This was wonderfully researched, Taylor -- and such a great element to dig into further to begin with. I think the sound of a picture book is one of the most important contributing elements (maybe the *most* important) when it comes to the joy of reading one aloud -- there are some that just absolutely sing, or yes, whistle, and they're all the more magical because of it.
She was, though her books were, for me, an acquired taste. The more I know of her biography -- especially her process and work/relationships in the industry -- the more I appreciate her. It's really a shame she died so young -- I always wonder what more she might have done. (Which isn't to say she didn't do a lot -- she did -- more that I think her creative life would have just grown and grown and grown if she had lived to an old age, and it would have been amazing to see what came of that.)
I can totally see what you're saying. I loved Goodnight Moon as a kid, but then, when I revisited it as a young adult, I did NOT get it. But the more I sat with it, the more I read it to my kids, the more I learned about her, picture books—everything—the more I liked it. And now it's one of my favorite books ever made! So I get that she can be an acquired taste. I think that's a common feeling with experimental art generally. I wish we could have seen what she would have done had she lived longer. It would have been incredible!
I also loved Goodnight Moon as a kid and that never waned, even as I read it to my own kids. But I haven't always loved many of her other books, or, it has taken me awhile. The Little Fur Family, The Color Kittens -- immediate love. The Little Island -- longer to love. It's not like I don't recognize her genius -- she was incredible -- I think it's that my expectations of her were so high, because of my deep adoration of Goodnight Moon from long ago, that I wanted her to wow me with every title or something. Which isn't fair -- she was human! and I certainly don't hold everyone to those standards. Anyway, she was amazing and it's remarkable that her work is still so timely and relevant, all these decades later.
I love it! No, totally, she had so many books!! They can't all be winners. But even her losers are trying for something interesting —just don't always hit the mark. Thank you for sharing this with me!
My parents inserted beautiful tunes when reading “Where the Wild Things Are” and I sing the same tunes to my kids ❤️
This was wonderfully researched, Taylor -- and such a great element to dig into further to begin with. I think the sound of a picture book is one of the most important contributing elements (maybe the *most* important) when it comes to the joy of reading one aloud -- there are some that just absolutely sing, or yes, whistle, and they're all the more magical because of it.
Thanks, as always, for a great read!
Thanks for reading, Sarah! That MWB, she was one smart and talented lady. I hope you enjoy the rabbit holes this article may taken you down!
She was, though her books were, for me, an acquired taste. The more I know of her biography -- especially her process and work/relationships in the industry -- the more I appreciate her. It's really a shame she died so young -- I always wonder what more she might have done. (Which isn't to say she didn't do a lot -- she did -- more that I think her creative life would have just grown and grown and grown if she had lived to an old age, and it would have been amazing to see what came of that.)
I can totally see what you're saying. I loved Goodnight Moon as a kid, but then, when I revisited it as a young adult, I did NOT get it. But the more I sat with it, the more I read it to my kids, the more I learned about her, picture books—everything—the more I liked it. And now it's one of my favorite books ever made! So I get that she can be an acquired taste. I think that's a common feeling with experimental art generally. I wish we could have seen what she would have done had she lived longer. It would have been incredible!
I also loved Goodnight Moon as a kid and that never waned, even as I read it to my own kids. But I haven't always loved many of her other books, or, it has taken me awhile. The Little Fur Family, The Color Kittens -- immediate love. The Little Island -- longer to love. It's not like I don't recognize her genius -- she was incredible -- I think it's that my expectations of her were so high, because of my deep adoration of Goodnight Moon from long ago, that I wanted her to wow me with every title or something. Which isn't fair -- she was human! and I certainly don't hold everyone to those standards. Anyway, she was amazing and it's remarkable that her work is still so timely and relevant, all these decades later.
I love it! No, totally, she had so many books!! They can't all be winners. But even her losers are trying for something interesting —just don't always hit the mark. Thank you for sharing this with me!