Children’s books have changed. You can see it in the “computer-generated” covers, crude subject matter, and the fast-paced storytelling that mimics social media.
I don’t think all of it is bad. (I still watch “Spongebob and my husband still skims through “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” during my hours of browsing at Barnes & Noble, haha!). And there are certainly some incredibly talented authors out there.
But I do think that “modern” children’s literature is increasingly missing the mark.
In the age of social media addiction and short-form content, I think that supplying our children with good children’s literature is more important than ever. Even a 90s romcom can tell you how powerful and formative children’s literature is!
“When you read a book as a child, it becomes part of your identity in a way that no other reading in your whole life does.”
– Kathleen Kelly, “You’ve Got Mail”
That’s why I became a writer.
I started writing my first book after my son was born and my dream of being an author was reignited. I wanted to write something that children would remember when they were all grown up. And so I wrote a cozy family read-aloud, The Ill-Tempered Clavier. (Read more about my book at the end of the post!)
When I think back to the books that meant the most to me as a child, the stories that have stayed with me are the ones that taught me how to “sit.”
In a world that is increasingly shaped by instant gratification, my goal is to write stories that slow us down and foster connection. Stories that we can read aloud as a family. Stories that help us become better thinkers and that help transform us into better versions of ourselves.
What are your favorite childhood stories and how did they help you grow into the person you are today?
“The Ill-Tempered Clavier”
Click for Book Summary
In a quiet 1950s Midwestern town, a fussy little rat named Clavier prefers mischief over merriment. But when he gets left behind on the brink of Christmas Eve, he stumbles upon a mystery inside the old church–strange noises, a secret hidden in plain sight, and a mysterious old man sneaking through the attic at midnight. As Clavier unravels the clues, he discovers a musical secret buried for decades. But when the old man lands in trouble, Clavier is the only one who can save the Christmas Eve surprise. Can he find the courage to change his tune?
“Intriguing, exciting, and sweet like caramel—it was lovely.”
– Hannah Jayne
“Full of adventure, humor, drama, emotion, and a bit of mischief, this adorable story was a delight to read! It’s a book that will have young readers turning the pages. I love this unique and charming story that builds up to Christmas. The ending made me grab a tissue. A gem for sure!”
– Jean B.
Thanks for reading!
Christa
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