Don't Tame the Tales!

I've always been an avid believer in how books can shape a child's world. Trust me when I say that we might have more books in our house than my kids and I can easily count. Yet, every so often, when I take that first skim through a new book to see if it's a good fit for my little ones, I find myself scratching my head. It makes me wonder: Why do some children's books seem like they've forgotten who their readers are supposed to be?

And don't even get me started on scrolling through those picture-perfect libraries on Pinterest and Instagram. It can get pretty daunting, to be honest. I've been fooled by the aesthetics of large-format, pop-up books or those with gorgeous covers a couple of times. But let's remember, books are supposed to be read, touched, and explored - yes, and maybe even a little torn up from the eager hands of a two-year-old overreading their favorite story.

For my husband's first Father's Day, I decided to get him a personalized book. "I Love You Daddy" said the cover, paired with an illustration of a little girl who looked like my daughter, and another figure, trying its best to replicate my husband (I mean, it was a tough one - the guy is bald but sports a beard. Let's just say the options for adults weren't that varied). My husband was over the moon with the gift and he eagerly waited for our then-six-month-old daughter to grow up a bit so they could share the book together. PLOT TWIST, she didn’t exactly like it so the poor book probably got opened no more than three times. She is nearly four now. But let me tell you what she did like instead: "El topo que quería saber quién se había hecho aquello en su cabeza" - a story about a mole who wakes up one day with a pile of poo on his head.

Back when we were living in Argentina, this peculiar book arrived as part of a book club we were subscribed to. Honestly, I was not a fan. I tucked it away almost instantly. But then came one of those chaotic days at home when I felt like anything could help. So, I decided to surprise Julieta with a "new" book. I fetched the mole story. And what do you know? SHE LOVED IT! Fast forward three years, it's still one of her favorites during our book rotations, and we always have a blast when reading it together.

So it got me thinking... Why not start telling them stories about things they're genuinely into? Like unicorns, cars, dinosaurs, and mermaids? How about funny, clever stories that whisk kids away to entirely new worlds? Stories that ignite their imagination and encourage them to dream bigger.

Let's skip the picture-perfect scenarios because, let's face it, they probably don't exist. Idealized tales of a two-year-old mastering the art of tantrum control just don't ring true for me (yes, I do have a book like that too, tucked away somewhere). Here's the real deal: kids are messy, life is messy. So why don't we embrace our inner child, remember what we used to love, and start reveling in the magic of reading with our kids?

At Crazy Little Books, we're all about whisking kids away to realms where their imagination can run wild, where they can dream big and become the heroes of their own extraordinary adventures. Ultimately, we aim to be that magical bridge that links them to endless worlds brimming with possibilities, all while nurturing - quite naturally and delightfully - a deep love for books.