Well said. As a writer, I think about this ALL of the time. Story trumps all! A story will always teach the reader something - how the writer does that will reveal much about his or her grasp on craft, natural talent, or willingness to think and push themselves creatively (not be lazy). The brain delights in surprise, though your example of the bullying book is a good one. Some of my most memorable reads as a child fall into the category of knock-me-over-the-head, complete with a cassette tape and accompanying music! I can still sing many of the words thirty years later…and now can never tell a lie 😉
Hear hear! I always really struggle with this especially as you know I focus very much on specific themes. The absolute best books are the ones that totally grip you with their story and it’s a bonus if you walk away learning something!
The only one we've loved in our house is Please, Mr Panda which has a slightly subversive message. Now when we need a manners reminder, we say "pleeaaassseee, Mr Panda!"
Just joining the choir here :) my kids are older now, but i also found those books irritating in the extreme. Especially the ones that were overtly “for girls.” Some of it I found went too far, like they were meant to be empowering but blew way past that, into something almost toxic. Girls don’t need picture books that are basically lectures about how they must go out there and “be amazing” or “fearless” or whatever. No one needs that!
I'm seeing that shift you're talking about in middle grade too, tbh. There's just a lot more values-driven stuff, and its just as boring there as it is in picture books. I think these things come in waves though, and I don't think it'll be too long before we see a backlash.
Haha. Just yesterday, something possessed me to read the kids a preachy book about body autonomy at the library. Hard to tell which family member was most bored!
Agree agree agree! I'm hoping this publishing trend soon dies as I still have to flick past loads of picture books at the library that are either sermons or just a list of "how amazing it is to be you!" which is super boring to read for all concerned, regardless of the quality of the illustrations. My other bugbear are books where a character says "but girls can't do that" and then the book is like, "No! Girls can actually do anything!" Surely the book could just demonstrate girls doing things without having to point it out in the text in a way that feels kind of counter productive.
THANK YOU for saying this! I cancelled my subscription to Literati (which I really enjoyed) several years ago because every.single.book. had a Message. And it drove me crazy. I’ll instill my own ethics, thank you. Meanwhile, I’d like to enjoy a good, old fashioned story with plot and illustrations with my family.
Yes to this. I start gagging a bit when I’m forced to read those books. My preschoolers enjoyed reading Sam and Dave Dig A Hole by Mac Barnett—- it was so refreshing reading something so silly and joyful.
Completely agree! Though it’s hard because sweet and supportive family members are quick to buy this kind of book for my kids (knowing how much we love books)! Something about the flat moralizing is very marketable.
A million times yes!! I think it's telling if those types of books somehow get in our house, they're the ones my kids never ask to read again.
Well said. As a writer, I think about this ALL of the time. Story trumps all! A story will always teach the reader something - how the writer does that will reveal much about his or her grasp on craft, natural talent, or willingness to think and push themselves creatively (not be lazy). The brain delights in surprise, though your example of the bullying book is a good one. Some of my most memorable reads as a child fall into the category of knock-me-over-the-head, complete with a cassette tape and accompanying music! I can still sing many of the words thirty years later…and now can never tell a lie 😉
I love cheeky Sarah and what she is saying! Preachiness = 🙄
Also: Thank you for the Wiley Coyote clip! 😵💫
Hear hear! I always really struggle with this especially as you know I focus very much on specific themes. The absolute best books are the ones that totally grip you with their story and it’s a bonus if you walk away learning something!
The only one we've loved in our house is Please, Mr Panda which has a slightly subversive message. Now when we need a manners reminder, we say "pleeaaassseee, Mr Panda!"
Yes and yes. Writing for children is a privilege, they are not lesser beings to be talked down to.
Just joining the choir here :) my kids are older now, but i also found those books irritating in the extreme. Especially the ones that were overtly “for girls.” Some of it I found went too far, like they were meant to be empowering but blew way past that, into something almost toxic. Girls don’t need picture books that are basically lectures about how they must go out there and “be amazing” or “fearless” or whatever. No one needs that!
I'm seeing that shift you're talking about in middle grade too, tbh. There's just a lot more values-driven stuff, and its just as boring there as it is in picture books. I think these things come in waves though, and I don't think it'll be too long before we see a backlash.
Haha. Just yesterday, something possessed me to read the kids a preachy book about body autonomy at the library. Hard to tell which family member was most bored!
Well said! And thanks for the mention!
👏👏👏 It seems some grownups in publishing need a reminder that children are capable of thinking and inferring and making meaning from stories.
Agree agree agree! I'm hoping this publishing trend soon dies as I still have to flick past loads of picture books at the library that are either sermons or just a list of "how amazing it is to be you!" which is super boring to read for all concerned, regardless of the quality of the illustrations. My other bugbear are books where a character says "but girls can't do that" and then the book is like, "No! Girls can actually do anything!" Surely the book could just demonstrate girls doing things without having to point it out in the text in a way that feels kind of counter productive.
THANK YOU for saying this! I cancelled my subscription to Literati (which I really enjoyed) several years ago because every.single.book. had a Message. And it drove me crazy. I’ll instill my own ethics, thank you. Meanwhile, I’d like to enjoy a good, old fashioned story with plot and illustrations with my family.
Yes to this. I start gagging a bit when I’m forced to read those books. My preschoolers enjoyed reading Sam and Dave Dig A Hole by Mac Barnett—- it was so refreshing reading something so silly and joyful.
Completely agree! Though it’s hard because sweet and supportive family members are quick to buy this kind of book for my kids (knowing how much we love books)! Something about the flat moralizing is very marketable.