Honey for a Child's Heart

It’s sometimes like wandering into unknown territory if you’ve had favorite books in your own childhood and want to find those same books for your own children. A favorite old book goes out of print, and a generation or so later a publisher decides to re-issue this book—with results that are sometimes wonderful and sometimes so disappointing it makes a person want to cry. I’ve written about this before but the reaction of bookstore owner Terri Schmitz (The Children’s Book Shop, Brookline, Massachusetts) to what Houghton did to Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel (Virginia Lee Burton,1939) is worth noting because she is right on target when she writes the following in Horn Book Magazine, Nov-Dec. 2007:

“Whose idea was it to take one of the most beloved children’s books of all time, butcher the text and leave out a number of pictures? Poor Mike and Mary Anne. They’re no longer given credit for cutting through the mountains to clear the way for railroads, or smoothing the ground for airport runways. The crucial plot elements that they work faster and better when they have an audience is barely mentioned. And that most dastardly of villains, Selectman Henry B. Swap, never smiles in ‘a rather mean way’ as he plots to back out of paying Mike and Mary Anne for their work digging the cellar for the new town hall.…Where is the unbearable tension as the day wears on and the sun moves inexorably across the sky? What about the drama as Mike and Mary Anne cut each corner of the cellar hole? And why is the heroism of the little boy who rallies the townspeople to cheer on the man and his machine not celebrated? There is no reason to sigh in satisfaction when Mike and Mary Anne triumph in the end, because we haven’t been given the chance to worry that they might actually fail.”

Well, that certainly tells you about Schmitz’ disappointment with this reissue in no uncertain terms. She wonders what “evil genius” prompts publishers to produce board book versions out of popular picture books that should not be board books. Why? Because they eviscerate the original text and illustrations to fit the board book layout. In short, they take the heart out of a book. My question is why make a board book out of book aimed at ages 3-5 or 4-8? Board books are best when written as board books for very little children.

Schmitz makes a critical point when she complains that her strongest objection is that people who purchase this new version will never know what they’re missing, and won’t bother to read the original. And that is a crying shame. Other people won’t recognize the difference, see the title and exclaim, “O, this is a wonderful book!” Then they buy it and think they have the book they remember.

Book fans feel strongly about the sanctity of books—the text and often the original art. An internet check often reveals outraged fans venting their disappointment at edited plots and changes in illustrations because they consider the new edition a travesty. No matter how you feel about this issue, think kindly of such fans if you have not read the original. (However, in the case of Mike Mulligan, all the internet reviews I could find are rave comments about the original book, not the board book.)

Personally I feel a great sympathy for parents and readers who object, for I know that same sense of betrayal when I see someone has tampered with my favorite book. You may not be such a ‘purist,’ but do consider how foolish it is to throw away the past without good reason. Dollars are not good reasons.

Fortunately, wise editors who “mine the backlist” are putting some favorites of past years back in print, without any gimmicks. If you have never read the original or are not a purist, it may not matter to you anyway, but hardly anything tears at the “reading-heart” quite like finding a favorite book reprinted with some of the most delicious “memories” taken out.

Thankfully the reissue of Ruth Krauss’ The Backward Day (1950) is as charming as ever. In this story a little boy wakes up one morning and says to himself, ‘Today is backward day.’ He puts his clothes on in backward order and ends with socks on top of his shoes. Then he walks backward down the stairs, says goodnight to his family. The situation is silly, and illustrator Marc Simont makes the most of it with his bold colors, showing other family members going along with the idea. Backward Day is undone by walking backwards up the steps, climbing in bed, and starting the whole day over, announcing “Backward Day is Done!” Be glad that a new generation will enjoy the ridiculous elements of the story, told in the straight forward simplicity that marks all of Ruth Krauss’ wonderful children’s books.

Tico and the Golden Wings (1964) by Leo Lionni has been reissued in a more appealing format than the original. It’s the story of Tico being granted wings of pure gold by the “wishingbird,” only to have his friends turn against him, accusing him of thinking he is better than they are with his golden wings. Tico responds by giving golden feathers away, and each time he does this a black feather takes its place until he has turned all black again. The friends say, “Now you are like us!” but Tico knows this isn’t true. “We are all different. Each for his own memories, and his own invisible golden dreams.” It’s good to see Tico’s wings printed appropriately done in metallic gold in the new edition.

