I know, I know. It's a classic and the illustrations, I agree, are charming. But I've never been a fan of its message. Oh, I guess I enjoyed the book as a kid--or was it the pictures of all that luscious candy?--but as an adult I find it way too didactic and its moral questionable. Yes, I realize that it's important to always try and that a positive mindset can get you over humps. But guess what? Sometimes you can give your all and still fail. As a child I practiced dance steps over and over, but no amount of positive thinking will ever make me a ballerina. So I resent being told that if you try really, really hard, you're bound to succeed.
Naturally, I never purchased the book for my daughter. When her aunts found out, they fretted that their niece would grow up deprived and one of them gave her the book as a present. Once in her hands, I had no choice but to read it to her--again and again. Another thing--is that book long or what! Now--full confession--she did grow up to perservere in her chosen field, undertaking three grueling years in grad school and she's currently working at a very demanding job with an extremely long commute. Does she get through her day thinking, "I think I can. I think I can."? If so, then all those endless hours reading a book I didn't much like paid off.
Well, I'm glad I got that off my chest. Now it's your turn. What picture book sticks in your craw?
I realize that you blog name is inspired by Dr. Seuss, but I have to say "Green Eggs and Ham." Whenever I am reading it all I can think is, "dear God, will this book never end!"
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ReplyDeleteWhat a relief to find someone else who is irked by this classic. I think I can... be thankful that I do not have to read that book to anyone.
ReplyDeleteI have always loved books, but I remember the first picture book that served me a taste of disappointment. I had learned to read at about the age of four, and I remember bringing a book about a giraffe to my very tired mother who worked nights and had just laid down to rest. "Read me a story?" I asked. "But you can read it to yourself now," she replied. For a moment I regretted having learned to read. I've thought about this when my own kids have asked their dog-tired mom to read a dog-eared favorite.
- Ruth Gilmore Ingulsrud