Where do I begin?

I am currently reading The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. It was recommended by a friend and...so far so good, I'm happy to say! I'll let you know what I think when I'm done. I'm absorbing and highlighting quotes as I go (which is a good sign), so it may be a week or two before I write a review on this one.

Other than my current read, I have wondered what books I should begin blogging about. Beginnings are always difficult for me, especially when it comes to writing. So, I mulled it over for a couple of days and decided to start with a something for each age group. As I stated before, I read all types of books.

First, let's start with a good children's book. The classics are well-known and well-loved. In recent years, I have a added a "new classic" to my ever-growing shelves of children's books. While I know that Christmas has already passed, the first book that comes to my mind is My Penguin Osbert. The story is absolutely wonderful, well-written, and the illustration are adorable. The story is about a boy who asks Santa for a penguin for Christmas. It's a great lesson in what happens when we actually get what we ask for. I originally bought the book as a gift, and I loved it so much that I bought myself the big book version and the smaller book version.

I'd like to make a suggestion here. If you are going to give someone a children's book as a gift for their small child/children, please give them the big book and the little book (if there is one). You see, the big one can be put away for that special parent and child reading time. It is the book that may one day be passed on to another child or may be passed on to the child's child one day. The smaller version is for the child to look at themselves. It is the one that may get juice spilled on it or sticky candy fingers may turn the pages. It will be the well-loved book of the child. I don't like to keep children's books out of the reach of small hands, so...I buy two of the ones that are the best. :)

I suppose I should mention that I am a pretty good expert when it comes to children's books. I've been a storyteller for children (costume and all) for about fifteen years. I watch the reactions of children to books. I pay attention to what they enjoy the most about a story. I am partial to stories that teach a good lesson, give a good hero, give a good laugh, or touches a child's heart with understanding about themselves or the world around them. When a book hits on all those things? That's the best!

One more thing,...when choosing a children's book, be sure you enjoy the story. I can't say it better than C.S. Lewis: "A children's story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children's story in the slightest."