cdobyrne's review
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
A wonderful and thoughtful reflection on themes and tropes in children's picture books. Pollard makes references to hundreds of titles throughout this book - I found myself writing down the names of all the interesting works she mentions to look for later. Pollard combines her insightful commentary on picture book tropes with anecdotes from her own childhood and motherhood in a way that elevates this book beyond merely informative or academic. It is personal, emotional and brilliantly astute at the same time. I can't wait to read more of Pollard's work.
kiwialexa's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
4.75
rhymeswithjulia's review
5.0
As a kindergarten teacher, this book is an ode to all the book I loved as a child and now as a teacher, with some new titles as well! I loved hearing the stories behind some best loved books, such as Where the Wild Things Are and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Pollard weaves in her own experiences of reading with her children as well memories of being read to as a child. Overall an excellent read for anyone who loves children's literature.
Quotes:
When we are small, the stories adults tell us shape our world, our selves, our memories. The stories they choose to tell about our childhood, in a way, become our childhood.
I wanted to be free but I kept biting my tongue. It occurred to me that this is what adulthood is.
Yet we often fail to teach our children that 'good' is not something we are but something we do.
When you love a small child, for a little while at least, their joy can be entirely within your gift... happy endings cost a few pence, are two-a-penny
Quotes:
When we are small, the stories adults tell us shape our world, our selves, our memories. The stories they choose to tell about our childhood, in a way, become our childhood.
I wanted to be free but I kept biting my tongue. It occurred to me that this is what adulthood is.
Yet we often fail to teach our children that 'good' is not something we are but something we do.
When you love a small child, for a little while at least, their joy can be entirely within your gift... happy endings cost a few pence, are two-a-penny
denasquirrel's review
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
I picked this up as an early childhood educator who spends lots of time reading children’s books. Interesting to know the stories behind some familiar children’s stories. Some were surprising and darker than I thought. Would recommend to other ECEs and anyone who is curious about the major themes and stories behind some children’s books.