Casual Friday: "Goosebumps" as Great Works of Literature
What qualities elevate a kid's book to Children's Literature? Can a Goosebumps novel be a children's classic? A case for the greatness of R.L. Stine's “The Haunted Mask” (1993).
Casual Friday: "The Metamorphosis" and Self-Isolation
How do the events of Kafka's classic story give us comfort in the time of Covid-19?
Casual Friday: Outbreak in "The Secret Garden"
A self-isolation themed video this week. The Secret Garden begins with a terrifying account of a pandemic allowed to spread in close quarters.
Casual Friday: Winning Reader interest with "Percy Jackson: the Lightning Thief"
The Lightning Thief brings readers in by pushing them away.
Casual Friday: "Peter Pan" and the Riddle of Childhood
It’s only in the 19th century, really, that childhood gets established as a period in life meant for fun, play, curiosity, fantasy and all the other things we associate with childhood.
Podcast Review: Obscure with Michael Ian Black
Only faithful listeners to Obscure with Michael Ian Black can listen to a classic read aloud and hear it accompanied with uniquely thoughtful and entertaining commentary.
"The Little Grumpy Cat That Wouldn't" is a Grumpy Cat You Won't Want to Put Down.
Joy, fun, and participation can sometimes become oppressive responsibilities, and therefore obstacles to happiness and identity formation.
The Real Monster at the End of This Book is Your Child
Ever wonder if your child is too obedient? Does she always respect the limits you set for her? Is she sympathetic to other children and supportive when they express their fears?
Well worry no longer, because Little Golden Books and Sesame Street have the story for you!
Alexander is a Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Kid
Man, that invisible castle thing? You got lazy and didn’t draw a picture, didn’t you, and now you’re upset ‘cause the teacher liked an actual picture better than your blank page? If you’re gonna be a jerk about drawing time, at least have the courage of your convictions to stand by your BS move and not act like you weren’t trying to be clever and lazy. And what have you got against sixteen, mister?