Book Review: Children's Books of the Century

Don Mathis gives reviews of the best children’s books of each decade.

Through the centuries, there have been some great bedtime tales for children. James Finn Garner, in his “Politically Correct Bedtime Stories” (MacMillan Publishing Co., 1994), lampoons such favorites as “Little Red Riding Hood,” “Cinderella,” “The Pied Piper,” and others. Politically Correct, they are; children’s stories, not!

Stories like “Chicken Little,” “The Ugly Duckling,” “Jack and the Beanstalk,” and “The Ginger Bread Man” do get a child-pleasing twist by author John Scieszka and illustrator Lane Smith in “The Stinky Cheese Man* and Other Fairly Stupid Tales” (Scholastic Inc., 1992). These fractured fables will please young and old.

Through the years of this passing century, there have been some terrific tales for the sleep- and age-deprived. My son Charlie and I have our favorites from each decade. Most are still in print. All are perfect for gifts.

The character of “Peter Pan,” by J.M. Barrie (Charles Scribner’s Sons), dates back to 1902. Disney’s adaptations of the Boy Who Never Grew Up are still timely. Freudian thinkers have a field day with the Lost Boys and Never Land. The story of Wendy, telling the stories of Pan, creates a story within a story as timeless as childhood itself.

“Raggedy Ann Stories,” written and illustrated by Johnny Gruelle (Bobbs-Merrill Co.) in 1918, features a figure more famous as a doll than as a literary character. The way Ann and her friends talk and play (when humans are not around) predates the premise of “Toy Story” by generations. This first of many volumes continues into the 1990s with tales of flying on a kite, a washing, a candy heart. All retain their power to interest and amuse children.

The story In which Pooh Goes Visiting and Gets into a Tight Place* from “Winnie-The-Pooh,” by A.A. Milne, illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard (E.P. Dutton & Co.), first came out in 1926. Like Raggedy Ann, Pooh was authored by a father for his child, the plaything’s owner. What is so endearing about a bear of little brain? Again, the Zen of Christopher Robin’s friends provide a playground for psychological analysis.

“The ABC Bunny” is a lesser known work by Newbery Award winning writer and illustrator Wanda Gag (Coward, McCann & Geoghegan, 1933). This is a great letter-learning song and a wonderful bedtime book. It has pleasing pictures too. Charlie was two when he could finish the rhyme for each letter. “Y for you, take one last look; Z for zero, close the book.”

Another rabbit tale is “Goodnight Moon,”* by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clemet Hurd (Harper & Row, 1947). Lucky is the child (and parent) who discovers Brown at an early age. To stall the inevitable coming of sleep, this bunny says goodnight to everything; bears, chairs, even the night air. This book is a classic in every sense of the word.

“Harold and the Purple Crayon” (Harper & Row) was written and illustrated by Crockett Johnson in 1955. Though markers might have replaced crayons, nothing can replace the creativity and imagination of Harold as he draws himself in and out of some strange predicaments. As the story draws to an end, he finally finds his way home. Charlie loves to draw and he loves this book.

Fears of the dark are dispelled – no, made fun of, and welcomed – in an early work of the "Little Critter’s" creator. Mercer Mayer is the author and illustrator of “There’s a Nightmare in My Closet” (Dial Books for Young Readers, 1968). Mayer’s books are popular. This one should not be missed.

A boy’s dream adventure will take you “In the Night Kitchen,” written and illustrated by Maurice Sendak (Harper & Row, 1970). Images of old movies and New York of the 30s abound. Is this book controversial? Does frontal nudity bother you? Is it good? Have you heard of the Caldecott Honor Books? The New York Times also named it the Best Illustrated Book of 1970. Every library should have a copy. Check it out.

“In a Dark, Dark Room,” by Alvin Schwartz, illustrated by Dirk Zimmer (Harper) came out in 1984. Many experts say young children should not be told frightening tales. My son is the exception. He found this collection of scary stories at Grandmother’s house and began to ‘read’ it to me at age three. And why not? It’s from Harper’s ‘I Can Read’ publications. It’s perfect for a mature toddler to a second-grader.

“Guess How Much I Love You,”* by Sam McBratney and illustrated by Anita Jeram (Candlewick Press, 1994) is a modern classic. Charlie and I were already into the game of topping each other in ‘How much I love you’ when we discovered this book. Big Nutbrown Hare holds his arms wider than Little Nutbrown Hare in demonstrating the quantity of love he holds for his son. Love "all the way down the lane as far as the river" is not as far as "across the river and over the hills." Babies will like the pen and ink and watercolors by Jeram. Toddlers will attempt to top the competition when you ask, “Guess How Much I Love You?”

Through the years of this passing decade, quite a few bedtime stories have been published that will make a child feel safe, happy, loved, home. Somewhere, sometime this evening, someone is reading the best bedtime book of the 2000s. Charlie and I believe the last ten years will have these contenders:

Doreen Cronin writes about the sounds of “Click, Clack Moo – Cows That Type,” a different type of animal farm. Friendly illustrations by Betsy Lewin make it easy for a child to empathize with Farmer Brown’s creatures in this Caldecott Honor Book (Simon & Shuster Books for Young Readers, 2000). Though the disgruntled cows are unable to verbalize their discontent, they are able to type their gripes. Negotiations are finally reached – but then there are the ducks…

“Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!” (Scholastic Inc., 2003), by Mo Williams, gives kids a taste of their own logic – and they love it! The pigeon begs, whines, and bargains to be allowed to drive the bus. Young readers will give the morality lesson in this book, a Weekly Reader Editor’s Choice.

“Skippyjon Jones” (Puffin, 2005) is a cat full of rhymes and Spanish expressions. Author Judy Schachner brings hyper-activity and multiculturalism to the new century. This Siamese cat will inspire readers with his rocking imagination. This E.B. White Read Aloud Award winner is a sure contender for the new age.

What was your favorite book as you were growing up? These and other books will last into new generations. What bedtime story will be your child’s favorite?

*Books marked with an asterisk are included in “The 20th Century Children’s Book Treasury” (Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., 1998), a compilation of more than 40 great stories for young or old.

– Review by Don Mathis