Kell Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 I've just finished reading what turned out to be described as a children's book* - something I've been doing a lot of recently, & I thought I'd ask folks here a few questions: When is a children's book a children's book? Is it all down to the subject matter? Is it the language or the writing style? Is it something else completely? I have to say that I haven't a clue any more. It used to be that you could tell a kids' book a mile off, but now the margins seem to have blurred a lot. Is it all down to the likes of Harry Potter & his ilk? Or is it something else? There are books classed as children's books that I class as personal favourites even today, as an adult, (the likes of The Chronicles of Narnia, for example, & I loved both the Harry Potter series & the Artemis Fowl series too). Some of them are more "obvious" as being aimed at a younger audience, but when I see titles like The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, I start to wonder what actually makes that a book specifically for young readers? Anyone got any theories? I'd be interested to hear them... * In case you're wondering, it was The Star of Kazan by Eva Ibbotson & I'll be writing the review tonight... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kell Posted November 17, 2005 Author Share Posted November 17, 2005 Anyone? Come on, guys, I can't be the only one reading teen fiction & kids' books can I? LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 I think it's just you and me! http://bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=398 I have actually just ordered the second Jonathan Stroud one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freewheeling Andy Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 The fantasy stuff is not for me, and never really was. I couldn't work out whether "The Curious Incident Of The Dog..." was a kids' book or an adult one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inanna Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 I read 'young adult' books as I find them very refreshing. I have now got books 1-5 in the Harry Potter series which I can't wait to read. I also adore Garth Nix, his stories are so brilliant. I recently discovered Victoria Hanley who writes fantasy too and I also just bought a book by Patricia A Mckillip who also looks good 8-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kell Posted January 4, 2006 Author Share Posted January 4, 2006 I'm a recent convert to Harry Potter, myself, Inanna. I only started reading them last summer & ended up loving them all (especially No4!). It was pure snobbery that prevented e from reading them esooner! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inanna Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 LOL I bought the 'adult' cover editions, so they don't look so childlike on my shelf I've gotten used to picking up books from the teen section now, at first I was a bit apprehensive about reading them, thinking that maybe they would be too childish for me, but the ones I have read have been great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freewheeling Andy Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 I bought the 'adult' cover editions Ah. How the world has changed. "Adult books" used to be concealed inside less racy stuff. Now, it seems, kids books are concealed by adult covers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inanna Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 LOL oh I think they still do those too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margo Posted January 6, 2006 Share Posted January 6, 2006 Lion Witch and the Wardrobe is a kids book, and I found it pretty basic. Although I do love the book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugar Posted June 7, 2006 Share Posted June 7, 2006 For my job, I read a lot of children's books. It is sooooo hard to know where the lines are. We often class something by the age of the narrator - but that doesn't always work - Spies by Frayn is written from the point of view of a 12 year old, but clearly an adult book! One of my recent reads was Holes by Louis Sacher. This was really clever with the way that the stories came together - but certainly aimed at the 11-13 market, while still being enjoyable by older people too. I think that a childrens book is on that explores ideas that feel particularly important to a certain younger age group, and is written in a way that will appeal to that age group too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icecream Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 I have many children's books on my shelf unread as yet, because people bought so many as a child because they knew I loved reading that I could not get round to them all. I love reading my favourites to the children now. I would love to revisit things like the secret seven or read some I have not yet read, but I have to many more adult books to read. I always will love Enid Blyton though, and I am definitely a harry potter fan, no matter how basic the books seem for an adult. I love the fantastical element of children's books, and like making these kind of stories up myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sassenach Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 I think, as a general rule, it's the age of the main character. I read lots of them, probably a reflection on my mental age! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 I've recently read a few children's 'classics' such as The Railway Children (even though I've watched both versions of the films 1000s of times!), The Secret Garden and lots of Enid Blyton. I want to read 'The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas' when it comes out in paperback - it sounds like a good read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icecream Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 I loved the secret garden film. It is actually my favourite film. Maybe that show my mental age, but I always did think a lot of me was shown in Mary. I never did get round to reading the book.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugar Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 I never did get round to reading the book.. If you enjoyed the film , you certainly should read the book. It's one of my top 20 reads ever! From the first sentance you are carried along by the writing and the imagery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icecream Posted June 10, 2006 Share Posted June 10, 2006 From the first sentance you are carried along by the writing and the imagery. Yes definitely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inanna Posted June 11, 2006 Share Posted June 11, 2006 The Secret Garden I read that a few years ago, along with The Little Princess, both were great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icecream Posted June 12, 2006 Share Posted June 12, 2006 The little princess is my all time favourite film.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiccibat Posted June 12, 2006 Share Posted June 12, 2006 Mine is Little Women, I loved Black Beauty,and Treasure Island too. I used to get annoyed with Robinson Crusoe I didn't like the way he made Friday a servant. I still have a soft spot for children's literature, I read the worst witch series before I let my kids near them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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