Anonymous
05/29/2024 22:32
Subject: To 100 children’s books
My favorite children's book of all time is Paper Dolls by Julia Donaldson.
I did see the Gruffalo made the list, so I'm at least happy she's represented.
I did see the Gruffalo made the list, so I'm at least happy she's represented.
Anonymous
05/29/2024 21:50
Subject: To 100 children’s books
Anonymous wrote:Oh, I do like where the while things are. I feel like it captures what it's like to be a child. To misbehave and go to a place where you're out of control. And then returning to that place where you're still loved & cared for.
I hated it when I was a kid. Max was a jerk and didn't do much interesting during his wild rumpus except dress like a strange furry and prance around. I was a very in control kid by choice.
The other one I really hated was The Giving Tree. Some people say it's an allegory for Jesus or motherhood. I hate any story where someone gives up the most essential parts of themself for someone else. Not because I value selfishness, because I value equity and reciprocal, intelligent love not destructive, unlimited exploitation of a loved one (the tree). Original Little Mermaid where the mermaid dies is also horrible like this. Bad choice to give up your voice to try and get a man! (Points for a good moral I didn't really understand as a child.)
Also don't like Gift of the Magi story by O. Henry. The wife will get to use her hair comb gift someday but the husband's watch fob gift is rendered pointless because he has no heirloom watch anymore...not a happy ending. If they had talked to each other they could have come up with less grandiose gestures but equally satisfactory gifts.
Anonymous
05/29/2024 21:31
Subject: To 100 children’s books
They polled experts from 56 countries. Most of the books are actual stories which can, and have been, translated into many languages. Green Eggs and Ham probably only works in English given the wordplay so it shouldn’t be surprising if it’s not popular in other countries.
Anonymous
05/29/2024 21:16
Subject: To 100 children’s books
I know GEH is considered a masterpiece but I am the reverse of you—I can’t stand Dr. Seuss. It’s annoying, inane, repetitive and not a fan of that drawing style.
I like how Where the Wild Things Are does a great job of illustrating how punishment can be perceived from a child’s POV. Also not a fan of the drawing style but it doesn’t bother me.
I like how Where the Wild Things Are does a great job of illustrating how punishment can be perceived from a child’s POV. Also not a fan of the drawing style but it doesn’t bother me.
Anonymous
05/29/2024 21:07
Subject: To 100 children’s books
Anonymous wrote:This meeting I was reflecting on my favorite books from my teaching days. Green Eggs and Ham topped my list. Curious if others agreed, I did ac quick Google search. After clicking on the BBC top hundred, I was shocked.
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20230522-the-100-greatest-childrens-books-of-all-time
I hate Where the Wild Things Are. It’s like nails on a chalkboard. If you were an adult when it came out, enlighten me. What do other people think is so great? I hate that style of illustration, I hate the premise, and frankly, I’m annoyed.
My fave didn’t even make the list. I’d argue that it’s a masterpiece. Written with very controlled language (50 words, 49 of them monosyllabic), it’s an easy, enjoyable read with a great moral. The illusions are bright and engaging. I especially love the spread near the end without any text. It’s often the first good book that children can read to themselves. I had a peanut carry it with him around the classroom for two months, because he was so proud that he was finally reading. Yes, Cat in the Hat made the list, and it was Dr. Seuss’s first, but I think the restricted vocabulary is what makes GE&H such a masterpiece. It took Dr. Seuss over a year to write.
So educate me, DCUM? Why are my opinions so out of step with the masses?
I hated Green Eggs and Ham. Literally the most annoying book to read aloud. And it’s way too long.
Anonymous
05/29/2024 21:06
Subject: To 100 children’s books
Anonymous wrote:I just looked up Northern Lights on Amazon because I'd never heard of it, and there were too many options. Who is the author PP?
It is The Golden Compass by Pullman. It’s titled Northern Lights in the UK.
Anonymous
05/29/2024 21:05
Subject: To 100 children’s books
The Wind in the Willows is way too low but that's a good list.
Anonymous
05/29/2024 21:01
Subject: To 100 children’s books
Oh, I do like where the while things are. I feel like it captures what it's like to be a child. To misbehave and go to a place where you're out of control. And then returning to that place where you're still loved & cared for.
Anonymous
05/29/2024 20:59
Subject: To 100 children’s books
I just looked up Northern Lights on Amazon because I'd never heard of it, and there were too many options. Who is the author PP?
Anonymous
05/29/2024 09:54
Subject: To 100 children’s books
The weird thing about that list is the wide age range. Books like “Where the Wild Things Are” and “Very Hungry Caterpillar” are for young children, whereas “Northern Lights” and “The Hobbit” (two of my personal favorites) and so on are middle grade. I wouldn’t put them on a list together!
I agree that Dr Seuss is great for early readers. The rhyming, the experimentation with sounds, the silliness but also the seriousness. My kids loved The Lorax and Oh the Places You’ll Go.
I agree that Dr Seuss is great for early readers. The rhyming, the experimentation with sounds, the silliness but also the seriousness. My kids loved The Lorax and Oh the Places You’ll Go.
Anonymous
05/29/2024 07:48
Subject: To 100 children’s books
This meeting I was reflecting on my favorite books from my teaching days. Green Eggs and Ham topped my list. Curious if others agreed, I did ac quick Google search. After clicking on the BBC top hundred, I was shocked.
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20230522-the-100-greatest-childrens-books-of-all-time
I hate Where the Wild Things Are. It’s like nails on a chalkboard. If you were an adult when it came out, enlighten me. What do other people think is so great? I hate that style of illustration, I hate the premise, and frankly, I’m annoyed.
My fave didn’t even make the list. I’d argue that it’s a masterpiece. Written with very controlled language (50 words, 49 of them monosyllabic), it’s an easy, enjoyable read with a great moral. The illusions are bright and engaging. I especially love the spread near the end without any text. It’s often the first good book that children can read to themselves. I had a peanut carry it with him around the classroom for two months, because he was so proud that he was finally reading. Yes, Cat in the Hat made the list, and it was Dr. Seuss’s first, but I think the restricted vocabulary is what makes GE&H such a masterpiece. It took Dr. Seuss over a year to write.
So educate me, DCUM? Why are my opinions so out of step with the masses?
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20230522-the-100-greatest-childrens-books-of-all-time
I hate Where the Wild Things Are. It’s like nails on a chalkboard. If you were an adult when it came out, enlighten me. What do other people think is so great? I hate that style of illustration, I hate the premise, and frankly, I’m annoyed.
My fave didn’t even make the list. I’d argue that it’s a masterpiece. Written with very controlled language (50 words, 49 of them monosyllabic), it’s an easy, enjoyable read with a great moral. The illusions are bright and engaging. I especially love the spread near the end without any text. It’s often the first good book that children can read to themselves. I had a peanut carry it with him around the classroom for two months, because he was so proud that he was finally reading. Yes, Cat in the Hat made the list, and it was Dr. Seuss’s first, but I think the restricted vocabulary is what makes GE&H such a masterpiece. It took Dr. Seuss over a year to write.
So educate me, DCUM? Why are my opinions so out of step with the masses?