This past week I spoke about books that deal with the subject of family. I realize this is a pretty broad topic and can encompass most everything that has ever been written, but I used it as an excuse to talk about my favourite picture book ever: A Family is a Family is a Family, by Sara O’Leary. This is probably the first time I’ve come close to crying on air (hopefully the last, as this is a book column for christ’s sake), but I was able to laugh at myself as I felt my eyes welling up. The host of course pointed out that I was getting choked up, which made it even worse. To hear my embarrassing sound effects, you can listen to the whole segment here.Â
Smokey is ready for the lightning
So why do I feel so strongly about this book? Because it’s so simple yet teaches us one of the most important lessons we can learn as humans. Unfortunately many people have forgotten this lesson lately, but it is still important: accept people’s differences. Why is that so hard these days? One of the recent theories that I’ve started spouting off is that if people stopped and read kid’s books more often, they would be reminded of what’s important in life, and how to be a good person in general. And if more people were reminded of these basic facts of life, the world would be a much better place.
Ok enough preaching. I also reviewed Grace O’Connell’s Be Ready for the Lightning. My written review can be found here. This is another fabulous book, and a literary thriller just perfect for the summer months which is why I chose to highlight it.
So what’s your favourite picture book of all time? Does it have a great lesson to it, or are the illustrations just super cool? Comment below!
That’s so sweet! I think a lot of kids’ books are tearjerkers for exactly the reasons you describe, they remind us of simple lessons we’ve gotten away from. It helps to be reminded of them again sometimes 🙂 Your cat is so adorable, by the way!
Thanks so much! And smokey thanks you too
I think a book column that covers books that evoke such emotion is the best kind of book column. Thanks, Anne! <3
Well thank you for reading/listening 🙂
I don’t remember ever liking a lot of picture books, even when I was the right age to read them. The messages always seemed so simple and happy that I never drank the Kool-aid. As an adult, I see people doing a lot of smart things with picture books today, though! The books people were wild over when I was that reading level were Chicka-Chicka Boom Boom, Where the Wild Things Are, and this one author who won all the awards for excellent illustrations…the name is gone.
Hmm I personally never liked chicka chicka boom boom. I read it to my daughter a few months ago and was irritated by it lol
I hated it, but I still remember that my first grade class voted it to be our favorite book. I should have picketed. I’m 32, by the way, and have trouble letting things go 😂
it’s never too late to state your opinions!
*deep breath* I was mad at my D.A.R.E. officer in 6th grade, and when he ran for County Sheriff years later, and I was 18, I didn’t vote for him!! *whew!*
Yesss doesn’t that feel good?