Do you remember your favorite book from childhood?
I remember having “Pat the Bunny” as a very young child.

Books by Dr. Seuss and his protégé P.D. Eastman (“Go Dog Go”) were good for both learning to read and being read to. Horton was particularly fascinating, perched on that nest while lazy Mayzie flew off to Palm Beach!

As I got older, nothing beat Judy Blume for real talk about real things that I actually cared about. “Deenie” was a favorite and of course, “Are you there God? It’s me, Margaret?”

Book banners like to target Judy Blume books, which is all the more reason to keep buying them, reading them, and giving them to your kids and grandkids.
Florida resident and bookstore owner Judy Blume tells us how she really feels about her governor.
![A logo for "50 Happens," [a site dedicated to Gen X women with children and grandchildren] [who embrace life's challenges with humor and resilience], [featuring a modern and uplifting design] [that embodies strength and positivity] [with an elegant and playful style] [and a harmonious blend of colors like pink, fuchsia, purple, and blue].](https://50happens.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/img-5uorrxvwartomopcpuhjfjd0.png?w=300)
I had to take a children’s class when I was in college. I was absolutely stunned just how much thought goes into every word that is used in a text, every illustration, the colors that are used. It’s a pretty mind blowing process.
That, and it was funny going into the school bookstore and buying a copy of “where the wild things are“ as one of my assigned texts
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Oh cool! I would’ve liked that class! Thanks for sharing the story.
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It was cool. I what’s explain to my high schoolers that there’s WAY more going on in children’s literature than most of us even realize.
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Case in point: Officer Buckle and Gloria. Such a beautiful story about being loved and valued.
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I’ll have to check that one out at some point when I’m a grandma. We missed that one in my house.
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Don’t wait! check it out of the library soon. it is a delight.
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So true. The writer – illustrator match is so important. I’m in awe of those that do both, like Dr. Seuss.
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also Robert McCloskey. Make Way for Ducklings, Blueberries for Sal.
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I never knew Eastman was a protege of Dr Seuss. But it makes sense after looking at the book again.
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Eastman’s books were great for early readers.
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Good to read her comments. I concur, Judy. Sigh.
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