International Children’s Book Day

Today, April 2nd, according to The Canadian Children’s Book Center, is International Children’s Book Day. They wrote “Today and every day, we are honored to support the reading, writing, illustrating, and publishing of Canadian books for young readers.” Good on you CCBC. Agreed.

Grateful for the reminder

I am in 100% agreement with them. I’m grateful that they made the post on social media, reminding me (and everyone else) of the importance of literacy for youth. I am also proud to be connected to CCBC as a former nominee for our third book Counios and Gane’s Wolfe in Shepherd’s Clothing in a young adult mystery category.

A book from my childhood

All this made me think about books from my childhood. A book that made a lasting impression was Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans. This is a Caldecott Honor Book about Madeline, a tough little girl with appendicitis. The story has an endearing heroine, cheerful humor, and whimsical art by the author. It was first published in 1939 and has stood the test of time. I had a copy as a child. Somewhere in growing up and moving away, I lost that copy. I came across one in a free little library near my house. Remembering it from my childhood I took it—which is odd because my memories of this book as a little kid were visceral.

What did I remember?

I remember that I was scared for Madeline. I didn’t want her to suffer and hoped that she would be okay. I didn’t like the bad guy at the beginning of the book and I couldn’t understand why the girls liked the good person. What made them good? I didn’t like that the main action happened at night. Nighttime was a scary time. I didn’t like the tiger. I didn’t like the illustrations. They were loose and chaotic. I had an aversion to yellow. Weird. I know. I didn’t like that Madeline was ill. I didn’t like the nun with her weird ‘winged hat.’ She actually unsettled me. Also weird.

So much about that book triggered five-year-old me. I wondered if my imagination was so strong or if my ability to empathize was what created those fearful feelings? I don’t know for sure but I will always remember the reaction I had to the story of Madeline.

That’s the point

If you ask any adult they can tell you about familiar books from their childhood. They can tell you how they felt and what they were about, and how they impacted them. Children’s books pave the road for the future reader.

I guess Madeline was my first suspense book.

As always, thank you for reading lovelies.