{"product_id":"9781501150425","title":"Wild Things: The Joy of Reading Children's Literature as an Adult","description":"\u003cb\u003eAn irresistible, nostalgic, insightful—and totally original—ramble through classic children’s literature from \u003ci\u003eVanity Fair \u003c\/i\u003econtributing editor (and father) Bruce Handy.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e“Consistently intelligent and funny…The book succeeds wonderfully.” —\u003ci\u003eThe New York Times Book Review\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e“A delightful excursion…Engaging and full of genuine feeling.” —\u003ci\u003eThe Wall Street Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e“Pure pleasure.” —\u003ci\u003eVanity Fair\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e“Witty and engaging…Deeply satisfying.” —\u003ci\u003eChristian Science Monitor\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn 1690, the dour \u003ci\u003eNew England Primer\u003c\/i\u003e, thought to be the first American children’s book, was published in Boston. Offering children gems of advice such as “Strive to learn” and “Be not a dunce,” it was no fun at all. So how did we get from there to “Let the wild rumpus start”? And now that we’re living in a golden age of children’s literature, what can adults get out of reading \u003ci\u003eWhere the Wild Things Are\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eGoodnight Moon\u003c\/i\u003e, or \u003ci\u003eCharlotte’s Web\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eLittle House on the Prairie\u003c\/i\u003e?\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e In \u003ci\u003eWild Things\u003c\/i\u003e, Bruce Handy revisits the classics of American childhood, from fairy tales to \u003ci\u003eThe Very Hungry Caterpillar\u003c\/i\u003e, and explores the backstories of their creators, using context and biography to understand how some of the most insightful, creative, and witty authors and illustrators of their times created their often deeply personal masterpieces. Along the way, Handy learns what \u003ci\u003eThe Cat in the Hat\u003c\/i\u003e says about anarchy and absentee parenting, which themes link \u003ci\u003eThe Runaway Bunny\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003ePortnoy’s Complaint\u003c\/i\u003e, and why Ramona Quimby is as true an American icon as Tom Sawyer or Jay Gatsby. It’s a profound, eye-opening experience to reencounter books that you once treasured after decades apart. A clear-eyed love letter to the greatest children’s books and authors, from Louisa May Alcott and L. Frank Baum to Eric Carle, Dr. Seuss, Mildred D. Taylor, and E.B. White, \u003ci\u003eWild Things\u003c\/i\u003e will bring back fond memories for readers of all ages, along with a few surprises.","brand":"Simon \u0026 Schuster","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47136931348720,"sku":"9781501150425","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9781501150425_p0.jpg?v=1763707191","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9781501150425","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}