A few years ago, during a period of mourning, some part of me felt strongly drawn back to my childhood as I navigated my way through the strange workings of grief. Nickelodeon became my go-to channel. I revisited Disney favourites and frequented the children’s section in my neighbourhood bookstore. Children’s books were not only my preferred genre for quite some time, but they also ended up being the topic of my master’s dissertation and led to my ongoing PhD. I know I am not alone in reading them, but what is it about children’s books that attracts adults?
Children’s literature has come a long way since its dawn. Its origins are typically traced back to fairy tales (despite them rarely being crafted for younger audiences). On the contrary, the first editions of the Grimm tales, for instance, were deemed unsuitable for child readers or listeners and had to be adapted before reaching that audience. The concept of childhood itself was not clearly defined before the 18th century. It was only after its development that books explicitly intended for children started being written, the first examples assuming an educative (knowledge or social conduct) role.
Latterly, the term acts as an umbrella to include classics, picture books, graphic novels, and fairy tales, as well as non-fiction books written for children. The material is becoming increasingly diverse in terms of characters and inclusive in terms of topics and themes. Technological developments have also left an imprint on children’s reading habits; books increasingly have to compete with a range of devices and apps for the youngsters’ attention. Whilst digital media can be a distraction, it can also complement traditional formats and enhance reading. Audiobooks, e-books, and interactive tools are some of the options that offer new kinds of experiences.
Nonetheless, children’s literature has seldom been taken seriously. In the UK, the likes of J.K. Rowling and Philip Pullman succeeded in repositioning the genre, yet children’s books tend to be overlooked by the juries of major literary prizes. This is despite many believing that genuinely good stories can be enjoyed by readers regardless of their age group.
Most of us remember the fictional characters that kept us company when we were young. The potential power our childhood readings have to shape us is not dismissible, as affirmed by numerous academic studies. Still, as we grow older, we gradually swap adventure stories with literary fiction and Booker-prize winners, sneering at the prospect of picking up a chapter book instead. In the mix of routine and obligations our adult lives are often overflowing with, we forget the sense of wonder our childhood reads were full of. We don’t have the time for magic, convinced we have grown beyond it, dismissing it as silly and trivial. How wrong we are!
Reading children’s literature not only transports us back to our childhood, brimming with nostalgia and whimsy but evokes a feeling of potential and enchantment. It fulfils our deep-seated desire for a happy ending, meanwhile acting as a comforting solace against the stresses of adult life. Moreover, when we revisit the pages of our beloved stories as grown-up readers, we can interact with them differently and uncover more layers. I, for one, always enjoy witnessing the author winking at the adult reader with an allusion or image carefully embedded within a story.
In today’s cultural landscape, children’s literature continues to be an essential and vibrant aspect. Adults should not overlook its power to offer new perspectives or its capacity to act as an inviting shelter when life gets a little too much.
Are you convinced and ready to pick up some books? Here are some ideas for you to delve into the rewarding worlds children’s literature has to offer:
- A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’ Engle – A favourite classic on the challenges of being different and the importance of being true to oneself.
- Fairyland series by Catherynne Valente – The novels follow a young girl named September and her fantastical adventures in Fairyland.
- The Chronicles of Little Nicholas by René Goscinny and Jean-Jacques Sempé (illustrator) – The creator of Asterix and Lucky Luke has created a delightful character in Nicholas, and the distinct sense of humour is equally enjoyable by younger and older readers.
- The Polar Bear Explorer’s Club by Alex Bell – Perfect for adventurers who prefer reading them to actually setting off on one!
- Pan’s Labyrinth: The Labyrinth of the Faun by Guillermo del Toro and Cornelia Funke – This dark fairy tale based on the director’s acclaimed movie follows Ofelia as she simultaneously navigates a magical world and her own crippling one.
- The Infinite Lives of Maisie Day by Christopher Edge – A novel consisting equally of mystery and science fiction.
- Pages & Co. series by Anna James – The perfect choice for book lovers of any age.
- The Solitaire Mystery by Jostein Gaarder – This fantasy novel by the author of Sophie’s World follows twelve-year-old Hans Thomas and his father on their journey across Europe in search of the boy’s mother.
- The Beast Player by Nahoko Uehashi – A Japanese fantasy coming-of-age tale and the relationship between humans and animals.
- Look Up! By Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola (illustrator) – A beautiful picture book about Rocket, the greatest astronaut that will ever be.
Image “Harry Potter book series” by bibicall is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.