Jerry: Children's Literature, what's the deal?
Elaine: What do you mean? It's books for kids.
Jerry: Yeah, but can only kids read them? What if I want to read one? Is that not allowed?
Elaine: So, you're saying you want to read Dr. Seuss. I say go ahead.
George: I love Dr. Seuss.
Kramer: (bursting through the door) Hey, did somebody say something about Dr. Seuss?
Imaginary Jerry brings up a good point. What is the deal? What is children's literature? Infamous book snob (and critical genius) Harold Bloom, in the introduction to Stories and Poems for Extremely Intelligent Children of All Ages, says, "Most of what is now commercially offered as children's literature would be inadequate fare for any reader of any age at any time." There he goes harping on about universality again, but his point is clear: there's a lot of junky books out there. Assuming that imaginary Elaine is correct, that children's literature is simply books for kids, then what makes for good children's literature? This is a question I'm eager to explore. Tons of smart people (Bloom included) have plenty to say on the topic, but I'm curious about what you think.
So, I've thought back to my own childhood, made a list of books that stand out in my memory, and I'd like you to do the same. These are the books that I remember reading, or in a couple of instances remember them being read to me by a teacher. I figure that's a pretty good measure of the impact the book had on me. I've skipped over the early childhood stuff, but feel free to include those in your own list.
- The Secret of NIMH, by Robert C. O'brien
- The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, by Mark Twain
- The Mouse and the Motorcycle, by Beverly Cleary
- The Trumpet of the Swan, by E.B. White
- The Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis
- The Hardy Boys series, by Franklin W. Dixon (pseudonym)
- The Phantom Tollbooth, by Norton Juster
- The Alligator and His Uncle Tooth, by Geoffrey Hayes
- Hatchet, by Gary Paulson
- They Whipping Boy, by Sid Fleischman
Please post a comment with your own "most memorable children's book" list. Also, you can explore these books by checking out my list on Indiebound.
