From: Megan Schliesman <mjschlie>
Date: Tue, 6 Aug 1996 18:31:59 -0500

Megan McGuire mentioned that today's picture books seem to acknowledge more so than those in the past the intelligence of children. One of the author/illustrators I respect for doing this so consistently is Lynn Reiser, who Katy Horning brought up in her introductory message to this month's discussion. In books such as "Any Kind of Dog," "Margaret and Margarita" "The Surprise Family," "Two Mice in Three Fables" and others, Reiser offers children books in which both text and illustrations acknowledge their ability to "get it"..."it" being a wide range of things from delightful humor (found in both pictures and words) to wonderful unwinding plot elements to ideas that are never stated didacticly. Rather than writing (or drawing) down to children, she expresses a deep appreciation for their wit, their abilities and their curiosity in her books, engaging young readers from this place of great respect, and these are elements that make them "true picture books" for me.

Can anyone share reactions to Lynn Reiser's books from children?

Likewise, what other qualities do you look for in truly child?ntered picture books?

Megan Schliesman Cooperative Children's Book Center School of Education UW-Madison schliesman at mail.soemadison.wisc.edu
Received on Tue 06 Aug 1996 06:31:59 PM CDT