What a difference the right book can make. If you loved reading, think back on
those old childhood favorites. I
loved Nancy Drew. She was smart,
independent, solved mysteries and traveled to far away places. I learned a lot from the series, such as what a figurehead
was on a ship, histories of other countries, and so much more. The writers never shied away from big
words and I am certain my vocabulary grew while I learned how to escape from
handcuffs, chase bad guys and rescue little boys from rivers. I think the brave young sleuth (as she
was often called) was kidnapped, chased by cars and airplanes, or bonked on
the head in nearly every story.
I loved My Side of the Mountain, Flight of the Doves, Pippi
Longstocking and countless others.
There are so many wonderful children’s books out there, and quite a few
horrible imitations. A good book
doesn’t talk down to the reader. A
good book teaches but never instructs.
A good book is like a friend, it brings out the best in the reader. There is nothing wrong with scary
books, fantasy books, horror books or sad and tragic stories, but there is
everything wrong with books written only to manipulate a child. With all the wonderful children’s books
in existence, why buy TV character books created for the sole purpose of
promoting a name or taking advantage of a familiar face.
Good Night Moon, The Little House, stories that engage and
light little creative sparks, these are great books.
A real book is honest; it flows. It wasn’t written to teach a moral lesson, but and yet it
probably does. Even Nancy Drew, a formula
series, taught me to always be brave and do the right thing.
Good books bring joy and richness to the world of the reader. The story may make us sad, or angry,
yet our world is richer from the book.
Honey for a Child’s Heart by Gladys Hunt is a excellent compilation
of books for all ages. The first
couple of chapters speak of reasons for good books, and the following is a
quote from this book.
Eric
Fromm in his book The Art of Loving speaks of a child’s basic need for milk and
honey from his parents. Milk is
the symbol of the care a child receives for his physical needs, for his
person. Honey symbolizes the sweetness
of life, that special quality that gives the sparkle within a person. Fromm says, “Most mothers are capable
of giving milk, but only a minority of giving honey, too.” To give honey, one must love honey and
have it to give. Good books are
rich in honey.” Pg. 26.
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