Wild Things: The Joy of Reading Children's Literature as an Adult

Wild Things examines children's literature through an adult perspective, as journalist Bruce Handy revisits classic works and analyzes their enduring impact. The book moves chronologically through different stages of childhood reading, from picture books to young adult novels. Handy explores works by Maurice Sendak, Dr. Seuss, Beverly Cleary, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and other influential authors. He incorporates historical context, biographical details about the authors, and his experiences reading these books both as a child and as a parent. The analysis reveals how children's literature addresses universal human experiences and complex emotions without condescension. Through close reading and cultural commentary, the book demonstrates why these seemingly simple stories continue to resonate with readers of all ages.

Readers appreciate Handy's warm, personal approach to analyzing children's books and his blend of literary criticism with memoir. Many note his engaging writing style and humor when discussing authors like Maurice Sendak, Beverly Cleary, and Dr. Seuss. Readers liked: - Balance of analysis and nostalgia - Behind-the-scenes stories about authors - Fresh perspectives on familiar books Common criticisms: - Too much personal anecdote, not enough literary analysis - Focus on well-known titles rather than discoveries - Occasional meandering narrative structure Some readers wanted more depth and breadth in the book selection, with one Amazon reviewer noting "it stays very safely within the mainstream canon." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (160+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (90+ ratings) A New York Times reader comment praised: "Handy captures both the child's and adult's perspective in examining these classics."

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The Life and Times of the Real Winnie-the-Pooh by Shirley Harrison The history of the actual toy bear that inspired A.A. Milne's stories, traced through its journey from a London department store to the New York Public Library.

Golden Legacy: How Golden Books Won Children's Hearts by Leonard Marcus The story of how Little Golden Books transformed children's literature by making books accessible to millions of young readers in post-war America.

Dear Genius: The Letters of Ursula Nordstrom by Leonard S. Marcus The correspondence between influential children's book editor Ursula Nordstrom and authors like Maurice Sendak and E.B. White reveals the evolution of modern children's literature.

🌟 Bruce Handy developed his passion for children's literature while reading to his own children, discovering that many classic children's books are even more meaningful when viewed through adult eyes 📚 The book explores how Margaret Wise Brown, author of Goodnight Moon, was mentored by Gertrude Stein and was part of the avant-garde literary scene in New York 🎨 The title "Wild Things" pays homage to Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are, which Handy considers a masterpiece of psychological complexity disguised as a simple picture book 📖 While researching the book, Handy discovered that Beverly Cleary worked as a children's librarian before becoming an author, and this experience deeply influenced her realistic portrayal of children's lives 🌍 The author challenges the common notion that children's books have become more sophisticated over time, arguing that works like Alice in Wonderland were just as complex and multilayered in the 19th century as modern children's literature