Don Freeman’s Quiet! There’s a Canary in the Library (1969) was republished almost two years ago. It’s the story of a little girl named Cary who loves to go to the library, and suggests what she would do if she were the librarian. “I would have a special day when only animals and birds would be allowed to come in and browse.” The book shows a parade of animals coming in the reading room where the trouble begins. A canary with a piercing voice comes to the rescue, resolving the bedlam in a delightful way. Freeman contrast drawings of the actual library with crayoned drawings from Cary’s imagination.

Sometimes the text gets changed when a book is reissued. Here’s an example.

In the original opening of Marshmallow by Clare Turlay Newberry (1942) the story begins: “Oliver was a cat of middle-age, gray with tabby markings. He was a bachelor without wife or kittens, and lived in an apartment in Manhattan.” The new edition reads “Oliver was a gray cat with tabby markings who lived in an apartment.” The heart of the story remains the same, but as you read it feels like someone has taken the spice out of it. This book still has the capacity to captivate children, even though it won’t help develop their vocabulary. The basic story line remains and the same drawings of cat, whose daily life is thrown into disarray at the arrival of a baby rabbit, are as winsome as ever.

There’s more…much more. Several of Roger Duvoisin’s books about Petunia have been reissued. I was glad to see a new edition of Veronica on Petunia’s Farm (1962). Syd Hoff’s I Can Read Books always give children a sense of pride as emergent readers. His books tell interesting stories with a minimum of words—like The Littlest Leaguer which begins: “Of all the players in the little league, Harold was the littlest” and then goes on to tell how bespectacled Harold saves the big game of the season. In addition, several out-of-print editions of Ingri and Edgar Parin d’Aulaire books are back in print.

It seems to me that for every reissue that is a winner there seems to be a “loser” that is hastily thrown together and seems a mistake. Discretion is advised. Look for original editions at book sales. Above all, publishers, don’t tamper with the text!

I am a northerner. I love Christmas, snow, window candles, bells, Christmas carols, a fire in the fireplace and good conversation with people sitting around our table. Just after Thanksgiving I will put out my collection of children’s Christmas books and scatter them around the house, hoping to entice others to re-read some of these wonderful stories. I’ve been collecting them for years, so I’ll share only a partial list. 

Two new ones purchased this year are small with Christmas red covers. Patricia MacLachlan (Newbery winner for Sarah, Plain and Tall) has a 2009 short story A True Gift, illustrated by Brian Floca that will warm the heart. Lily and Liam, driven by their parents to their grandparent’s farm, are excited about their annual visit to help their grandparents get ready for Christmas. They are armed with bags of books, and expectations of decorating the house, buying presents and visiting the local library. In the barnyard, usually home to several animals, only White Cow greets them. When they hear the story of what has happened to the other animals, Lily notices that Liam becomes silent and begins to worry about whether White Cow is lonely—and worse still, lonely at Christmas time. Liam posts a notice around town:

Wanted: a cow friend for a lonely, sad cow. 

It is Christmas and she needs a friend. 

Think how you’d feel. I’m buying. Call Liam at…. 

You can imagine the delight of what happens!

The second book is a reprint of a 1969 book by English writer Elizabeth Goudge, called I Saw Three Ships. The story has Goudge’s magical touch, which has endeared her to readers in past years. Polly Flowerdew lives with two maiden aunts and is absolutely sure something special is going to happen this Christmas. On Christmas Eve she leaves her bedroom window open just in case the three wise men decide to visit, as the song predicts. When she wakes up on Christmas morning, the words of the song have come to life in most unexpected ways. The story is pure Elizabeth Goudge and really quite magical.

Here are some other titles (not in any particular order):

1.  Christmas in the Country by Cynthia Rylant and Diane Goode. 
2. Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck, il. By Mark Buehner 
3. Christmas Tapestry by Patricia Polacco 
4. An Orange for Frankie by Patricia Polacco 
5. The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston, il.by Barbara Cooney 
6. The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski, il. By P.H. Lynch 
7. When Washington Crossed the Delaware by Lynne Cheney, paintings by Peter M. Fiore 
8. A Child is Born by Margaret Wise Brown, il Floyd Cooper 
9. A Certain Small Shepherd by Rebecca Caudhill 
10. The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado, il Liz Bonham 
11. Elijah’s Angel by Michael J. Rosen, il. by A. Robinson  (Based on a true story of an African-American barber who befriends a small Jewish boy and they share the meaning of Christmas and Chanukah.) 
12. A Christmas Story by Brian Wildsmith 
13. For older readers: Christmas on Jane Street; a true story by Billy Romp with Wanda Urbanska is a fun family read about a Vermont family selling Christmas trees in New York City. 
14. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is a must. 
15. Christmas Stories, a collection by Everyman’s Pocket Classics, contains stories for grownups by authors that include Leo Tolstoy, O. Henry, Vladimir Nabokov, Damon Runyon, John Updike, Grace Paley and many others. 
16. Who is Coming to Our House by Joseph Slate, a picture book for very young children.

