Are you too proud to read or admit to enjoying children's literature [Archive]

African_Love

10-11-2009, 01:21 PM

I ordered Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card because it sounded interesting and it was listed by Modern Library as one of the 100 best novels of the 20th century (off topic, I prefer Radcliffe's list). I was disappointed when it arrived because I had no idea it was a children's book.

I consider myself to be an egalitarian, I regard children as being my equals (not equally intelligent or equally mature but deserving of equal respect and consideration). If I believe children should be taken seriously as persons, why should I be ashamed to read a book intended for children or add it to my bookshelf? There are a lot of books I read when I was younger (Goosebumps, Animorphs, a lot of stuff by Bruce Coville etc.) that I would enjoy now. Charlotte's Web also sounds interesting, I can't remember whether or not I ever read it. I plan on eventually getting around to Ender's Game but I'm hesitant to add it to my bookshelf (I have it hidden in my closet, lol). Do you think it's strange for an adult to read children's literature?

Niamh

10-11-2009, 01:35 PM

no, its not strange at all for an adult to read childrens books. I think you will find that a lot of people actually do.

Lokasenna

10-11-2009, 01:49 PM

If its a quality piece of writing, then its possible to enjoy it at any age. My Godson is six, and we read together quite often - stuff like Treasure Island, Peter Pan, the Alice books, Wind in the Willows, and I have to admit they're marvellous.

Then you get things like Blake's poetry, that means different things to different age groups, or something like Pullman's Dark Materials trilogy that are open to individual interpretation.

So no, I've no qualms or snobbery about reading kid's books. Just don't expect to break out the Harry Potter any time soon...

Lulim

10-11-2009, 02:03 PM

Like Niamh, I don't consider it strange at all to read childrens books.

When my kids were younger, I read nearly all the stuff they read only because I wanted to know what it is about. In the process, I discovered that a lot of childrens books are complete rubbish (alas, I can't name examples): Some authors and publishers don't seem to set great store on correctness in childrens books while in my opinion childrens books and their contents should be evaluated at least as carefully as adults books, or class books.

Then again, there are childrens books brimming with nothingness and silliness, which only serve to dull the childrens minds ... oh wait, this applies to many adults books also ...

Janine

10-11-2009, 02:14 PM

Are you too proud to read or admit to enjoying children's literature

Never! I would enjoy and do enjoy children's literature and poems emensely. As a child, my father used to read us Oscar Wilde's short story/fairytales, such as the "The Selfish Giant", "The Nightengale and the Rose", "The Happy Prince"; all are still dear to my heart. He also read us poems like "Wynken, Bynken, and Nod", which, to this day, I adore. I should probably read "Alice in Wonderland" now that I am all grown-up. I loved the book "The Boxcar Children (or was it Kids?)"...at anyrate, I picked it up not long ago on my library freebie shelf and intend to read it someday. When I had my son as a young child I used to read him Sendak's "Where the Wild Things Are"; also "Curious George Gets a Medal" - both were his favorites; mine, too! Now that I have a grand-daughter I hope someday to read these to her. We revisit our own childhood in the pages of these books. We can never outgrow their charm. Heck, I even loved Sesame Street books and still do find them very entertaining. My grand-daughter at the tender age of 17 months loves Sesame Street already.

LukeS.

10-11-2009, 02:30 PM

mal4mac

10-11-2009, 02:38 PM

It's a great way to relax after reading Dostoevsky. I recently read Treasure Island, without the excuse of reading it to a child :). Great entertainment. I read Pullman's trilogy recently - didn't like it much (shouldn't have forced myself to finish it... I guess adults should give up if a book gets *too* childish/boring)

African_Love

10-11-2009, 03:23 PM

I wouldn't be ashamed of reading children's literature, although it may not be very satisfying....however, Ender's Game is children's literature? Really? I don't know about that. Sure, it is genre fiction, but you won't find it in the children's section of a bookstore.

I was wondering if I got a different copy than the one I had in mind but I know of no children's version. My copy says 'for ages 10 and up' and it came with a bunch of children's literature pamphlets. My copy has a really childish cover. I found another copy at a store once and it was in the regular sci-fi section.

