Meghan, but not Meghan

I remember Fergie's books about Budgie the Helicopter. Our son enjoyed them far more than W Awdry.

suzie you’ve confirmed what I thought, that is that Prince Charles wrote a children’s book some years ago. And also didn’t Fergie write one? Apparently Russell Brand, Frank Lampard, Madonna, Paul McCartney, Barack Obama, and Ricky Gervais, have all written children’s books, along with a number of celebs I’ve never heard of
None of the books have stood the test of time as far as I can tell. They’ve all disappeared into book dustbin of history, or should I say recycling bin of history.

Anniebach

This thread is about a book which is covered by the press, the
BBC, Sky news .

Yes, thank you Annie that is why it is under the GN heading BOOKS.
Also there are several primary school teachers amongst us on GN who have ploughed through hundreds of books, both good and bad. I assume there are many mothers and grandparents on GN who have done bedtime reading too. The kids themselves are the discerning ones and has been said, the content of the Bench doesn't look like it would hold attention.

The Thomas books were dull but one of mine liked them because he liked things that weren't too challenging at bedtime. He was not the "all go" " action" or "excitable / emotional" boy at night that he was by day!
He also liked "Milly Molly Mandy"

This was a poem written by Meghan for Harry to celebrate his first Father's day.
Charming.
Then she publishes it and sells it, I don't think for charity.
Not charming.
Privacy?

You give a much publicised interview, there are going to be critics. You write a book, there are going to be critics.

"There have been many children's books (and books for grown ups) that only ever get published because o who the author is."
Something that M is clearly aware of which is why her book is by "Meghan The Duchess of Sussex".

The little bit I’ve seen comes across as gloomy. When we read to small children we play up the funny bits to make them laugh and feel happy, especially at bedtime.

I know you don't have to be Oxford educated as was Awdry to write children's books, but the dumming down of language, grammar and punctuation by jump on the bandwagon celebrity writers does not set the best example in my opinion.

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/may/04/meghans-first-book-for-children-explores-bond-between-father-and-son

I don’t suppose Saskia Sarginson is too pleased (author of a book called The Bench)

TerriBull what a relief to see someone spell David Walliams name correctly!

People who write children's books because they have status in another arena tend not to be the best. So many people think this genre is easy, especially the younger the age-group to whom they're aiming. In reality it take a lot of skill to actively engage children. Julia Donaldson has it in spades.

Suziewoozie will you ever just accept that something Meghan does can be justly criticised? I've not tracked down the excerpts mentioned so will make no judgement yet, but I refuse to sycophantically accept her as the next Mother Theresa.

eazybee

This was a poem written by Meghan for Harry to celebrate his first Father's day.
Charming.
Then she publishes it and sells it, I don't think for charity.
Not charming.
Privacy?

Is that a critique of the book? I thought that this thread was about critiquing a book?

Ah well, I guess threads wander.

A page and a half, it took....

A book whose author is estranged from her father but was inspired by her husband who is estranged from his father

Suziewoozie will you ever just accept that something Meghan does can be justly criticised? I've not tracked down the excerpts mentioned so will make no judgement yet, but I refuse to sycophantically accept her as the next Mother Theresa.

Rosie sigh, sigh, sigh, sigh

merlotgran

The little bit I’ve seen comes across as gloomy. When we read to small children we play up the funny bits to make them laugh and feel happy, especially at bedtime.

Yes, kind of wistful content, Merlotgran. I can't see what a young child is meant to gain from it. As eazybee explains, it is more of a parent's or even lover's adoration.

The illustrations were done by an award winning illustrator called Christian Robinson. I don’t think I know him. I’ll have a look at what else he’s done.

maddyone

suzie you’ve confirmed what I thought, that is that Prince Charles wrote a children’s book some years ago. And also didn’t Fergie write one? Apparently Russell Brand, Frank Lampard, Madonna, Paul McCartney, Barack Obama, and Ricky Gervais, have all written children’s books, along with a number of celebs I’ve never heard of
None of the books have stood the test of time as far as I can tell. They’ve all disappeared into book dustbin of history, or should I say recycling bin of history.

Exactly this. But only MM can be given a good kicking for her latest sin. ????

Ellianne

merlotgran

The little bit I’ve seen comes across as gloomy. When we read to small children we play up the funny bits to make them laugh and feel happy, especially at bedtime.

Yes, kind of wistful content, Merlotgran. I can't see what a young child is meant to gain from it. As eazybee explains, it is more of a parent's or even lover's adoration.

A really good children’s book can be enjoyed and appreciated at many levels . The very way it’s read, the way the illustrations are looked at togetherness and talked about.

A woman weeping at the window is something that would have to be explained to a small child. I suppose that’s where the author is coming from.

Heaven forbid a day should go by without a bit of introspection - Start ‘em young! ?

Apparently Christian Robinson was born in California, and had a difficult early life, with his mother spending most of his childhood in prison. He has won Caldecott Medal and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award. I don’t know these awards so maybe they’re American, but anyway ‘the boy done good.’

suziewoozie

maddyone

suzie you’ve confirmed what I thought, that is that Prince Charles wrote a children’s book some years ago. And also didn’t Fergie write one? Apparently Russell Brand, Frank Lampard, Madonna, Paul McCartney, Barack Obama, and Ricky Gervais, have all written children’s books, along with a number of celebs I’ve never heard of
None of the books have stood the test of time as far as I can tell. They’ve all disappeared into book dustbin of history, or should I say recycling bin of history.

Exactly this. But only MM can be given a good kicking for her latest sin. ????

Seriously? Really? A good kicking? Sigh, sigh, sigh. MM does get criticised very easily, some of it totally unjustified, but for goodness sake, some of it is justified.

merlotgran

A woman weeping at the window is something that would have to be explained to a small child. I suppose that’s where the author is coming from.

Heaven forbid a day should go by without a bit of introspection - Start ‘em young! ?

Why do you have to be so hyperbolic?

Illustrations in childretn's books add so much value. Their eyes literally scan the entire page for details. The Bench illustrator is pretty good for me.
But no one beats Quentin Blake.

Ellianne

Illustrations in childretn's books add so much value. Their eyes literally scan the entire page for details. The Bench illustrator is pretty good for me.
But no one beats Quentin Blake.

I think it depends on the book though doesn’t ? Is he the one who did Revolting Rhymes?

Quentin Blake was Roald Dahl's illustrator.

Must have been the dodgy prunes I had for breakfast, suziewoozie