Why You Should Read Children’s Books, Even Though You Are So Old and Wise by Katherine Rundell

I love Katherine Rundell so it is no surprise that this will be a favourable review. However, I was a little surprised by the brevity of this book although I heartily endorse the message contained within.

There is a snobbery, I think, about books and what you should or shouldn’t be reading. I personally shun this thinking and pick up any book I like – if it piques my interest, then I’m in, regardless of genre or author or reputation or review. I wish that more of us would have such open-mindedness to reading material and I wholeheartedly endorse the reading of children’s books.

Clearly, I am not a person who needs persuading.

Rundell is a writer of children’s fiction so this book could be viewed as disingenuous but I don’t think so. I think that she genuinely wants more adults to read children’s books and her pointed title implies that we don’t do it because we feel that we have grown beyond them in our age and experience; that they contain nothing of value for us; that they will be frivolous flights of fancy, simple and vapid. That may be true of some but not all but how will we ever know if we don’t read them?

Rundell gives some examples of children’s books which have been appreciated by adults, firstly looking at the popularity of the Harry Potter series. Rundell indicates that there is a wide appeal for the boy magician and his school day escapades but also the need for an “adult” cover to avoid embarrassing explanations on the Tube. I find this incredulous and yet, know it to be right as I have seen the more subdued covers. Also, Rundell talks of Philip Pullman and His Dark Materials and their appeal (although Pullman claims he writes books, not children’s books, simultaneously reinforcing and undermining Rundell’s position).

So why read children’s books? For hope, for stimulation, for exposure, for magic, for insight, for entertainment, for exploration, for optimism, for joy – who cares? Rundell’s argument is it shouldn’t matter. You should still be prepared to explore, be amazed, have your eyes opened, feel joy; to return to the feeling as a child yourself, encountering new worlds and what they offer to you and revel in that as an adult.

I think it’s a great argument and I will never stop being attracted to fiction of any kind.