Our recent discovery of the neighborhood library (just 8 blocks away, with loaning privileges from all the branches of the Chicago Public Library) resulted in several treasures. Tommy and I have gone to toddler story time (Tuesday mornings) and preschool storytime (Wednesday mornings, with a better children’s librarian), and, of course, we’ve checked out the children’s section. Budlong Woods has an impressive collection of Board Books, and Tommy’s new favorite is Whistle for Willie. We think this one is a keeper–one that Tommy loves AND that Mommy and Daddy enjoy every time, too. Great kid’s books like Willie are not just for kids; here’s what C.S. Lewis has to say about it:
I am almost inclined to set it up as a canon that a children’s story which is enjoyed only by children is a bad children’s story. The good ones last. (from “On Three Ways of Writing for Children”)
We agree with Lewis–the best books for Tommy to read are the books that we don’t mind reading again and again. They’re the books that we remember loving from our childhood and that don’t disappoint us when we find them in a used bookstore as adults. I had not encountered Ezra Jack Keats beyond his delightful The Snowy Day. What fun to discover his others! We’re getting Tommy Peter’s Chair whenever he gets a baby sister. Peter’s reactions to his new baby sister are priceless, and we know that Tommy will relate.
Who couldn’t relate to Peter? Derek loves how Keats brings us into Peter’s world. When Peter thinks, Wouldn’t it be funny if I could whistle?, it reminds us how kids’ minds work. We also love how Peter has a pretty fun time of it without any cheap plastic toys–he jumps on his shadow, smacks snow-covered trees, colors with chalk, and puts on his father’s hat to feel more grown-up. Peter’s mom plays right along–when Peter comes in from a hard day’s playing in the snow, she listens and listens while she takes off his wet socks. When Peter (in the hat) pretends to be his father, she answers him seriously. I want to be that kind of cool mom! Basically, I would encourage all of my readers–parents or not–to go check out some Ezra Jack Keats from your local library. His collected works will be on Tommy’s Christmas list this year!
I love those books too!! I feel like I have been a slacker on commenting on your blog- sorry!!