Vanity fair contributing editor bruce handys new book, wild things. Highly recommended for anyone who reads or has readchildrens literature. The joy of reading childrens literature as an adult bruce handy. Aug 18, 2017 vanity fair contributing editor bruce handys new book, wild things. Wild things by bruce handy overdrive rakuten overdrive. An irresistible, nostalgic, and insightful and totally original ramble through classic children s literature from vanity fair contributing editor and father. Bruce handy is currently a contributing editor of vanity fair. Bruce handy s wild things takes us on a revelatory romp through books meant for childhood, but which often reveal even more about growing up. An irresistible, nostalgic, insightfuland totally originalramble through classic childrens literature from vanity fair contributing editor and father bruce handy. Almost any mother or father will tell you that one of. Politics and prose offers superior service, unusual book choices, and a haven for book lovers in the store and. Wild things makes a convincing case for reading childrens.
The joy of reading childrens literature as an adult, bruce handy makes a case for books aimed at kids not just being a narcotic to put them to sleep, but rather. Wild things is a delicious dive into the world of childrens lit bruce handys brief but deeply satisfying survey of childrens literature marries curiosity, humor, and downright excitement. In wild things, bruce handy offers a rousing and nostalgic romp through the classics of childrens literature from the latter half of the 20th century, from goodnight moon to ramona to the lion, the witch and the wardrobe. August 20, 2017 bruce handys new book takes an emotional, intuitive look at the world of childrens books, from goodnight moon to. Dont bother with this tedious, critically vapid and utterly stupid book handy is. In wild things, bruce handy revisits your favorite childrens books.
Singling out 50odd authors and many timeless titles, bruce handy reflects on the lasting riches to be found in. Browse bruce handys bestselling audiobooks and newest titles. A grownups travels down the rabbit hole of childrens. The joy of kids books, when youre all grown up usa today. The special joy of reading childrens books through grown. Bruce handy and kurt talk about childrens books with their. That you dont have to be a child to be a lover and reader of childrens literature is the conceit of bruce handys wild things, a terrific rumpus of a journey into the world of illustrated and young reader classics that maurice sendak grumpily termed kiddiebookland, and dr. Aug 20, 2017 sweet, generous wild things is a playful survey of kid lit bruce handys new book takes an emotional, intuitive look at the world of childrens books, from goodnight moon to charlottes web. The joy of reading childrens literature as an adult audiobook by bruce handy. In wild things, vanity fair contributing editor bruce handy revisits the classics of every american childhood, from fairy tales to the very hungry caterpillar, and explores the back stories of their creators, using context and biography to understand how some of the most insightful, creative, and witty authors and illustrators of their times. I havent quite finished it yet, but it has been an enjoyable summer read. Bruce handy and kurt talk about childrens books with. The joy of reading childrens literature as an adult, arrives at an ironic. I realized i was getting so much pleasure not just from the nighttime ritual but from.
Bruce handy is about my age, a parent, white, and born on the west coast. Handy was nominated for an emmy in 1993 as a member of. Handy is best known for his articles in the new yorker and other magazines, and he brings that same wit and insight into this adults look at childrens books. Wild things book by bruce handy official publisher. Wild things by bruce handy childrens literature by seth lerer the witch must. Wild things book by bruce handy official publisher page. Wild things takes a witty and singular look back at childhood literature through the eyes of vanity fair contributing editor bruce handy. Bruce handys new book takes an emotional, intuitive look at the world of childrens books, from goodnight moon to charlottes web, which he. Bruce handy bruce handy revisits the classics of every american childhood, from fairy tales to the very hungry caterpillar, and explores the back stories of their creators, using context and biography to. This is not a lecture or doctoral thesis, but a way of reading childrens literature in a. For a person who loves loves, even reading about childrens literature like me, this book was a prized find at the texas library association conference.
Bruce handy, a contributing editor to vanity fair, explores this intriguing journey down memory lane in his first book, wild things. In wild things, bruce handy revisits your favorite. The dour new england primer, thought to be the first american. For those of us with a passion for childrens literature, this book is a corker. The joy of reading childrens literature as an adult, arrives at an ironic time in his life.
