The title was so long, I couldn’t even put it in the title line of the post. Katherine Rundell’s nonfiction title is Why You Should Read Children’s Books, Even Though You Are So Old and Wise. This edition from 2026 is an update of the 2019 edition, and it is updated because one section deals with library issues from 2025.
It seemed appropriate to talk about this book since we’ve been discussing children’s books off and on this year. Rundell covers the reasons to read children’s books, and the history of the publication and subjects of children’s literature. Rundell writes children’s fiction, and starts the book by talking about the importance of a public library in her own childhood. She says she writes her own books with two readers in mind, herself as an adult, and twelve-year-old Katherine. I remember myself as a young reader, and I can understand what she says. “My twelve-year-old self wanted autonomy, peril, justice, food, and above all a kind of density of atmosphere into which I could step and be engulfed.” Oh, I remember the absorption in Baum’s Oz. And, even as an adult, I sank into J.K. Rowling’s Hogwarts. The early books in the Harry Potter series allowed me that escape into a world as I hadn’t experienced in years. She talks about the “headlong, hungry, immersive world” of reading as a child. Yes! I wish that happened in the adult reader’s world.
Rundell says there are times in life when only children’s books will do. I can attest to that. I know I’ve told the story that while I was waiting to hear about a library job that I wanted that I could only read Nancy Drew books. There was no adult world that provided the escape I needed.
The development and history of children’s literature is covered, beginning with morally uplifting books, but those evolved right along with fairytales, stories that were designed for adults and children. And, children never needed to be shielded from the violence in those stories. I went through a stage when I read multiple books in Andrew Lang’s series of folk and fairy tales. Then, there was what she calls the “First Golden Age”, Lewis Carroll, J.M. Barrie, E Nesbitt, books that featured orphaned or unsupervised children. She does discuss American authors, as well as the political aspects of children’s books and imagination.
As I said, the book was updated to discuss statistics about library use, and the Trump administration’s closure of the Institute of Museum and Library Services in 2025. Rundell argues that libraries are under threat, and must be defended.
Why You Should Read Children’s Books, Even Though You Are So Old and Wise, is a short book, only 80 pages. Rundell brings a reader’s view, and an author’s eye to a interesting subject. However, while making it a brief book, it is a little dry at times. That’s a shame because it’s an interesting topic.
Why You Should Read Children’s Books, Even Though You Are So Old and Wise by Katherine Rundell. Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2019/2026. 80p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I picked up a copy of the book at my local independent bookstore.
“I wish that happened in the adult reader’s world. ”
Amen. There have been times where books drew me in like that, but not so much these days. In 1976, I read the 12 books in Anthony Powell’s Dance To The Music of Time series back to back to back. I remember racing (yes, really) through Leon Edel’s 5 volume biography of Henry James. On single books, the one that stands out is James Clavell’s SHOGUN.
IN YA, the one that did it for me was the Aussie series by John Marsden which started with TOMORROW, WHEN THE WAR BEGAN. An unnamed country (presumably China) invades Australia in a couple attempt, starting in a rural area, and the protagonists are teens leading a guerrilla resistance. There are 7 books in the series (written 1993-99) and 3 more in a related sequel series.
There aren’t too many books that do that for me anymore, Jeff. There were some early books in Louise Penny’s series, ones I read straight through in one day. And, I think I was caught up in Nora Roberts’ The Choice. But, that was four years ago, so it’s been a while.
A book that pops to mind by this discussion is Amor Towles A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW. I had to mentally shake myself when “I” left the Hotel Metropol and reentered the world at large. Towles has an amazing talent for writing atmosphere and an encompassing sense of setting.
A Gentleman in Moscow is one of my favourite books of all time Kaye! A friend lent it to me and after I finished it I immediately went out and bought myself a copy so I could have it near me always.
Lindy, Yes! it is THAT book!
I know how much you love A Gentleman in Moscow, Kaye. It isn’t often we find a book that takes us away, as adults. It’s magic.
Continuing the post since I hit “submit” too soon. I do still pick up children’s books for the reasons mentioned. And one of those books is THE SECRET GARDEN
I do, too, Kaye. They still allow me to escape into another world.
I do still go back and read some childhood favorites like Smoky by Will James or Freckles by Gene Stratton-Porter but I find it hard to get totally immersed in a book these days
It’s not as easy to get immersed in a book as it was when we only had school, Sandy. Now, it’s doctors and taxes and bills, and all kinds of things.
Hey, Lesa. It’s been a while, but I just wanted to chime in and say how much I still love children’s and young adult books, including picture books. When I recover my reading habit more fully, which I’m determined to do, I will have a list of children’s books to enjoy. In fact, being the list maker that I am, I will start on a list today. I’m also going to order this long-titled book by Katherine Rundell.
Oh, I know these two books aren’t strictly youth books, but most of us read them when we were young. I’ve ordered a couple of copies of Little Women because my granddaughter is going to be Meg in their high school production of Little Women, and I want her to have a beautiful copy of it. Her cousin, who lives with my daughter’s family too will also receive a copy even though she got a very minor role. They’ve both been in major roles in the plays over the years. As I was looking at The Little Women books, for some reason Call of the Wild popped up, and I’ve decided they both should have a lovely copy of it, too. Call of the Wild is a favorite of mine. In mystery books, I still love The Westing Game by Ellen Raskins, which is a children’s/young adult book. I should probably reread it soon. Two other favorites are Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin and Whirligig by Paul Fleischman. And one of my favorite picture books is the poetry book The Gargoyles are Singing Tonight by Jack Prelutsky and illustrated by Peter Sis. The language in it is quite sophisticated and maybe not for really young readers, but who’s to say when they should start hearing mature vocabulary.
Thanks for introducing me to this book about reading children’s books, Lesa.
Lesa, I just went to order Katherine Rundell’s book and discovered I’d bought it in 2019. Haha. I used to be better at remembering what books I already had, but now you have reawakened me to it, and that’s great.
Kathy, If reading children and young adult books brings you back to reading, I’m all for it. Actually, I’ve always been for it, but It’s so nice to know you’re thinking about books, and what ones the young people in your life will enjoy. Copies of Little Women, after the girls have been in the play, will mean so much to them.
I’m happy to see your list of books you love.
Books just get under your skin, don’t they? They won’t let go of a book lover, even if it takes years to get back to them.
Sending you hugs and love.
Lesa,
Thank you for your review of this book! I checked it out as soon as I read your review and LOVE IT! One of the joys of raising my children was introducing them to the books that had brought me so much joy as a child – (most, books my mother had introduced to me!) And now that I have 4 grands, I am enjoying watching them discover Katherine Applegate, Roald Dahl and so many others and getting to read them again through their eyes.