Great wisdom can be found in children’s books
Children’s books often contain great wisdom about life: how to navigate through good times and bad and how to keep your compass pointing in the right direction.
In the best books, these lessons on life gently steer and guide but are never didactic. Rather, the wisdom is contained in beautiful language that appears in brief snippets, surrounded by a story that sweeps away the reader and listener.
Such is the case with the books reviewed below.
For adults who need more convincing on the wisdom found in children’s books, get a copy of the delightful, often profound little book, “What the Dormouse Said: Lessons for Grown-ups from Children’s Books,” collected by Amy Gash, illustrated by Pierre Le-Tan and foreword by Judith Viorst (Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill 2004). Filled with ” … spirited quotations from more than two hundred well-loved books …,” this little treasure provides the wisdom to look at children’s books in the way in which they are intended.
The following book is available at many public libraries:
When I Was Young in the Mountains by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Diane Goode (Dutton, 26 pages)
Read aloud: age 3 to 4 and older
Read yourself: age 7 to 8 and older
“When I Was Young in the Mountains” is a warm and loving story based on the true experiences of author Cynthia Rylant growing up in Appalachia. Making do with each other and what they could find in the mountains provided the author with all she needed: a sense of belonging, great security and an abundance of love.
The swimming hole, Crawford’s store, fresh cornbread and hot cocoa provide readers with a richness of life uncluttered by material things.
Written for younger children, this story teaches us that home is a good place, not because of what you have, but because of those who live there.
Library: Citizens Library, 55 S. College St., Washington
Library director: Diane Ambrose
Children’s Services manager: Rebecca E. Smiley
Choices this week: “My Friend Rabbit” by Eric Rohmann; “The Children of Christmas” by Cynthia Rylant; “Pictures of Hollis Woods” by Patricia Reilly Giff
The following books are available at bookstores:
The Great Unexpected by Sharon Creech (Joanna Cotler Books/HarperCollins, 2012, 226 pages, $16.99 hardcover)
Read aloud: age 8 and older
Read yourself: age 9 to 10 and older
Through beautifully told intertwining stories, this extraordinary book is about two spirited orphan girls, Naomi and Lizzie, living in the United, and Sybil and Nula, estranged sisters who, long ago, had a misunderstanding that has kept them separated by the Atlantic ocean for far too many years.
Enter, too, the strange boy, Finn, who suddenly appears when he falls out of a tree and lands at Naomi’s and Lizzie’s feet, the Dingle Dangle man who is a mystery to all in their little town and a cast of other colorful, believable characters.
As each of their stories unfold, it becomes evident through the unexpected moments of understanding that there is a delicate connection we all share, and that the magic of family, friendship, love and trust is not always where we think we might find it.
Another outstanding book from master writer Sharon Creech, readers are certain to be irreversibly changed in every good way by “The Great Unexpected.”
Otter and Odder: A Love Story by James Howe and illustrated by Chris Raschka (Candlewick, 2012, 36 pages, $14.00 hardcover)
Read aloud: age 5 and older
Read yourself: age 7
Otter was not looking for love the day he found it; he was looking for dinner. But when he gazed into those beautiful fish eyes, he knew he had found what he hadn’t been looking for. Otter momentarily thought it was impossible; he couldn’t be in love with his food source. But he was wrong; he was, indeed, in love with Myrtle the fish.
As ironic for Myrtle as it was for Otter, she, too, fell in love with Otter. As they passed wonderful days and evenings together, others began to talk, saying it wasn’t natural for an otter to be in love with a fish. Otter and Myrtle discussed this, and sadly agreed with the “talkers.” But through the wise words of Beaver and the courage to follow their own hearts, Otter and Myrtle weren’t apart for long.
Charming, humorous and filled with important messages, “Otter and Odder” is simply wonderful.
Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children’s literature. She can be reached at her website, www.greatestbooksforkids.com.