As we've spoken about before, sometimes context can alter the way you think of a piece of art, whether it be the context in which you are exposed to the art or knowing the context in which the art was created. This has recently been our experience with the brand new picture book, "Bumble-Ardy" (Harper Collins 2011), by Maurice "Where the Wild Things Are" Sendak.
We started our little bookstore and immersed ourselves in the world of children's literature because we love it. It doesn't matter how long it's been and how many books come through our store, we still get excited when a new book is delivered. We get all giddy when we find out that there will be a new release from one of our favourite authors or illustrators and when we discover an amazing new book we become borderline annoying because we can't wait to share it with everyone we can.
Right now, as I am writing this post, a good friend of ours is in the middle of labour, expecting her third child (Hi Sandra!). As we've been waiting for this day, we've been thinking about some of our favourite books to give to expectant parents. Of course there is the old stand-by "Love You Forever" by Robert Munsch and Sheila McGraw, but we aren't huge fans of it. Instead, we'd like to offer up these three alternatives that you may not have heard of.
One of the things we love about children's books is that they deal with a lot of life's issues and problems in straightforward, easy to understand, and often times humorous ways. The best part is not only can children benefit from the lessons and morals found within the pages, but adults can as well. One author/illustrator who is great at speaking to children and also adults is Nicholas Oldland. It's no secret around here that we love his books.
We've always found it odd that pirates have become such popular characters for children. Gone are the brutal realities of their exploits, replaced with funny little costumes and odd speech. We're not sure what has made this sanitized modern image of pirates popular, it's probably "Treasure Island" or the Disneyland "Pirates of the Caribbean" ride, but whatever the reason it is here to stay. Not only are pirates popular characters for Halloween costumes and Lego sets, but there are also some mighty fine picture books with pirate characters. Here are some of "arrrrr" favourites:
I will be the first to admit that I am a book snob. We have always operated our bookshop based on what we consider quality titles, books that everyone can enjoy reading; to the exclusion of ones we consider to be inferior. There's nothing worse as a parent than being stuck reading terrible books to your little one night after night after night. There's nothing that will discourage a child more, than reading something they don't enjoy. Having said that, we are also a business, so we try to carefully toe the line between what is popular and what it good.
As bookstore owners, we often get asked about our opinion on what will become of the printed book with the current shift to e-readers, apps, and digital books. While it is impossible for us (or anyone else for that matter) to predict what the near future holds, we do have a couple of things we would like to talk about.
Drew here - for this post I'm going to commit what will essentially be children's-book-sacrilege. I might have to resign from being a bookstore owner after this one, but please hear me out.
I've recently had a bit of a hate/love relationship with the classic children's book "Love You Forever" written by Robert Munsch and illustrated by Sheila McGraw. It has led me to some interesting thoughts regarding emotional connections to books, especially children's books.
