C.S. Lewis on children's books

C.S. Lewis has had a big impact on my life and I love many of his works - notably The Weight of Glory, Why I am not a Pacifist and his Narnian Chronicles.  If you think you know the story because you've seen the movie .... oh .... I am so sad for you.  I like the movies too (well not Prince Caspian - ugg)  but it's just not even the same.

I like what he had to say about children's books.  Here are some brief quotes of his -


C.S. Lewis said - I am almost inclined to set it up as a canon that a children's story which is enjoyed only by children is a bad children's story. The good ones last" He also notes that "it certainly is my opinion that a book worth reading only in childhood is not worth reading even then.  I put in [my children's stories] what I would have liked to read when I was a child and what I still like reading now that I am in my fifties" (Of Other Worlds)

I completely agree with this, which is why I am so picky about the books I read to my children and what books I recommend to others.  I can't bear to read those twaddley, dumbed down books that at best fill time and worst appeal to base appetites.

Every once in a while I have heard a parent say, "I don't care what they are reading.  At least they are reading something."  But what you read is what is feeding your soul.
Would parents say something like this, "I don't care if all they eat is fried Twinkies and over caffeinated energy drinks.  At least they are eating something."  Wow - what an unpleasant picture that conjures up for me!

Feed your children's souls and yours at the same time!