Why I still read kiddy books

I grew up reading the Hungry Caterpillar and Mr Men and Little Miss books (and sometimes the Berenstein bears). I loved them! (Still do). They are so simple, with funny and had great illustrations. Sunday afternoons were spent curled up on the sofa with dog-eared copies of Calvin and Hobbes from the church library.

In my primary-school years and teens, while my friends were reading more 'mature' fare such as Hellen Keller and adult fiction I was still surviving on staples of Hardy boys (haha yeah, that corny but entertaining ghostwriter series), Archie Comics and other picture books. My writing never suffered. Of course, it was a bit of a strain to write 'serious, adult fiction' as my education progressed (and I was always awed by contemporaries who could), but that isn't one of my interests anyway. Besides, my critical, General Paper pieces always had weight.

I am not ashamed to say I browse the kiddy section in libraries (to the consternation of real kids. Haaa!)

"Have you downgraded? Are you reading your (much younger) sister's books??!" people ask me. The truth is, I've never really 'advanced'. The childrens'/ youth book market is so varied and thriving, and there is much to explore.

The most prolific writers, for me, have usually written successful children's books at some point in their career. It boils down to their ability to weave ideas and insight into palatable, digestible fare. The good ones throw in apt descriptions and words which make you pick up the dictionary, without overwhelming the reader with convoluted sentences.

Sometime in my teens I was given adult books to read (by some friends who thought i needed some exposure to more intellectual reading material). These consisted of thick volumes of Agatha Christie, Sidney Sheldon and the like (some other 'famous' authors, but so repulsive they have been wiped from my conscious memory. This includes the ubiquitous Singapore Ghost Stories, and Crime files, something like that. Eeurgh).

I remember being mostly paralysed by fear (the result of a very vivid imagination - re: Snow White scares me) and with horny images drifting around my head. Are gore and (WHINY, vindictive and unneccessarily complicated) love triangles something to be appreciated?
Certainly not for me. Especially when the novels eventually degenerate (some people call it the climax) into a customary roll in the haystack when the writers run out of ideas.

So in the cesspit of adult fiction, Thank God for these writers, artists and works; they make me think, laugh and aspire to greater things - I hope they do the same for you.

Eric Carle
For Better of for Worse
Mutts
Rose is Rose
The Talent Thief
Mr Men and Little Miss
Winnie the Pooh (i prefer the original drwaings to Disney's version)
Trixie Belden (vintage-style sleuthing with nice sceneries to boot)
Calvin n' Hobbes
I have seen the World Begin (not kiddy in the least. a bit on the heavy side, but i like the illustrations and titles. no, i've never finished reading it lol)
Jimmy Liao (although i can't read Chinese very well)
Tintin (supreme adventurer)
Ally's World
Berkeley Breathed
Tales from the Ark & More Tales from the Ark (amusing, if not hilarious)
Craig Thompson
Daddy Long Legs
Shel Silverstein
Nicholas by Goscinny & Sempe
Paddington bear!

and many, many others.
THANK YOU a million times over.