I don’t usually write down quotes from books. I notice them, sometimes I add a page marker that will inevitably get stuck on another book when I put the one I’ve just read back on the shelf and end up marking a random page of a book I haven’t even read yet, but I do mark some. So picking one favourite quote is pretty much impossible. Instead I’ll choose one that fits with something I’ve been thinking about lately:
“A children’s story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children’s story in the slightest.” – C.S. Lewis
I’ve been thinking about this because I read with my kid a lot. We read at least a picture book or chapter of a book at bedtime every night. We often curl up in any down time and pick up a book to read a bit. We have books scattered through pretty much every room of the house so there’s one within reach. We even spent a while sitting on the stairs next to our front door yesterday learning about pumas and zebras while waiting to head out to the car.
One interesting thing I’ve noticed about reading with a little kid is that the books that become steadfast favourites, the ones that survive every cull of books, get pulled off the shelf again and again, and that have us both completely immersed – and often giggling in delight – are the books we both enjoy reading. Sure, there are some kid favourites that I hate, but the vast majority of the favourites that have stayed favourites are ones that have stories that appeal to me to, some good humour and/or amazing illustrations. Here are some examples:
This post took a tangential turn, but hopefully it’s of interest to anyone who has kids in their lives! What about you guys? What’s your favourite book quote? And what about kids’ books? Do you remember any you read as a child? If you’re a parent (or aunt, uncle, grandparent, doting adult in a friend’s kid’s life etc.), which books do you love reading with a kid in your life?
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[…] M @ Rain City Reads shared some thoughts on children’s books and reading together with kids […]
That’s very sweet! I don’t have any young ones in my life but I love hearing about what’s available in children’s books these days
I didn’t follow kids’ books at all until I had one of my own, but it’s been a great journey seeing the kinds of books that are out there these days for readers of all ages. There’s so much more diversity and representation, and I love that!
I love that C.S. Lewis quote.
I read children’s and YA books on occasion, but I haven’t read any of these yet. I’ll see if my local library carries them.
I didn’t used to, and so it’s taken a lot of trial and error to find these ones that I just love. They’ve got amazing art and stories that really capture something vital in the world or in relationships or that help kids learn important lessons – but without beating them over the head with it. Some even have great humour as well (Franny K. Stein)! If I had to pick one for book lovers to try, I’d say the first one – The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore. It’s just gorgeous. I think it’s based on a short film or has a short film based on it. It’s one that will delight any bibliophile!
I adore reading books with my daughter. We have a whole collection of Dr. Seuss which we read together when she was very young. She’d old enough to read on her own now, and sometimes we have reading times together where with both sit around and read and eat snacks.
Mine isn’t old enough to read independently yet, but does have an amazing memory. I’m talking fully word for word memorization after a single reading. So she can “read” books pretty well by herself once she’s heard them. So we do sometimes curl up together to read, or I’ll find her (often in odd places) with books strewn around her as she “reads” to herself. It’s delightful. I can’t wait until we get to the stage of independent reading where we can curl up and read to ourselves, but together! That sounds gorgeous.
You said, “Sure, there are some kid favourites that I hate, but the vast majority of the favourites that have stayed favourites are ones that have stories that appeal to me to, some good humour and/or amazing illustrations.” …And you know, I first realized that Wreck-It Ralph was a really good movie when Secondborn made me watch it with him seven times in the space of thirteen days and I still didn’t hate it.
Great choice of quotes; C.S. Lewis was right about this. I remember my own father reading Winnie The Pooh stories to my brother and me at bedtime.
I completely agree! There are movies that follow the same pattern. Right now I’m immersed deeply in hatred for My Little Pony (so, so many regrets) but am thrilled whenever we watch Room on the Broom or Sing or even Frozen for the umpteenth time! Those memories of being read to as a child are some of the best ones, I think. They’re cosy and full of wonder and magic. It’s one of the few things I knew I’d want to create for my kid even before I had one!
C.S. Lewis was right.
100%!