This rollicking and fascinating picture book biography chronicles the life of the first pioneer of children’s books—John Newbery himself. While most children’s books in the 18th century contained lessons and rules, John Newbery imagined them overflowing with entertaining stories, science, and games. He believed that every book should be made for the reader’s enjoyment. Newbery—for whom the prestigious Newbery Medal is named—became a celebrated author and publisher, changing the world of children’s books forever. This book about his life and legacy is as full of energy and delight as any young reader could wish.
Every children’s librarian worth their salt is familiar with the Newbery Medal, which is “awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children”.
But who exactly was John Newbery, and why is this prestigious award given in his honour?
Balderdash! answers those very questions by providing readers with an accessible, colourful, loving ode to the man who made it his life’s mission to get books into children’s hands.
The publishing industry in the 18th century didn’t think too highly of children. Stories had been written and published for children for years, but they always served an instructive purpose, designed to teach and impart morals, not to entertain. As the book explains, “Many mums and dads worried that if their little nippers read fun books, they’d turn wild as beasts!”
But John Newbery felt differently. He believed that children deserved books that would entertain them, excite them, and engage them. He produced attractive little pocket books filled with fairy tales, games and riddles. He created a magazine for children, with rhymes, riddles, recipes and stories sure to delight. And he gave the world of children’s literature his greatest gift – the children’s novel, a longer story written just for young readers to savour, chapter by chapter.
Nancy Carpenter’s illustrations are cheeky and charming, and help bring a long-passed period in history brightly to life for young readers with an aesthetic that manages to be both vintage and contemporary.
Author Michelle Markel includes an author’s note, as well as a selected bibliography that will help readers (and educators) continue their explorations into the life of this fascinating man.
Balderdash! is a fascinating look at a trailblazing man who almost single-handedly changed the face of children’s literature, and is a must-have addition to any children’s literature collection.
BALDERDASH!
Hardcover, 44 pages
April 4, 2017 : Chronicle Books
Source: Raincoast Books
I loved this book!
And as an aside, Betsy Bird has a fascinating post looking at the multicultural illustrations in this and other picture books and asking about what the rules are for “adding” diversity to nonfiction. http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/08/09/what-color-is-the-past-history-diversity-and-books-for-kids/
Thanks for sharing that link. Very interesting post.
This sounds like fun! Off to put it on reserve–thanks, Jane!
Balderdash looks like it has a lot of good information, but it also seems to be presented in a very entertaining way which apparently would have please Newbery.
I enjoyed this biography too, but I haven’t shared it with young readers yet. Will do that this fall with the start of our Mock Newbery club. I’ll be interested in the reaction of young readers.
This was definitely a fun read.