Lynne50

10-11-2009, 04:37 PM

Just finished Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls. Usually this book is read by 4th-6th graders. I picked it up and read it for the first time. It was an immensely satisfying story, very sad, but worth reading.
And Janine The Boxcar Children was one of my all time favorites when I was in 3rd grade. I was mesmerized how the children were able to set up a 'household' in a boxcar. I secretly wanted to leave home and pretend I could live on my own.

I wouldn't be able to list all the young adult books that adults would find enjoyable. Good writing is good writing, no matter the intended audience.

jessicafinch

10-11-2009, 05:52 PM

Some Childrens books are the best stories you'd ever read. Phillip Pulman (one of the best 'childrens' writers) said he writes what he wants to read, so read what you want to read. Don't be constrained by a genre, but I would say that as a struggling 'childrens' writer!

haprdgn

10-11-2009, 07:11 PM

I'm a huge Roald Dahl fan; A lot of his children books are darker than most adult books I've read.

higley

10-11-2009, 07:17 PM

Do you think it's strange for an adult to read children's literature?

Naw. Several years ago I walked into a Wendy's restaurant and saw a well-dressed woman of about 65 reading one of the Harry Potter books. She had it propped on a dainty little clear book stand. It was so funny for some reason.

I think that the line between literature "appropriate" ages is marked by factors such as the use of fantasy or the age of the protagonist. Someone made a thread a while ago wondering about adult literature with child protagonists, which there is not a lot of that I have read. Obviously adults generally want to read/hear about adults, and kids want to read/hear about kids. But there are far more integral adult characters in children's literature than there are children in adult fiction. I guess this is because kids still have adulthood to look forward to, and thus can maintain an interest in those older characters. Sometimes adults have difficulty remembering they don't necessarily need to abandon all the elements of fiction and stories they enjoyed as children, but when they're reminded of these things, they dismiss them as childish and irrelevant.

Now Harry Potter obviously was one of the most successful at transcending boundaries, and I think part of that is that it wasn't written quite as simply as most kids' literature, with complex plots and themes. What stops some other youth literature is that it is written so simply as to bore adults.

Drkshadow03

10-11-2009, 07:26 PM

I was wondering if I got a different copy than the one I had in mind but I know of no children's version. My copy says 'for ages 10 and up' and it came with a bunch of children's literature pamphlets. My copy has a really childish cover. I found another copy at a store once and it was in the regular sci-fi section.

Ender's Game is often part of middle school reading lists around here. I didn't read until I was about 18 I would guess, maybe later.

wat??

10-11-2009, 07:40 PM

I still read and reread the Chronicles of Narnia every once in a while.

African_Love

10-11-2009, 08:28 PM

I still read and reread the Chronicles of Narnia every once in a while.

I vaguely remember reading that, I think I enjoyed it. I would read it (again?) online or from the library but I don't think I would buy a children's novel.

I couldn't find Charlotte's Web online but I found The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. I think I'll give it a try.

hellsapoppin

10-11-2009, 08:36 PM

:nod:

Heck, at this time of year I greatly enjoy spook tales about ghosts and goblins. In the old days in New York these were especially popular. Don't know if kids and their parents sit by the camp fires and read or recite them as they used to but they sure were fun!

prendrelemick

10-12-2009, 03:32 AM

Terry Prachett's Gnome Trilogy, One of my all time favourite reads, is supposed to be for children. They have pride of place on my shelves, and I recommend them without embarrasment to anyone who'll listen.

Janine

10-12-2009, 03:08 PM

I still read and reread the Chronicles of Narnia every once in a while.

Is it better than the movie? I was not that impressed with the film; but I have heard some excerpts read from the book and they seemed to be quite charming. I think I would like to listen to more when I have the time to.

NickAdams

10-12-2009, 03:32 PM

I read Lucky Monkey, Unlucky Monkey recently; I had to special order it. The Giving Tree is a favorite of mine; I had a friend over, a week or two ago, and had him read it. He read it aloud in a mocking tone until he reached: "But time went by."

Janine

10-12-2009, 03:35 PM

Who doesn't love "Peter Pan" at any age?

