Every time I meet people, I like to ask them what they have read. Some of them get a bit embarrassed before finally admitting that they like to read chick lit (nothing wrong with that), or even children’s books (excellent!). They somehow think that they will be judged by me, someone who has an English degree and has had an education that was defined by the so-called arbiters of taste.
Actually, I’m so glad that they read chick lit and children’s books, but for today’s discussion, I will write about children’s books especially since I’m a children’s book writer.
And there is no shame reading a book for children. I don’t think I have blogged about this in great detail, yet, but children’s books are also for adults.
After Dragonhearted came out, many of the parents who have bought the book for their children read it and also expressed that they enjoy it. Some parents read it to screen the content of the book, while others also read for enjoyment. The responses I have gotten all around are generally positive and they make my day. I, myself, have gotten into the habit of reading children’s books as well, partly because I’m a children’s book writer now and also because I enjoy reading books in general.
In fact, reading should be this way. You should read whatever you want to read. The labels in the bookstore — children’s, YA, horror, and so on are there because the marketers think it’s easier for people to pick out books this way. A good story is a good story and is meant for all ages, regardless of whether the reader is a child or not.
(Of course, for children, some books are not suitable for their age group, but that is not what I am writing about here.)
What I am writing about here is literary snobbery. For too long, there are certain kinds of books that people read because they’re classics or because everyone is reading them. Some people read to seem intellectual but they don’t enjoy it. That is isn’t right.
Anyone who judges you for reading any kind of book shouldn’t be doing that. Reading is supposed to be a fun and pleasurable activity that shouldn’t be taken away from anyone. You shouldn’t feel bad about what you read and you shouldn’t have to feel like you should be reading the books that other people like because it’s what they think you should be reading.
You should read whatever you want to read. And enjoy it. If it so happens to be a children’s book, then why not?