From: Robin Smith <smithr>
Date: Sat, 7 Aug 1999 12:20:46 -0500

Steven's question is a good one. He asked,
"I wonder how all the symbols and hidden details work on the child's experience of his books. Do they make the books more powerful to children, or just to adults."


 I constantly try to get children to explain WHY they love a certain book. Sometimes they can, but mostly they cannot. The Three Robbers is a book I have always loved. I have a smaller edition from England and the newly-reprinted larger format that I read to my second graders. They love the book and borrow it frequently. They cannot explain the allure in words. The first time I read it, they are always taken by the colors in the illustrations: cartoon-like and old?shioned. They love the blunderbuss and the pepper sprayer. The name "Tiffany" always amuses them. (Did Tomi realize that "Tiffany" would be one of the most common 1990s names? I think not.) Children are always so interested in the idea of adoption and abandonment and love the way the robbers are so instantly transformed by the treasure that is Tiffany. "Since there was no treasure but Tiffany..." is such a delightful line for all of us. To be a treasure and to be treasured is at the heart of every human's longing.
        I know that children love to see hidden secrets within text and pictures, but my children do not usually notice hidden details unless I notice them and point them out.
Received on Sat 07 Aug 1999 12:20:46 PM CDT