I loved the book "Tuck Everlasting"...it's in the children's section of my library - older kids, early teens I guess. I loved the film with William Hurt and afterwards I just had to read the book. It was a very enjoyable read with a lot of deeper meaning on life and death.

wat??

10-12-2009, 04:46 PM

Is it better than the movie? I was not that impressed with the film; but I have heard some excerpts read from the book and they seemed to be quite charming. I think I would like to listen to more when I have the time to.

The movie(s) are pretty bad no matter which versions you're watching, the recent ones however are particularly bad. The books however are great.

sadparadise

10-12-2009, 04:57 PM

I am not ashamed to say that I am quite fond of some children's literature. Having two children of my own has allowed me to revisit some of the literature I enjoyed as a child. My daughter and I are presently reading Alice in Wonderland, and I am enjoying every word of it. I am looking forward to reading The Wind and the Willows with her and reading the Outsider trilogy with my son.

*Classic*Charm*

10-12-2009, 05:50 PM

Is it better than the movie? I was not that impressed with the film; but I have heard some excerpts read from the book and they seemed to be quite charming. I think I would like to listen to more when I have the time to.

SO much better! I love those books. I read them over and over when I was younger. My first reading was in the second grade, I think. They're my favourite kids lit.

Helga

10-12-2009, 06:02 PM

I like a lot of children's books, right now I'm taking a class in children's literature so I'm reading a lot of them...

Barbarous

10-12-2009, 08:33 PM

After a myriad of mind-numbing hours reading Gaddis or Joyce or someone like that, I do enjoy reading some Goosebumps, as I did when I was little. It's the equivalent to watching some reality television show like Flavor of Love, you obviously (anyone not a child reading children's books) aren't going to get much out of it, but that's sort of the point.

Janine

10-12-2009, 10:46 PM

Just finished Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls. Usually this book is read by 4th-6th graders. I picked it up and read it for the first time. It was an immensely satisfying story, very sad, but worth reading.

That sounds good. I know I have heard of it before; but don't think I ever read it.

And Janine The Boxcar Children was one of my all time favorites when I was in 3rd grade. I was mesmerized how the children were able to set up a 'household' in a boxcar. I secretly wanted to leave home and pretend I could live on my own.

Oh wow, Lynne, you read it back then too? I loved it and I also imagined running away and living in a boxcar like they did. I happen to pick the book up somewhere a few years ago and it's on my 'must eventually read' list. Who knows, maybe someday I will be reading it to my grand-daughter, or she will be reading it herself.

I wouldn't be able to list all the young adult books that adults would find enjoyable. Good writing is good writing, no matter the intended audience.

Lynne, I would agree with that! Did you ever read "Tuck Everlasting"? Its wonderful!

Mathor

10-13-2009, 03:07 AM

Is it better than the movie? I was not that impressed with the film; but I have heard some excerpts read from the book and they seemed to be quite charming. I think I would like to listen to more when I have the time to.

Oh my god! Those books were the greatest part of my youth. I wish I still had them now. The movie was an epic failure, and had nothing even remotely close to the magic of the books.

Niamh

10-13-2009, 05:33 AM

I grew up on Narnia. would still read them today.
But its not just books that i read as a kid that i'd reread. If i read the back of a new title for kids and liked the sound of it, i'd have no problem buying it or reading it. The Blart books by Dominic Barker are hillarious, I love the Faerie wars books by Herbie Brennan and some of my fav books are the Artemis Fowl ones by Eoin Colfer.
Bridge to Terabithia was amazing.

Boo Radley

10-13-2009, 10:27 PM

I'm a huge Roald Dahl fan; A lot of his children books are darker than most adult books I've read.

I agree. The Iron Man (Hughes) is also a marvellous read. I read Little house in the Big Woods and Little House on the Prairie just recently. I was greatly entertained by them.

isidro

10-13-2009, 11:46 PM

There are so many adult books out there I haven't gotten to yet that who has the time to reread?

crystalmoonshin

10-14-2009, 07:56 AM

Still can't get over the Redwall series. But I've outgrown Sweet Valley, Buffy, Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, Goosebumps and Spookesville.

