But modern or not, the strongest voices in support of Cart's thesis are the voices of the writers themselves. He wisely assembles what they have to say, then lets them say it in their own words throughout the book. "Children are people," says Lofting. "They're just smaller and less experienced. They are not taken in by the smug playfulness of those who write down to them as if they were dull-witted and slightly deaf." The writers' voices are unanimous in their respect for the intelligence of children. And this is why, though they are underappreciated by adults, these writers have always been treasured by their smartest readers--kids.
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The Frog's Hurt but It Doesn't Look Fatal : A loving look at the Rodney Dangerfield of literature: wit and humor in children's books : WHAT'S SO FUNNY? By Michael Cart (HarperCollins: $25; 288 pp.)
August 20, 1995|Jon Scieszka | Jon Scieszka is the author of "The Stinky Cheese Man" and "The True Story of the Three Little Pigs."
In the final analysis, it's difficult to say if this dissection of humorous children's literature is a complete success. Within the self-imposed limits of what he set out to do, Cart has certainly managed to celebrate his idiosyncratic list of favorite funny writers. His list may or may not agree with yours. And you may or may not find the humor here. But to have even attempted this foray into humor and making people aware of its value is a valuable thing.
Who knows? It may even lead adults to imitate their wiser, smaller counterparts and take their humor a little more . . . seriously.
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