A Good Story is a Good Story -- Children's Book Week

There is a prevailing attitude among adults that reading children's books or young adult books is a waste of their time. There are so many adult books they want to read, why should they spend any time reading kid's books? The quality just isn't the same. It's not for them.

I really disagree.

But I didn't always. When I first heard perfectly sound and reasonable adults were reading Young Adult novels, I thought..."why?" I felt pretty sure I wouldn't enjoy young adult novels and visions of Jessica and Elizabeth danced in my head. But I kept seeing that adults were reading YA novels (and for some reason it never occurred to me that my favorite books, Harry Potter, were YA) so I decided to give it a try. My first foray into the world of YA books was Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely and I haven't looked back. I was so enthralled by the world she created that I was willing to try more and I haven't regretted it.

But what about children's books? I work with adults with poor reading skills and we use children's books as tools. Some of these books...I have read them hundreds if not thousands of times and some are so well crafted and beautifully written that I am still touched by them. I still feel something. Hope, sorrow, sympathy, and joy. I still see the world in a new and different way.

So you see, it's not really about adult books or YA books, or children's books. A good story is a good story. Some are written with every audience in mind, and some with older audiences. But the human experience is still the same for us all and we can find ourselves in a good story.

I found out that this week is Children's Book Week. A whole week to celebrate children's books! What could be better?

So here's my personal little challenge to you....read a children's book this week. Even if you have no children like myself. Even if haven't read one for years. Or even if you read one every day...read a children's book for yourself. Find one you've never read or revisit a favorite from your childhood. And enjoy!

If you don't know where to start, I'd suggest Eve Bunting. I love her books! My adult students also really enjoy them. Some of my favorites are Train to Somewhere, Fly Away Home, and Dandelions.

Who are your favorite children's book authors?