The current issue of another of my publications, Wiser Now Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiver Tips, recommends a variety of books about older adults that are fun for people of all ages and abilities to read. That brings to mind the delightful books by Fred Gwynne, including A Chocolate Moose for Dinner, one of several he wrote and illustrated on how children misunderstand what adults say. (As an aside, I urge you to read up a bit on Fred Gwynne. Though best remembered as TV’s Herman Munster, he was a man of wide-ranging talents. Check out http://www.biography.com/search/article.do?id=9542215.) I have long felt that children’s books, in addition to being a delightful way to connect with children, provide a great way to connect with adults. First, when adults share children’s books, many of which are written with humor, they are often sharing laughs. If an excuse is needed, it can be to:
- learn what today’s children are reading
- choose a book or two for a grandchild’s birthday
- pick out books to donate to the local library or children’s daycare
Second, children’s books are often a light-hearted way to provide life lessons. (Indeed, that’s frequently their purpose for children, too.) In the case of Chocolate Moose, the lesson is how even when we think we are making ourselves clear, we need to check that people heard what we thought we said. The little girl in Fred Gwynne’s story imagines “a toast to Daddy” puts him in a toaster, lions “praying” on animals has them on their knees with paws together on zebras’ backs, and car pools are swimming pools for cars.
To order A Chocolate Moose for Dinner, click here.
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