Choosing Good Children's Books: An Encounter in ALDI

I had a depressing experience on Saturday. I had gone to ALDI to buy some sugar cane mulch that I needed for the garden. Unfortunately, the bags were small and hence expensive. But...! On a middle aisle display table I found treasure! Hidden amongst a pile of literary dross and assorted colouring and painting books, I found a series of children's picture books by a number of excellent English authors and illustrators, including:

Tony Ross - Michael Foreman - Ruth Brown - Emma Chichester Clark - David McKee - Lindsay Camp - Sandy Nightingale - Jeanne Willis - Hiawyn Oram - Frederic Joos - Susan Varley - Mary Rees - Ella Burfoot - Ken Brown



Now here's the depressing part. I stood at the box reading them one by one (must have been there for 20 minutes). On a busy wet Saturday morning there were people everywhere. There were grandmothers, young mothers, some with children and one with a pram, and there were kids on the prowl. And yet, not one person picked up one of the books. While many came to the box and rummaged through the pile, all zoomed in on colouring in books, paint with water books and various picture books from television series. The children didn't even pick one up. I even tried spreading out some interesting titles just within reach of some of the children - but they wouldn't take the bate. Several mothers picked up a 'Playschool' book (based on an Australian Children's show) but no one touched one of the books in the literature series.

I could stand it no longer. A young mum with a stroller and a 6 year old was looking at some of the books. I said pointing tentatively, "I'd look at these instead". "Really", she replied. "Oh you've got so many. Are they good?"  "Yes", I replied a little embarrassed. "They're all good. Many are by well-known authors." "I don't recognize any of the names", said the Mum. "That's because they are English", I replied. "Trust me, I know children's books, they're good, and they're only $2.99, and no, I'm not getting a commission." She began to look and her son piped up, "I just want a Playschool book, don't get me any other books." I walked away, defeated.

There were many wonderful titles. Some of my favourites were:

'Cat on the Hill' by Michael Foreman
'Why' by Lindsay Camp & illustrated by Tony Ross
'Throwaway Bear' by Sandy Nightingale
'I Want a Cat' by Tony Ross
'Can't Catch Me' by Michael Foreman
'Our Puppy's Holiday' by Ruth Brown

Well-known author/illustrator Michael Foreman

All the books were of various ages, but had been re-published in new 2010 or 2011 editions by Hinkler Books Pty Ltd. They are on sale across Australia for $2.99 each!! Hinkler have branded them as 'Silver Tales'. They are hardcover (more like board) saddle stitched and look very durable. They are on quality paper and well printed. What a bargain! I suspect if I go back in three weeks time there will be many left and there won't be a 'Play School' book in sight.

I've used a variety of links on the titles above to show that the books are widely available in varied forms. Note that at some places they are 4-5 times more expensive than the ALDI deal I found in Australia. I even found some people selling these books on eBay with a 'Buy it Now' price of $9.95. If you don't find them at ALDI the next best prices for the same books would seem to be 'Learning Discovery' in Australia (all their books are $5.95 and postage is free in Australia), Amazon in the UK (titles are 2.50 in UK pounds) and the USA (some titles from $4.50US). 

The experience in the store suggested a few things to me:

• Children need help choosing books to read and enjoy (see my previous post on this here). 
• We need to give a priority to reading books to children. I suspect that none of the parents I witnessed this morning were readers of many books to their children. Drawing, sticker books and paint with water books are fun and have a place, but don't offer the joy of a pile of good books read with and to children (see previous post on this here).
• We have a very limited view of what a good children's book is. There are thousands of books and authors that go unnoticed because the books haven't won the latest Schools and libraries still need to be the champions of books. 
• Parents need help to find books and to be able to judge a good book. Teachers have a great responsibility here.
• Cheap books are still available if you look hard enough.

Anyway, I enjoyed reading the titles I bought on Saturday afternoon with my grandchildren.