Tiny Spaces: Mac Barnett on Why Kids Are Better Than Adults at Reading Picture Books

The Reading Culture

“I think kids are actually generally a better audience for literary fiction, for art, for ambitious storytelling that asks the reader to do work. And a lot of that is just based on how their brains work and their place in the world.” - Mac Barnett

Growing up, Mac Barnett’s mom never took their picture books off their shelves. They remained a part of his reading world, even as he grew up and could read more mature books. Maybe that choice helped Mac’s youthful spirit alight for longer. As he often notes, kids’ minds are portals to the imaginary, to making believe. For them, everything is possible: superheroes, magic, ghosts. Mac believes that open-mindedness is crucial to fully understanding and appreciating fiction, which is why he makes the argument that kids are the best audience for fiction, and in particular, picture books.

Mac Barnett is a best-selling, prolific children's author celebrated for his clever, imaginative storytelling and sharp sense of humor. He is known for books like “Extra Yarn,” “Sam and Dave Dig a Hole,” “The Terrible Two,” series and the “Mac B, Kid Spy” series. He has received numerous accolades, including two Caldecott Honors and the E.B. White Read-Aloud Award.

In this episode, Mac shares why he believes that most adults struggle to understand what makes a good children’s book. He also unpacks “Frog and Toad” as a work of experimental fiction and reflects on the lessons he's learning from his three-year-old son.

Given Mac's passion for picture books, it's fitting that his reading challenge centers around them. For his challenge, “The Possibilities of Picture Books,” he has curated a selection designed to help us see the capaciousness of the picture book format—just as his mother once did for him. Learn more and download Mac’s recommended reading list at thereadingculturepod.com/mac-barnett

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This episode's Beanstack Featured Librarian is Mari Martinez, an assistant manager and librarian at Broward County Library. She tells us why she sees the library as a secret buffet.

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Connect with Jordan and The Reading Culture @thereadingculturepod and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter.
Show Chapters

Chapter 1 - The Picture Book Proclamation

Chapter 2 - A Hall of Clocks

Chapter 3 - Smaller, Better, Faster, Smarter

Chapter 4 - Writing for Five-Year-Olds

Chapter 5 - The Will to Make Believe (and believe it)

Chapter 6 - Mac to Mac

Chapter 7 - The Possibilities of Picture Books

Chapter 8 - Beanstack Featured Librarian

Links

• The Reading Culture
• The Reading Culture Newsletter Signup
• Mac Barnett
• Mac Barnett: Instagram
• The Picture Book Proclamation
• Mac Barnett: Why a Good Book is a Secret Door
• Are Five-Year-Olds Better at Reading than Adults?
• "Writing for Five-Year-Olds" by Margaret Wise Brown
• Follow The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content)
• Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading culture
• Jordan Lloyd Bookey
  
  

Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey
Producers: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media
Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey