Dear Ciaran & Callum,

When considering what children's book to read I never follow the views of adults; an adult is simply a stupid over-sized child. But I read your reviews with pleasure - and I trust them.

Did you know that the 'The Hobbit' was accepted by its first publisher on the advice of a ten year old boy called Rayner Unwin? That book went on to sell millions of copies and its author went on to write 'Lord of the Rings'. Rayner might have been small but his views had big consequences.

Kids rule, OK?

Thank you.

Ooo. I love viewing evidence of adults grovelling or sucking up to kids- it's sooo against nature it delights my perverse heart.

Tolkien had run the story by his own kids and knew he had a goer - he would have persisted in getting it published reguardless of young Rayner.

Kids dont rule (which given my perception of them is somewhat akin to Golding's (in "Lord of the Flies")) is probably just as well-

kia ora hellooo! waving to family kids, You know what I mean eh?

It's an honour to have my tastelessness matched by a writer of your authority.

Actually, hobbits aside, it's great for people who write for young readers to see what kids think about our work, because they pick up on entirely different things to adult readers. The more the merrier (you can remind me I said that, when the terible reviews roll in).
I'm often surprised by what different kids think is important, the characters they like, and their ideas on the plot.
We get a lot of feedback visiting schools and libraries, but I'm pleased you asked young readers to review books written for them - and needless to say I greatly appeciate Callum's kind review.
Cheers.

Kelly - yay indeed, children have wonderful insights as to what they like in, and why they like, a book, but oleaginous David Howard-type comments are - pretty strange.
Because I really enjoy kids' books, I get referals from younger family members (latest 'The Three Fishing Brothers Grim') but I also rely on knowledgable adult reviewers (Kate de Goldi instantly springs to mind - she put me on to the Mennyms
and Mantlemass series, among other titles.)

Absolutely, Islander - while it's great to see kids' views, there's nothing wrong with a bracing spot of intellectual rigour from those who know what's what.
Can of worms, but an interesting one. Over at Misrule, Judith Ridge has been blogging on a related issue today (see www.misrule.com.au/s9y/ if anyone's keen):
"perhaps it's that children's book reviewers are, as we are so often accused of, soft on our own, and lacking in rigour in our critical discourse. I do believe there's some truth in that—most reviews are written, after all, as de facto buying guides for parents, librarians, teachers, and so they focus on content rather than literary merit. On the other hand, the mainstream review pages generally offer few opportunities for the reviewing of children's books (that old song), and thus, I imagine, most reviewers prefer to accentuate the positive. "

Islander, the Fishing Brothers Gruff?

I gave this brilliant book the once over a while ago here:
http://www.leafsalon.co.nz/archives/000973three_reviews_ii_for_the_kids.html

I'm not sure if this is of interest to leafsalon members but there is an apostrophe being sold on Trade me.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Antiques-collectables/Museum-pieces-artifacts/auction-66270778.htm

Thanks Mary Mac - yep, 'Three Fishing Brothers Gruff'. And thanks Kathy - the review's a goody.
Now waiting patiently for my copy to arrive-