of the reasons I love language and words so much. She says “As a child, reading alone for the first time, I navigated a book like an unknown land in which unfamiliar words crop up like strange herbs, to be gathered now or stepped over and returned to later.” I love, love, love that image!
In keeping with my practice of awarding a rating based on floriography, the language of flowers, giving a hint at the plot as well as my appraisal, I would offer a bouquet of White Chrysanthemum (truth), Morning Glory (affection), and Garden Daisy (I share your sentiment).
Next…
A Velocity of Being: Letters to a Young Reader, edited by Maria Popova & Claudia Bedrick.
In contrast to the smallness of the previous book, this one is deliciously large. Clearly it’s not a book to be plowed through bur rather savored, containing letters written by 121 contributors. Each leter is an encouragement to young readers, extolling the delights and importance of reading, each story as varied as the writers. Some are certainly more famous than others – Neil Gaiman, Mary Oliver, Yo-Yo Ma, and Jane Goodall are just a few. Each contribution is a two-page spread, with one page devoted to the letter itself and the facing page done by a different illustrator. Each letter contains a brief, few-sentence synopsis of the letter’s author, and in the back of the book is a section of tiny bios about the illustrators.
This collection was clearly a labor of love, having taken eight years to pull together. I quite enjoyed it, lingering over some letters for quite a while, and finding some new-to-me people worthy of future exploration. Definitely a treasure, I’m offering my floriography rating of a bouquet of China Aster (variety), Celadine (joys to come), and Fennel (worthy of all praise).
I read a fair number of children’s books, but I especially love children’s picture books. With industry standards keeping them to 32 pages, I certainly don’t count them in my number of books read annually figure. But I do count them in how much they fill my heart.
Here are a few I’ve recently read that I love and definitely think are worth read.
Over the Rooftops Under the Moon – written by JonArno Lawson & illustrated by Nahid Kazemi.
A young bird’s existential crisis driven by the sense of isolation and the need to find a sense of belonging. He comes to see and explore the world through a young girl. It’s a lovely, gentle, hopeful story, and the illustrations are fabulous,
Layla’s Happiness – written by Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie and illustrated by Ashleigh Corrin.
A celebration of a young self-possessed girl with a clear idea of what she likes and brings her happiness. Delightful. This is the first work of both the author and illustrator and I look forward to more.
What if… by Theirry Lenain and Olver Tallee
A child sees the world and continues to ask “What if?” moving things into the direction of a kinder, gentler, more nurturing world. I refuse to indulge in spoilers, but just let me say it has a delightful ending.
Now tell me – what have you been reading? Love children’s books too? Ever write
to a child to encourage them? Do tell – you know I love to hear.
These sound like high quality books. Since I’m expecting a grandchild in May, I will be (I hope!) buying and reading many children’s books!
Sounds wonderful on all counts Margaret!
Hari OM
I have no connections with any children for this to be something that I would undertake. That said, I can totally see the purpose and loved your reviews here! I do believe writing for kids takes a particular skill. If I could develop it, I am sure it would be a lucrative market. It’s not where my focus lies, though.
I was given, for Christmas, a book of collected Scottish Cat Poems, which I have been greatly enjoying – some of them being what might be termed as ‘nonsense’ ditties and which could fall under the category of ‘for children of all ages’. Then, “Corvus” by Elspeth Woolfson. Am holding off on this one as I anticipate it being read too fast and then it will all be over… YAM xx
Well frankly Yamini, I have no idea how “Corvus” slipped past me. I’m queen of corvoid love and read extensively about my beloved friends. I’ll be adding this one to my TBR list – thanks for the heads up!
The Scottish Cat Poems sound amusing – and just the thing for lightening long winter nights.
