Wild Things: The Joy Of Reading Children’s Literature As An Adult
by Bruce Handy
Buy on AmazonAn irresistible, nostalgic, insightful—and totally original—ramble through classic children’s literature from Vanity Fair contributing editor (and father) Bruce Handy. “Consistently intelligent and funny…The book succeeds wonderfully.” —The New York Times Book Review “A delightful excursion…Engaging and full of genuine feeling.” —The Wall Street Journal “Pure pleasure.” —Vanity Fair “Witty and engaging…Deeply satisfying.” —Christian Science Monitor In 1690, the dour New England Primer, thought to be the first American children’s book, was published in Boston. Offering children gems of advice such as “Strive to learn” and “Be not a dunce,” it was no fun at all. So how did we get from there to “Let the wild rumpus start”?…
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"In Wild Things, Bruce Handy explores “the joy of reading children’s literature as an adult,” beginning at Margaret Wise Brown’s Goodnight Moon, moving on through Dr. Seuss, Maurice Sendak, Beatrix Potter, Beverly Cleary’s Ramona books (“like Henry James with much shorter sentences”), C.S. Lewis and others, ending with E.B. White. Handy’s generous, warm voice is just the kind you would want reading you bedtime stories."
NPR Books We Love — 2017 · apps.npr.org