 Merry Christmas! May you know its true meaning.

It’s the time of the year to be reminded that books make great and lasting Christmas gifts. Toys break and lose their charm, but good books keep going on and on. I have in my file a letter from my sixteen year old nephew, thanking me for books. He wrote, “I look at my bookcase and notice that my shelves are full of favorite books that you gave me over the years—and each has a memory. Thanks.” He didn’t mention that gimmicky toy I sent him when he was three which has probably been trashed by now, but he did mention A Hole is to Dig, which I gave him for his third birthday.

Pop-Up books are everywhere this year, and most of them are clever enough to catch your eye. I don’t want to be a spoil-sport, but I have my doubts about most of them. In my experience they are novel and attractive for a very short life-span. Once you have seen how it works, you’ve seen it. No imagination needed. I guess I evaluate this mini-trend to make over ordinary picture books into pop-ups as inspired by the cash register. It’s called “mining the backlist.”

Michael Rosen’s We’re Going on a Bear Hunt is one of these. Originally published in 1989 and a favorite with many families, this story is so full of movement that it’s a natural for tabs to pull and pop-ups to enjoy. The new illustrations by Helen Oxenbury are charming. It’s a fun book. But is it as much fun as acting out the story as a family? While this pop-up does justice to the original book, it is more passive than exciting as we watch it unfold. I think it the most attractive of the lot, but still I wonder.

But I can’t say the same for Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who Pop-up! The text has not been revised, fortunately, but several spreads have multiple pop-ups with lots of text squashed together so it can all fit in. It almost seems like over-kill.

It’s not bad, but I found myself asking, “Who needs this?” The original is charming enough.

You will want to look closely at Charlie and Lola’s I Will Never Ever Eat a Tomato Pop-up if you are tempted to buy it. Originally written as I Will Never Ever Eat a Tomato (2000) the text in this new version has been changed and the page layouts reworked, and thus some of the crucial plot elements have been left out. In short, it has been edited to make way for pop-ups. I like the original better and find it more entertaining. The story line should be more important than the pop-ups.

I am not saying “Don’t buy!” I am saying, “Think about it!” What are your values in making your purchase? A good story is a good story and the point of the book. And a good book should inspire and even require some imagination on the part of the child reading it.

Every November Cynthia Rylant’s wonderful book called In November (illustrated by Jill Kastner) sits on our coffee table within easy reach for anyone to pick up. It’s our annual reminder of how special November is. “In November,” the text reads, “the earth is growing quiet. It is making its bed, a winter bed for flowers and small creatures.” The book is full of color and smells and feelings.

A very small child cannot relate to the music of the text, but the pictures are an awareness exercise to encourage looking at the world—its trees, its birds, its creatures, its family. Kastner’s illustrations are delightful at any age (she draws the cutest mice ever!) and as children grow they will love Rylant’s evocative use of language:

In November, the smell of food is different. It is an orange smell.

A squash and a pumpkin smell. It tastes like cinnamon and can fill up a house in the morning and can pull everyone from bed in a fog. Food is better in November than any other times of the year.

Every year since we first read this someone in our family will say, “November has an orange smell” and we all smile because we have this common experience of enjoying a good book together.

It’s a thanksgiving book, too, recounting the blessings for which we give thanks. I don’t know where you are coming from in terms of faith, but I intend to make sure my children grow up knowing that thankfulness to God should be a spontaneous response for all our bounty.

And speaking of Thanksgiving, when you buy Thanksgiving Day books for your children, be certain the story is told historically and not laden with the political correctness of the day. In some books the Pilgrims gather to thank the Indians, (and I hope they did that for any kindnesses shown) but they had endured a hard, hard year and felt grateful to be alive. Choose a book that has some of the speech of the colony’s leader to get the true flavor. Writers sometimes get sentimental and misty eyed or have their own agenda as they rewrite history with their own innovations. The story of how and why these early settlers came to this land can be badly skewed. There are lots of good books to choose from. Get one you would like to read every Thanksgiving for years to come. Two classics that are favorites are The Thanksgiving Story by Alice Dagleish, illustrated by Helen Sewell and My First Thanksgiving by Tomie dePaola.