Books from Childhood: Do They Hold Up?

There was a big question that was written on the board one day that inspired this entire entry, along with passing by Barnes and Nobles and seeing a big red children’s book with a small teddy bear in green overalls, reaching for the button on the front of the book, Corduroy. 

My first thought was truly: “Wow, that still exists!? I was a wee little baby in school when I read that book!” I had found myself a little excited to see an old classic in a Barnes and Nobles bookstore. It was also exciting to see books like Mr. Captain Underpants, Biscuit, and Clifford the Big Red Dog in the kid section of books of a Walmart. These books always were short but carried many messages throughout their humor and beautiful imagery. 

Clifford the Big Red Dog, by Norman Bridwell 

Bridwell summed up the description of Clifford as: “He’s red and he’s warm. Clifford does what you’d like to do but can’t.” (Reading Rockets). But Bridwell was firm on never straying from the realism of the world, never going too deep into the imaginative or unbelievable, as the article continues on to say. Clifford makes mistakes due to his clumsiness but is always reassured that he can learn from the mistakes made, sending a message to young readers that it is okay to make mistakes as that’s the way we can grow as people. 

Biscuit and The Baby, by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

There is another kid’s book I remember about a dog, not quite as big, but small and excitable. Though it was more for babies/infants, it was a book that looked cute from the cover and told stories about a little dog. This book teaches how to help out, showing that when someone is resting, you should be patient with them and quiet. As Biscuit was excited to meet the newborn, he couldn’t be loud because it would disrupt their sleep. With patience he was able to make a new friend. 

Mr. Captain Underpants, by Dav Pilkey 

A comic book for kids that is a really good introduction to superheroes in my opinion. Personally I have never been a fan of superhero comics but Mr. Captain Underpants had that childish charm to it that really spoke out during early middle school. It’s filled to the brim with potty humor but it isn’t all about that, as it shows a small hint of meaning behind its story. It could build to a simple meaning of having fun and laughing along with others, especially at yourself. 

Corduroy, by Don Freeman 

It’s a short story about a teddy bear in search of a button that is missing from his overalls. This book shows how much one can be loved, even with the outer imperfections; someone will love you dear to their heart, just like the girl who loved the stuffed bear named Corduroy. The idea of love is carried throughout the story. “Maybe as a child he had asked himself if he had done something bad or was he missing something… like Corduroy and his missing button? He was certainly, like all of us, looking for real friendship” (Roy).

During the time of looking back at these books, not many would probably notice the meanings, as the visuals of the books were the main focus for children. Being adults means that we can more fully appreciate the lessons taught, even though they have been implanted in our minds since early childhood. These books continue to carry on, even to future generations to show the importance of love, understanding, and compassion. It leaves one to wonder how many hearts the authors embraced with their stories and collections. 

It’s stories like these that came through my childhood, ones that inspired me to write in the first place, along with showing me the importance of how lessons from within can go a long way in making an experience much more meaningful and fill the page with beauty.