The Joy of Reading Children's Books

So begins a new chapter on Reader Tales ... Children’s Books in Review. 

I read a lot of children’s books, thanks to having four kids and thanks to just loving kid’s books.  

Especially middle grade novels.

Over the years, I have come to notice that kid’s books have a vibrancy that adult books often miss.

Kids, especially those of today's generation, need colour and action and speed to capture (not to mention keep) their attention. And if they're going to read a book, well, it better have what they're looking for.

Otherwise, they will quickly move onto something else. 

Adult books, on the other hand, don't often include some of these enticing details. After all, most adult readers can find the story behind the words. They don't need printed detail, they can fill it in on their own. Further, adults know that just beyond the first boring chapter a really great story could emerge, and they are willing to stick around to find out.

Adult readers are way more forgiving than kids.

I realize, of course, everything I've said are generalizations of grand proportions.

My words have not been completely fair or true.

Many, many adult books have captured and kept my attention over the years. There are amazing books that give glorious detail and fast-paced drama. They draw the reader in from the first.

However, because kids want and need more excitement, that's what good kid's books have. Excitement.


Detail. Dialogue. Tension. 

Colour. Action. Speed.

Kids don’t tolerate even one boring chapter, let alone two or three.

That’s why I love reading kid’s books.

That’s why I love writing kid's books.