The Lost Art of Wonder: What’s at Stake When Adults Abandon Children’s Literature

The notion that reading like a child again is about recapturing a lost innocence is a misleading one. It’s not about reverting to an earlier stage of development, but rather about retaining the ability to engage with the world in all its complexity and wonder.

Recent discussions around children’s literature have highlighted the importance of preserving this way of experiencing stories, which adults often dismiss as naive or unsophisticated. However, this dismissal belies a deeper issue – the loss of curiosity and openness that comes with growing up. As people mature, they increasingly prioritize efficiency and skepticism over delight and surprise.

The benefits of reading children’s books extend far beyond personal enjoyment to have broader implications for how we approach the world. Children are not just readers; they are active participants in the narrative, willing to tolerate ambiguity and accept strange rules as long as the story can captivate them. This openness is precisely what adults often lose, replacing it with a more practical, results-driven mindset.

Mac Barnett’s assertion that dismissing children’s books is equivalent to failing to recognize the potential of people takes on a profound significance in this context. By abandoning children’s literature, adults not only miss out on the delight and wonder it offers but also fail to appreciate the value of approaching life with a beginner’s mind – one that is receptive, adaptable, and curious.

The consequences of this loss are far-reaching. As Anna Holmes pointed out, when we dismiss children’s books, we are essentially dismissing people’s potential for growth and exploration. This has serious implications for how we interact with the world, from our relationships to our work.

One of the most compelling aspects of reading children’s literature is its ability to tap into our sense of awe and wonder. Stories that speak openly about fear and vulnerability can be particularly powerful in this regard, forcing us to confront our own limitations and biases. For example, a story about an endangered species may prompt readers to reevaluate their relationship with the natural world.

However, there is also a darker side to this phenomenon. The animals depicted in children’s stories are often at risk of extinction in reality, raising important questions about the impact of our choices on the world around us – not just as individuals but as a society.

Ultimately, reading like a child again is not just about personal growth or self-improvement; it’s about recognizing the value of wonder and curiosity in a world that increasingly prioritizes efficiency and productivity. By embracing children’s literature, we can recapture some of this lost art – and perhaps even rediscover our own sense of awe and wonder.

As we navigate an increasingly complex and uncertain world, it’s more important than ever to cultivate a way of engaging with stories that is open, receptive, and curious. This approach will not only enrich our personal lives but also enable us to better face the challenges ahead as individuals and as a society.

The decision to read like a child again is not just about personal preference; it’s about recognizing the value of wonder in our lives. By prioritizing this way of engaging with stories – and with the world around us – we can recapture some of the magic that children experience when they read, and perhaps even rediscover our own sense of awe and wonder.