Aug 16, 2017 wild things the joy of reading childrens literature as an adult by bruce handy 307 pages. Now that were living in a golden age of childrens literature, what can adults get out of reading where the wild things are and goodnight moon. I realized i was getting so much pleasure not just from the nighttime ritual but from the books themselves, books i had loved myself as a kid and enjoyed rediscovering, as well as. Its an amazing read for those of us who know and love margaret wise brown, maurice sendak, dr. Almost any mother or father will tell you that one of the great pleasures of. Sweet, generous wild things is a playful survey of. In 1690, the dour new england primer, thought to be the first american children s book, was published in boston. The joy of reading childrens literature as an adult, takes an opinionated, biographywithzingers approach to the kid lit pantheon. An irresistible, nostalgic, insightful and totally original ramble through classic. Wildthings a couple months ago i made mention of the fact that bruce handy, a contributing editor at vanity fair, had written a book called wild. Clearly passionate about his topic, handy dives into the context of the publication of these books with enthusiasm and. Fair, bruce handy explains that the inspiration for his wild things was his. The joy of reading childrens literature as an adult, bruce handy makes a case for books aimed at kids not just being a narcotic to put them to sleep, but. Wild things makes a convincing case for reading childrens books as an adult.
It was the first book i had to read when i got home. That you dont have to be a child to be a lover and reader of childrens literature is. A personal, breezy tour of classic childrens books the new. Mar 26, 2018 bruce handy, a contributing editor to vanity fair, explores this intriguing journey down memory lane in his first book, wild things. The joy of reading childrens literature as an adult by bruce handy. Bruce handys wild things takes us on a revelatory romp through books meant for childhood, but which often reveal even more about.
Wild things book vaughan public libraries bibliocommons. The joy of reading childrens literature as an adult, by bruce handy. The joy of reading childrens literature as an adult, bruce handy does as his title promises, proceeding through childrens literature like someone determined to cook. Aug 14, 2017 bruce handys new book wild things celebrates the classics of childrens literature and reading them again.
Handy is a knowledgable person about childrens literature and he shares the wide research he did on the authors and books in wild things. The joy of reading childrens literature as an adult. The joy of reading childrens literature as an adult by bruce handy promotes reading and rereading kids books to those who are no longer young. Bruce handy discusses wild things, his book on childrens literature and adult readers i knew the focus of each chapter i wanted to write, whether it was a genre like. Clearly passionate about his topic, handy dives into the context of the publication of these books with enthusiasm and verve. Dont all bookworms occasionally return to their favorite stories of childhood. The joy of reading childrens literature as an adult by.
Wild things the joy of reading childrens literature as an adult book. Author bruce handy revisits classics of childrens literature. The surprising complexities of reading childrens literature. Bruce handys new book wild things celebrates the classics of childrens literature and reading them again. The joy of reading childrens literature as an adult, explores the act of picking up beatrix potter, maurice sendak, and c. A grownups travels down the rabbit hole of childrens literature. The good books deserve a critical eye and critical thinking. In wild things, bruce handy revisits your favorite childrens. The joy of childrens literature as an adult is part analysis, part tribute, and part personal revelation. Author says some wild things about childrens literature. I checked it out from the library after reading this piece in the new yorker.
Author interview bruce handy, author of wild things. As one who reads a great deal of childrens literature, everything from board books to ya novels, reading bruce handy s latest book wild things was not only an escape into the books of my formative years, it was a thoughtful analysis complete with footnotes, appendix, and accompanying bibliography at the back of the book of childrens. A personal, breezy tour of classic childrens books the. Nov 17, 2017 for those of us with a passion for childrens literature, this book is a corker.
Wild things public library of cincinnati and hamilton. Founded by carla cohen and barbara meade in 1984, politics and prose bookstore is washington, d. Sweet, generous wild things is a playful survey of kid lit bruce handys new book takes an emotional, intuitive look at the world of childrens books, from goodnight moon to charlottes web. When asked his favorite childrens book, handy acknowledges that despite. Sweet, generous wild things is a playful survey of kid lit.
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