More This, Less That

And now it's time for a little segment I'd like to call, "More This, Less That," in which I compare two books by the same children's author. One book will be celebrated for its great story and smooth, masterful prose; the other, held up as an encouraging lesson for all would-be-writers: Even the greats have at least one stinker.  

A part of me, albeit a small part, hates to do this, because I know how difficult it actually is to write a book.  But another part of me, a bigger part, can't keep her trap shut about most things. Bear in mind that the authors I'll be choosing for these comparisons are those I generally love.  All I'm really doing here is highlighting what works, and what doesn't.

Face it: kids are just like adults in so many ways, and here I'm chiefly concerned with the fact that they don't want to read or listen to a book unless it has a good story, characters they can identify with, and strong writing.  This goes back to what Parents should not reach for the book that hits their children over the head with life lessons.  That kid'll go the BLEEP to sleep when he's good and ready, thank you very much.  (By the way anyone actually reading "Go the BLEEP to Sleep" to their kids, much less listening to the Samuel L. Jackson audio version with them, I'm calling Child Protective Services.)

My goodness, where were we? Yes, kids love a good story. Too many books today are marketed to parents, what with them being the ones with pay checks, and all. Too few books are centered around the elements kids adore.

Your child's love of reading starts really early, but it's hard to tell sometimes, when a child is two, whether she's really enjoying the book you're reading, or whether it's snuggling with you that's the draw. As she gets older, if the books are good, if they can stand alone without Mom or Dad cuddle time, she may just become an avid reader. If you read her boring lesson-centered books, you send the message that reading is boring and instructional, and what's more, she can't identify with the kid that eats her veggies and goes to sleep without a struggle and always "uses her words."

The books I'm comparing today fit right into my soapbox tirades.  Let's start with the stinker. I anticipate some disgruntled responses, because I know many moms and dads who LOVE this book.  I don't know, however, any kids that do. The reason? It's super duper, 100%, completely, utterly and totally creeptastic.

Robert Munsch's "Love You Forever" is a book about a mother and son relationship that is, um, close. Painfully close. Disturbingly, stalkerishly close.  What son climbs into his dying mother's window to rock her to sleep?  And in a CHILDREN'S BOOK, no less?  What four-year-old is going to say, "Gee Mom, I can't wait for that day to come!"  

Kids cannot identify with this book, so why do parents love it? Because it's written for them. Hey Dad, remember that time your son stuck your cell phone in the garbage disposal? Well, don't worry, he'll be holding you as you die. Hey Mom, remember when your daughter ate your lipstick? No problem!  As a grown woman she'll break into your house to be with you in the middle of the night. She'll love you just that much.  Imagine.  Frankly, Mr. Munsch, I don't want to.

"The Paper Bag Princess," however, also written by Robert Munsch, is witty, engaging, empowering to little girls, and entertaining to parents.  A princess who tricks the dragon, saves the prince, and then ditches him because he's a shallow louse? More This, please.