Anyone but me think that really good children's books and authors are underrated?

Question

Many people seem to think there is "literature" and then there's "children's literature", and never the twain shall meet. I love to read. The foundation for that was laid when I was little, by reading lots and lots of stories. GOOD stories--because they had quality characters and plots--the same things I appreciate as an adult reader.
I've just been listening to a man on the radio talking about the desperate need to protect our children from scary stuff in books. While I think parents are absolutely vital in the process, by reading WITH their kids (I have a very bright and inquisitive 7-year-old), I also think that the idea that kids must always be shielded from anything disturbing is codswallop. Kids are fully-formed, real, entire human beings by the time they begin reading, and they feel all those forbidden emotions whether we give them permission to or not. Sorry for the rant--I'm interested in hearing other parents' and readers' perspectives, whether you agree with me or not.

My point is that some of the best stories I read as a child WERE disturbing (Grimm: infanticide? revenge? murderous jealousy?) and that those stories helped open me up to examining questions I already had as a little kid but couldn't articulate, and helping me work through them. I can see that that wasn't clear in my question.

Answer 1

Be careful what you wish for.

I think there are plenty of entertaining, enlightening, uplifting, and exciting themes and stories available without intruding violence and murder into our children’s reading.

It is all in the presentation I guess - I just like the idea of the innocent having some idea of what innocence is before they are exposed to the "real" world.

I think the real challenge to all should be to write GREAT adult literature with a bit less "shock and aw”.

Answer 2

One of my all time favorite books, which I still pick up and read from time to time is "A Wrinkle In Time" by Madeline L'Engle. I also love the Harry Potter series, and I find Neil Gaiman's books for children to be highly entertaining. I think there's a lot of great books out there directed at children that can also be appreciated by adults, and there should be no shame in that! Come to think of it, I've been feeling an itch to re-read some of the Judy Blume books that I read growing up, just to see how my perceptions of the stories will change from my adult perspective.
I agree with you that kids being shielded from things is a bad idea. I was reading Stephen King by the time I was in 6th grade, and I turned out just fine!

Answer 3

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Answer 4

I agree that good kids books are still good books, without having to be considered lower or lesser. My favorite book of all time is a "children's" book:

"The Little Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Answer 5

i couldn't agree more. i read books with my son everyday day, most days four or five books. he's four so i end up reading a lot of movie tie in books but look forward to being able to read different books to him soon. i'm bored to tears but at least he's interested in reading. i agree though that we don't need to shelter our kids so much, and i always talk to him like he is an actual human.