a warm welcome
a love letter to children's literature.
Yesterday I sat on a park bench opposite my neighborhood library. This particular branch is housed inside a children's museum—fittingly so—and is impossible to miss with its imposing size and shiny yellow exterior. I looked down at my lap, where three new library acquisitions balanced delicately, begging to be opened. I had no regrets about forgoing the dense, intellectual non-fiction books I had originally sought.
In a world that feels increasingly chaotic, I find myself turning to children's books more than ever. They are a refuge—a safe space guarded from the tumult of the outside world. They are a portal through which I can reconnect with my younger self, tapping into my most fundamental imaginative desires. They spark creativity and wonder, awakening our best instincts. These small but mighty treasures on our bookshelves are too often overlooked.
Simply put, I adore children's books. In periods of stress and relaxation alike, I spend hours on end eagerly scouring the internet for old editions of my childhood favorites. I feel an unmatched joy when discovering a new book, illustrator, or author that stirs those same feelings of comfort and nostalgia. While I'm not quite sure what shape this Substack will take, I'm excited to have a dedicated space to explore and share my latest discoveries and reflections. Thank you for being here with me.
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