The Joy of Children's Literature

Children's Literature is a genre that is frequently overlooked by adults setting reading lists and goals. As we mature we put aside childish things and move on to what we consider 'greater' works. This is such a pity because, in doing this, we deprive ourselves of so much wonderful literature.

As a child I read and enjoyed many children's classics. Some I read to myself, others were read to me. All left wonderful memories and helped shape the reader I am today. The joy of those books never left me and when I had children of my own I bought new copies of those I'd given away and enjoyed the stories all over again. We found books that I had missed as a child and some new ones too. I looked forward to bedtime story time as much as my children. We read the What Katy Did books, the Shoe books, My Naughty Little Sister, Harry Potter, Wilma Tenderfoot. We laughed, we cried and we loved every minute.

As our children grew and were ready to move to secondary school they had progressed from having stories read at bedtime and were happier reading to themselves. Oh how I still miss those bedtime stories.

In recent years we have cleared shelves and found books that my children read that I missed. Two years ago I read Polyanna for the first time, what a lovely, positive story. Last year my daughter recommended I Capture The Castle by Dodie Smith, a book that she had read in Y4.  I decided to give it a go. I absolutely loved it and remembered how it felt to be a teenager. It was at this point that I decided to ask people for recommendations of children's books. I was given so many and am gradually working my way through them. I was introduced to Erich Kastner by a friend in Germany and read The Flying Classroom, a delightful book, filled with the kindness and positivity I love. Next month I hope to read Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster. I have a very long list now and so this year I have decided to include one children's book a month in my reading list - some new, some old favourites.

One of the suggestions in my Hygge list is to 'read a favourite book from childhood' I did that in November and December with The Hundred and One Dalmations and A Christmas Carol. There is something very comforting about reading a story from back in your youth,. It transports you back to the happy, secure place where you first read the story and, despite gloomy news on tv and in newspapers, it gives you a tremendous feeling of well being.

Sadly, as a teacher, I would sometimes hear children being told by parents that they were 'too big' for some stories. This always made me feel sad. I would tell them that you are never too big for any children's story and be it a younger age book or a comic, as long as they were reading and enjoying it, that was all that mattered.

And what of those who say that now we are adults we shouldn't read children's stories? Well, they are either reading the wrong children's stories or have been poisoned by a sceptical age that frowns on anything they consider to be immature. Personally I would recommend that you all try some children's fiction and make your world a little brighter. They are written for you too. As C S Lewis said 'A children's story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children's story in the slightest.' and he wrote some great children's stories. I know because I read them for the first time as an adult.

Now, make your world better and go find a really good children's book or, if you have any you think I should read, please let me know,