In a series that should probably be re-named “Preaching to those who don’t need Converting,” let me share some more sobering statistics:
Average elementary school reading scores are decreasing and dropped to the lowest point since 2004.1
A mental health crisis among students contributes to disinterest in reading, which in turn feeds toxic health cycles2
Unit sales of books are decreasing overall3 (except juvenile animal books, which show a slight uptick, a trend I’m desperately hoping continues through Fall ‘24 and how’s that for a teaser)
On a more upbeat note, today is World Book Day. Any day is book day in my book, but I’m also here for anything that rings a celebratory note and promotes reading.
Whether you are a full-blown adult, an adult with a smallish child, or an adult who identifies as a child, go to a pocket-sized and narrow indie bookstore (if it even exists near you) or, if you’re more of a clicker, McSweeney’s, and check out “The Eyes & the Impossible.”
This book is the kind of book that makes you think storytelling is simple. It is not. This story is not simple. It reads as easily as ice cream sliding down a child’s tongue, but it will stay with you. You will consume it and ask yourself what hat trick was this? How did it unfold? You will laugh at the jokes and wonder at this world. It begins:
I see all in this park because I am the Eyes and have been entrusted with seeing and reporting all. Ask the turtles about me. Ask the squirrels. Don’t ask the ducks. The ducks know nothing…
This is the story of Johannes, a dog who makes his home in a large park that leans into the sea. Johannes is the Eyes, he reports all human movements in the park. He reports to the Bison, long jailed in their enclosure. His observations are through the lens of a dog, with misinterpretations, miscalculations, heroism, and startling insights.
Johannes is aware of the Equilibrium in nature. Animals are aware of this. Humans, unfortunately, are not. The Equilibrium is upset. Johannes becomes transfixed by strange ‘rectangles’ placed by humans. He becomes ignited by desire. But he doesn’t understand the nature of desire, and he is misled. (Sound familiar, human?)
The book calls itself “a timeless story for readers of all ages.” It won this year’s Newberry Award. It is a chapter book, not a picture book (though Sean Harris has provided several illustrations of the dog embedded in gorgeous classical landscape paintings by artists of another time). I was unsure how the Child would respond to a book this size. But a good story is a good story and the Child listened, enraptured. Magic happens whether we read or listen to a beautiful story, masterfully written. Just ask the turtles.
https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/
https://thehill.com/homenews/education/4093843-reading-for-fun-plunges-to-crisis-level-for-us-students/
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bookselling/article/92735-book-sales-continue-to-slow-down-in-first-half-of-2023.html