Hi Deborah – what a wonderful post … I particularly liked the idea of Katharine Rundell’s book – why we should read children’s book, and then the Maria Popova one … she is just amazing in her research and ideas … the Velocity of Beings sounds fascinating. I’m a scanner/reader of many books … probably not the best way – but the way it is for now … thanks for these suggestions – cheers Hilary
Maria Popova is an inspiration isn’t she?! Just as your thorough research on a wide variety of topics inspires me Hilary. When you’re adept at it and blogging as frequently as you do, I can understand your scanning tendencies. May you always find wonderful things that capture your attention!
What a delightful post!! This one line from one of the books made me laugh.
“Think of children’s books as literary vodka.”
You mentioned you don’t count children’s books read on your annual count of books read for the year. I’m curious as to how many you might read in one year (children’s books). Reading children’s books just for myself is such a new concept for me and yet very intriguing. I’m definitely going to keep this list and check out which ones might be at my local library.
I’d be hard-pressed to guess how many children’s books Elda, but I imagine 40 or 50 a year. It’s such a delicious field of wonderfulness to dip into, and the library is the perfect way to do it. You can have the delight of looking through the stacks and pull a few and then sit for a while and read. I hope you have a chance to do that.
I love this post. It brought me back to reading with my son many moons ago and how I got to enjoy books a different way when I read with him.
And I’ve saved many of his childhood books. . . maybe I will find the box with the intent to read one or two.
Interesting timing of your post, for me. I have a couple of children’s books I was thinking about reading live on my FB biz page to bring up a money conversation with people. Maybe this is the exact encouragement I needed to move forward with that.
Thank you!
I imagine it would great fun to uncover a box of your son’s books and dip into them. Lots of memories no doubt.
And how interesting about your possible plan of reading live on your FB page – what a fascinating idea! I look forward to hearing more about this Julie.
Thank you for the review! I loved reading these very types of books to my kids and I miss that now that they are “adulting”…..your description of kid’s reading and learning – even if there were big or unfamiliar words brings me back to my childhood. I read everything I could from the local “bookmobile”, even if I did not understand the words! I must have had a notation system in my brain as I remember learning some of those words in Kind/1st grade and thinking “oh THAT’S what it means!” I have had an idea in my head of a children’s story I want to write – Your reviews make me want to get going….THANK YOU!!
I’m always fascinated to hear how avid readers came to their first love of reading. It makes me smile thinking of this little universal collective of children discovering the joys of books.
And yay you – write that story. Get those words out into the world!
Well, well… I do have my fave children’s books from when my 3 littles, were still little. And as a children’s librarian, I am all over the “read children’s books” gig! What is crazy to me these days is that the young families of today do NOT know any Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes. Not even Jack and Jill!!! So, I make sure to drag those old tired ones out periodically so the GRANDPARENTS can chime in, too!!!
Always a pleasure popping in here!
LOL – you have to do your part Vicki. Keep those nursery rhymes alive!
I confess I had absolutely no idea you were a children’s librarian. That absolutely delights me. Now I’ll think of you every time I’m pouring over the shelves in the children’s section of my local library. 🙂
I love that quotation about how children’s books are like literary vodka! We have a few favorites here that we still read, even though my daughter is 11 now.
I have the Maria Popova book but have not opened it yet. It seems like it’d be a perfect treat on a rainy day.
Lovely post!
Old favorites are lovely treasures to return to- we’re never too old. And I agree that Velocity of Being would be a wonderful book to curl up with on a rainy day. I’ll look forward to your review at some point.
I have adored children’s books for decades and love that you love them here.
And your language of flowers rating – swoon:)
I hand you a fistfull of fern fronds to say thanks for this fascinating post:)
Wonderful place you’ve built here.
– Jennifer
What kind words Jennifer, and I’m delighted to accept the fistful of ferns. 🙂
Layla’s Happiness looks like a book with a message that transcends age. I haven’t read any children books in years, which is kind of odd now that I think about it. Thanks for the idea.
You’re welcome Ally Bean – I think it’s a good one to follow up on.