Of Great Books for Children and Their Perpetual Lessons

Chona
Aug 13
3 min read

Great books for children don’t merely entertain kids and keep them occupied so their parents can do chores. Because whether young ones only doodle or leaf through the pages of the stories they’re exposed to, they’re learning something far more invaluable than ABCs and one-two-threes. In this blog, we extracted a tidbit of discussion from Creatinuum Episode 15, “Baby's First Books: The Growth of Children's Fiction,” and talk about what the stories for kids hold for the next generation (and even the present).

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio

Mirrors of Realities

Children’s books are excellent tools to train the kids’ minds and expand their hearts to receive lessons before they can even begin to have experiential learning of the world. They help shape future adults who can be capable of holding on to innocent wonder, all while navigating the complexities of life.

They’re the first mirrors of the real world where they see the present and historical realities. Great children's books don’t merely teach the basics of existence; they also impart (with the intention to let them stay) the values that all humans of the next generation should not lose: you can be a man and yet soft and emotional. You can be a doting father who isn’t afraid to show affection to your children. You can be struggling with a physical or mental condition and yet still celebrate your gift and know that you are worthy to be honored as equals. You can show your true self, be afraid, live in a war-torn world, and yet choose to do good and continue to be good amidst the evil of the world.

The Power of Being a Kid

Kids are not as powerless and helpless as some would view them to be. And it’s not despite their tender age and a seeming lack of life experiences, but actually because of them. There is magic in their innocence that some hardened adults lose because of life’s conundrums. There is something about books that affirms the kids’ quiet strengths—it unearths childlike wonder from the hearts even of mature humans. That’s why a lot of adults also like to read children’s and young adult fiction stories. They not only bring nostalgia; they also re-educate them.

The Consequences of Life’s Choices

And not only that, good children’s books also discipline the young ones. Good picture books are not just about the colors and visually appealing pages. Behind the adorably illustrated characters are the lessons of consequences from ill choices and behaviors. They convey that even kids should know how to ask for forgiveness; that they, too, should be accountable for their misgivings. Because children who know these things will grow up being more aware and responsible in the future.

Kids Can be Imperfect and Fine

On the flipside, narratives showing that kids can also be humans hold some power. They tell us that kids don’t have to be perfect. Because at times, some kids tend to be overwhelmed by expectations of the people around them, making them feel forced to do and behave a certain way. Great books for children equalize the narrative and allow kids to reclaim their humanity without losing their genuine appreciation for the world around them. They tell kids to enjoy where they’re at and not crave being an adult too fast.

In a Nutshell

Babies’ first books, and the great ones at that, excellently articulate the lessons of earthly life using the simple language of children. They have a way of bypassing the mind’s carnal defiance, imparting philosophical gems that stay for life. They impart eternal wisdom, not just to love but how to be loved in return, how to be a hero even in small acts of kindness, how to live as good and authentic human beings, what it means to believe in dreams, and what to do when life throws a fit and how to go back on track when they lose their paths. Their pages carve some golden truths that even the experienced and the aged ones should also revisit from time to time.