Friday, January 16, 2009

AL ROKER's Book Club Pick

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4 comments:

Cheryl Vanatti said...

"The bad news is it's a book for kids..."
That really turned me off the author!

3:39 PM
Chad W. Beckerman said...

I respectfully disagree.
Jeff had been with the idea of the book for so long that when he let it out into the world for the first time and his editor says something different than he had previously thought of course he or you would step back an take pause. But here is the thing I truly believe if Jeff had or did write this for kids that the text wouldn't sound as true. I find that authors who write for kids sometimes forget who kids really are or what kids sound like. Jeff didn't do that and I believe it helped him keep his voice fresh since he wasn't forcing himself to think like anyone but himself.

3:58 PM
Cheryl Vanatti said...

Good point. I simply dislike the notion that writing for children is in some way less meaningful or prestigious. I feel that writers of children's literature are an immeasurable influence.

And I do agree wholeheartedly.... I dislike books written TO children. They are the worst.

4:37 PM
Chad W. Beckerman said...

I agree. I think there is this thought out there that writing for kids is easy or not as important as adult literature I obviously disagree. ( I think this also transfers over to design as well) But I also think that this idea that its "easier" since its for kids delivers a lot of people thinking well I can do that. I find this mainly with picture books. Since it seems simple than writing one must be as well. Or I have kids so I KNOW what they like. These are not good paths to go down. I would be willing to bet that writing a good picture book is harder than writing a novel.

4:47 PM

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