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A review by hannah_monson
Steeped in Stories: Timeless Children's Novels to Refresh Our Tired Souls by Mitali Perkins
5.0
When I was 17, my mom died. That summer, I reread all of my favorite children’s books— Harry Potter, Charlotte’s Web, A Cricket in Times Square... then I read Little Women, which I’m not sure I ever read as a child (but I do remembering being traumatized by Amy in the ice in the movie), and I fell in love. The story about a mother’s love and sisters hit me at the perfect moment. (Little Women has been my favorite book since, and I now collect different editions of it—I have over 60).
Since then, I have advocated for reading children’s literature in hard times. Recently when a friend was getting divorced, I recommended Anne of Green Gables (she cried).
I’ve never really known why children’s literature is the perfect salve for the soul, but I’ve thrown around theories (especially while getting my masters to become a children’s librarian). But Perkins gets it. She so eloquently says everything that I felt but couldn’t understand or vocalize.
What a beautiful book exploring 7 incredible children’s classics (6 of which I have read). Not only should every children’s librarian read this but every adult to whom I have ever (or will ever) recommend a children’s book— so, basically all of the adults in my life.
Perkins is not shy in calling out racism, injustice, colonialism, and other -isms seen, particularly, in older literature. However, rather than encourage censorship, she encourages deep engagement. Children will encounter warped views in the world, what better way to learn to see, dissect, and confront them than in literature? While none of the books discussed is perfect, they all have virtues to emulate and problems to learn from.
Since then, I have advocated for reading children’s literature in hard times. Recently when a friend was getting divorced, I recommended Anne of Green Gables (she cried).
I’ve never really known why children’s literature is the perfect salve for the soul, but I’ve thrown around theories (especially while getting my masters to become a children’s librarian). But Perkins gets it. She so eloquently says everything that I felt but couldn’t understand or vocalize.
What a beautiful book exploring 7 incredible children’s classics (6 of which I have read). Not only should every children’s librarian read this but every adult to whom I have ever (or will ever) recommend a children’s book— so, basically all of the adults in my life.
Perkins is not shy in calling out racism, injustice, colonialism, and other -isms seen, particularly, in older literature. However, rather than encourage censorship, she encourages deep engagement. Children will encounter warped views in the world, what better way to learn to see, dissect, and confront them than in literature? While none of the books discussed is perfect, they all have virtues to emulate and problems to learn from.