I have an infinite fondness for children’s books, and have afairly large collection of them that I haul from place to place. Some of them are mine, some of them I “appropriated”
from my home. Some of them are gifts and
some of them are children’s books for adults.
Children’s books I love because when they are done well, there is a
perfect melding of text and illustration that enriches both.
I suppose some people could make this argument for comics,
and while I enjoy comics, I just don’t have the same attachment to them as children’s
books.
and while I enjoy comics, I just don’t have the same attachment to them as children’s
books.
I came across one the other day while at the Hyattsville
Library. Now, the girls and I have a
favorite librarian at the Hyattsville Library.
We call her Mrs. D for short (Mrs. Danielle). She’s amazing. She remembers that Bella loves mysteries and
Vivi loves Maisy and knows my standing rule is I’ll only read 3 character books
per child before we have to pick something else. (character books are books
like the Bernstein Bears, Dora the Explorer, Aurthur, Franklin, etc… basically
books that are perfectly lovely but a bit formulaic, and can get boring for an
adult to read. I want the girls to
discover things other than mainstream books).
She’s the one who has recommended children’s books to me that have
stayed on my keeper shelf: Ladybug Girl, anything by Gerald Morris, and several
others.
Library. Now, the girls and I have a
favorite librarian at the Hyattsville Library.
We call her Mrs. D for short (Mrs. Danielle). She’s amazing. She remembers that Bella loves mysteries and
Vivi loves Maisy and knows my standing rule is I’ll only read 3 character books
per child before we have to pick something else. (character books are books
like the Bernstein Bears, Dora the Explorer, Aurthur, Franklin, etc… basically
books that are perfectly lovely but a bit formulaic, and can get boring for an
adult to read. I want the girls to
discover things other than mainstream books).
She’s the one who has recommended children’s books to me that have
stayed on my keeper shelf: Ladybug Girl, anything by Gerald Morris, and several
others.
Yesterday she pointed me to Precious Little, a new children’s
book that has come out. Precious Little
is up there with some of my other favorite children’s books, that melds art and
story in a way that is just… amazing.
The illustrations for the book have depth, the allegories and metaphors
are great. It was a book that after I
finished reading it to the girls (twice) I stayed looking at it myself because
it was just that good. I’m planning to
buy myself a copy.
book that has come out. Precious Little
is up there with some of my other favorite children’s books, that melds art and
story in a way that is just… amazing.
The illustrations for the book have depth, the allegories and metaphors
are great. It was a book that after I
finished reading it to the girls (twice) I stayed looking at it myself because
it was just that good. I’m planning to
buy myself a copy.
Now, I don’t talk and recommend books very often, both
because my tastes tend to run toward a very specific set of genres, and also
because… well, my love of books is very deeply personal in a way that is almost
like telling a room full of strangers my most embarrassing moments. But this book I think deserves to be talked
about.
because my tastes tend to run toward a very specific set of genres, and also
because… well, my love of books is very deeply personal in a way that is almost
like telling a room full of strangers my most embarrassing moments. But this book I think deserves to be talked
about.
So just… go to your local library and check it out for me.
On a side note… do you have a favorite children’s book, or a
book that speaks to the child in you?
Tell me about it. I’m always up
to reading new books.
book that speaks to the child in you?
Tell me about it. I’m always up
to reading new books.
