Why I Like to Read Children’s Books

Okay. Confession time. I love to read or even listen to books targeted to kids and young adults… Harry Potter, Artemis Fowl, even classics like A Wrinkle in Time. You name it and I’ve probably read it at some point or another.

In a moment of self-reflection, I got to thinking on why I keep making this somewhat unusual choice of subject matter. What I’ve realized is that there is likely some element of nostalgia here as well as an appreciation for the sheer spectacle some of these books contain. But at the heart of it all? I love these stories because of their underlying sense of hope.

I’ve written previously about the importance of having a sense of optimism and how that can fundamentally shape your life in a much better direction. I view these stories as shoring up that foundation because, while they can deal with serious subject matters like death, divorce and even the end of the world, the good guys tend to win out in the end. Am I being naive and maybe a bit self-delusional? Probably. But that’s not the point of reading these books.

Ultimately, I think like anything you consume, you need to be well-rounded in what you’re taking in whether it’s food or news or books. I’ll often pick up a biography or an interesting book on leadership or marketing, but if I’m selecting a piece of fiction, you’ll tend to see me in the teen or kids space at the library or book store (which is only mildly awkward).

Returning to the diet concept for a moment, think about the advice our doctors have given us for years – that we are what we eat. If you want to be healthy, you give your body the vitamins and nutrients it needs to survive and thrive. In the same way, the things we mentally consume feed and sustain us… or they don’t. If you consistently choose books and articles that have a negative outlook, I believe those tend to affect your perspective.

I’m reminded of my grandmother who, as she got into her mid-90s, required less-and-less sleep. As her eyesight was also failing, she turned to listening to talk radio at all hours of the day. Sadly, that steady stream of negative and sensationalist news changed her view of the world. She grew increasingly anxious and felt that her family and friends faced an uncertain future. And she carried that point of view with her until she passed away.

Now, I’m not saying we should always walk around with rose colored glasses on but you need to make a conscious choice to ensure that you’re feeding your “positive brain” at least as much as your stoking the negative one. And, for me, that involves listening to stories where the heroes typically win out in the end. You may find yours on good news websites or in volunteering time working with children. Whatever it takes, always remember to stoke the positive.

Know that I’m pulling for you!