' C is for Children's books'

For our hobbies 'The C Word' is setting up an international book club whose youngest member is aged eleven. The subject of reading is consistent. Once again, during a year three meeting this week, reading was recommended as one of the most important things we can spend doing with our children for the upcoming summer holidays.

Whilst always on the look out for new, exciting and great publications, it is becoming habitual for many of the books coming home from the library to be left half read or put in a pile behind the charging docks for computers. Based on key statistics from the National Literacy Trust *1 comparing children's video game playing to reading in the UK in 2023, 2 in 5 (43.4%) children and young people aged 8 to 18 said they enjoyed reading in their free time. This is the lowest level since 2005. When asking bookstores for their most interesting and recommended choices ( this includes various reputable bookstores in Cheltenham, Cirencester), none of the recommendations thus far have kept our children interested in reading.

In his younger years my eldest was an avid reader, and was always tucking a book under his arm up until bedtime. Nowadays we struggle to think of costumes to wear as his favourite character on world book day. When looking at new publications online we find the strap lines interesting but never memorable enough to purchase.

Upon recent debate we realised the ones the children keep going back to are the unabridged classics. ‘The naughtiest girl in school’ by Enid Blyton has been a favourite alongside many other Blyton classics. 'Gordons Game' has made them laugh whole heartedly, and even now they fondly remember ‘The Book With No Pictures’ by Benjamin Joseph Manaly Novak.

'The Book with No Pictures’ has a controversial story with our family and even accounted for a school headteacher meeting at one of our children's schools. *2

When the children were in preschool in South East Asia the parents were each asked to come in and read a favourite to all the children during a morning session. The book could be anything you wanted; parents could dress up or animate the story as they pleased. I chose to read ‘ The Book With No Pictures’ to a bunch of scholarly, fairly strict parented five year olds. I still remember walking in nervously wondering whether culturally, this book would hit all the right notes with a diverse and multicultural classroom. I am pleased to say the reading was a raving success. The children fell about laughing holding their sides much to the astonishment of the teachers. I even remember one fairly conservative support teacher stood tight lipped adjusting her glasses frequently not particularly fond of the mild chaos that had ensued. The children were absolutely thrilled.

For anyone who has had the chance to experience the exhilaration that follows from reading ‘The Book With No Pictures’ out loud with children you will understand that it is a book that has a fantastic way of allowing words to not be fixed or rigid, but change based on context, intent or perspective. It ‘makes’ adults read all the words and sounds which can be mischievous and playful with no accompanying pictures. The children consequently read this book repeatedly.

In comparison when we moved house and changed schools, my son took the same book to a school book day, thrilled to be sharing his favourite book. He came back that afternoon upset with jangled nerves. The form teacher had scolded him and humiliated him in class for reading from a book using the word ‘butt’. I called into school the next day to speak to the headteacher. The meeting was pleasant and explained the context and links to the academics of the book ( which, at the time a New York best seller with many positive online academic reviews). The form teacher was embarrassed and apologised for not understanding the narrative and context of the book.

Though over half a decade ago, culturally these events still can focus on how words can be interpreted in different cultures; it highlights when a book may be found humorous in western culture it may not receive as much of a enthusiastic rapport in other cultures; Curiously it wasn’t considered funny ‘age specific’; the adults from diverse educational and economic brackets needed convincing whilst no child did.

As we continue our search and suggestions from authors for great children's books, 'The Book With No Pictures' is still one of the children’s favourites and still on my sons bookshelf. It underscores how the power of words alone can captivate young minds. A book can be inspirational, spark imagination without relying on unnecessary media or graphic content, while evoking laughter and creating lasting memories. This alludes to what children may still seek in a great read and highlights the true power of an memorable children's reading book.

APPENDIX:

*1 https://literacytrust.org.uk/research-services/research-reports/children-and-young-peoples-reading-in-2023/

*2 School Conversations courtesy of:

Julia Gabriel, Bangsar, Malaysia

Rainbowkidszhouse Montessory Kindergarden & Child Day Care, Malaysia

The Children's House Cyberjaya, Malaysia