Mariamosis

10-14-2009, 08:33 AM

I love children's literature and find it extremely entertaining. I mix it in between my so called "serious" reading. At the moment I am reading Frank Baum's 'Complete Book of Oz' with George R.R. Martin's 'A Clash of Kings'. I am also a huge fan of Madeleine L'Engle's 'A Wrinkle in Time'.

Mariamosis

10-14-2009, 08:40 AM

I couldn't find Charlotte's Web online but I found The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. I think I'll give it a try.

So far I have finished 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz' and have almost finished 'The Marvelous Land of Oz'. They are very clever and humorous and I hope you will enjoy them as much as I am!

You can find 'Charlotte's Web' on Amazon.com

Three Sparrows

10-14-2009, 04:59 PM

When I was little, my favorite stories were Hobyia, Hobyia, Hobyia, and the Hunchback Horse. I still love to look back on them, and sometimes read them again. I never was a huge fan of fantasy, but I will always have a soft spot for children's fairy tales. Oh, I almost forgot Roverandum! I loved that book.
Anyway, back to reading Dostoevsky(I actually am reading him right now:nod:).

The Comedian

10-14-2009, 08:06 PM

I love reading kid's books. Of course, the only kid's book I would be ashamed of reading is the Harry Potter collection, which I hear is quite popular in some cultures for reasons inexplicable to this learned reader.

Chabonist

10-15-2009, 01:01 PM

Certainly not too proud but I have found as ive gotten older some books aimed at kids are far less enjoyable to me then they were. But others not so. I used to absoloutly love L. Frank Baum's wizard of oz and still hold them in the fondest memories but am not sure I could get into them as much now as I did back when. Most recently I read the Earth sea trilogy by Ersula K Leguin which are some of my favorite books. They harbor some very deep truths that couldn't be delivered in a better way. I regard them as holy books along with the Tao Te Ching and my complete book of blake poetry.

I think there are a lot of bokos that get marketed towards children that can be approached again when your older and you will find within them a new level of meaning then you did before.

African_Love

10-15-2009, 04:00 PM

So far I have finished 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz' and have almost finished 'The Marvelous Land of Oz'. They are very clever and humorous and I hope you will enjoy them as much as I am!

You can find 'Charlotte's Web' on Amazon.com

I enjoyed the Wonderful Wizard. Adult literature should have the soft-hearted characters and endearing themes that children's literature often has.

The only upsetting thing about the Wonderful Wizard is how violent it could get, lol. 1900 must have been a very different time.

I wonder if it says something about my intellect that I never really outgrew novels intended for children ages 9-12 but I didn't, I just stopped reading them. By the way, the Fear Street Saga by R.L. Stine was extremely interesting, I wish I could find my copy but it was accidentally thrown out!

Mariamosis

10-16-2009, 08:40 AM

I enjoyed the Wonderful Wizard. Adult literature should have the soft-hearted characters and endearing themes that children's literature often has.

The only upsetting thing about the Wonderful Wizard is how violent it could get, lol. 1900 must have been a very different time.

Yes, I am a little suprised at all of the heads and limbs being lobbed off.

amalia1985

10-16-2009, 05:42 PM

I do read some of the books I buy for my little niece. I love all the fairytales with their beautiful illustrations. After all, they make me feel like a child again, and help me travel towards many of the things that got lost through time.

Snowqueen

10-19-2009, 12:48 PM

I think it’s always fun to read children's literature. I enjoyed reading James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the Boy by Roald Dahl. I have also bought a collection of Hans Christian Andersen Fairy Tales and looking forward to read it.

Janine

10-19-2009, 01:18 PM

This is something I am so looking forward to with my grand-daughter. I saw her yesterday and books enchant her completely. Of course, we are only at the stage of picture books with animals, shapes, etc.; but these she loves to look at and to mimic the animal sounds - that part really delights me. Her father, my son, reads to her every night and he is now taking her to the big local library near him; he told me he wanted her to have the 'library experience' at an eary age. I had to laugh - a 17 month old perusing the library shelves. But actually, she does love going there! It's funny, my son was never a reader himself but having a child is making him into one. I think he enjoys the books as much as she does. I also think he picks up a book for himself now at the library and is reading more than he ever did his whole life long. I am glad he finally discovered how satisifying reading can be.