‘Make Believe’: Mac Barnett writes first book for adults, widens the aperture of what children’s books can be
Mac Barnett, the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, challenges the cultural devaluation of children's books in his debut adult work, *Make Believe*, arguing that children's literature is not a simplified or didactic form but a profound art worthy of deep critical engagement. He contends that kids are not just passive recipients of lessons but sophisticated, imaginative readers who thrive in the 'not knowing'—a state adults often fear. Barnett asserts that the true role of children's writers is not to teach, but to create stories that meet children as equals, fostering wonder and emotional truth. His controversial claim that 94.7% of children's books are 'crud' sparked backlash, but he later admitted it was a rhetorical misstep that contradicted his core message of expanding creative possibility. The episode reveals a deeper call: to elevate the entire ecosystem of children's book creation by valuing experimentation, emotional honesty, and artistic risk—without diminishing the work of those already contributing to the field.
Children are ideal readers of literary fiction because they naturally inhabit 'not knowing'—a state of openness that adults often avoid.
The best way to get kids to read is not to lecture them, but to give them books they want to read, not books adults think they should read.
Children's book creators should not be seen as teachers, but as artists who meet kids as equals in a shared imaginative space.
The 94.7% 'crud' statistic was a rhetorical misstep that contradicted the book’s core message of expanding, not excluding, creative possibilities in children’s literature.
Margaret Wise Brown’s essay 'Writing for Five-Year-Olds' reveals that the five-year-old is uniquely poised to appreciate poetry and imagination—skills many adults lose with age.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
The Power of a Simple Question
Lauren Korn opens the episode with a reflective tone, setting the stage for a deep conversation about children's literature and the role of storytelling.
Mac Barnett’s Role as National Ambassador
Barnett explains his role as National Ambassador for Young People's Literature—not as a cheerleader for reading, but as a bridge from children's books to the adult world, advocating for their artistic value.
Childhood and the Roots of Storytelling
Barnett shares his childhood experiences—reading, watching TV, playing with toys—and reveals how his mother’s funny, irreverent reading style shaped his love for humor and narrative.
Children as Equal Partners in Story
“When we see kids for who they really are, sometimes we're not just meeting as equals, but they better us when we read them a story.”
The Problem with Didacticism in Kids' Books
“It's presumptuous. It's a little rude. And I think we run that risk with didacticism in kids' books.”
“When we see kids for who they really are, sometimes we're not just meeting as equals, but they better us when we read them a story.”
“It doesn't have to teach. It doesn't have to have rabbits. It doesn't have to have bright colors. It certainly doesn't have to be experimental. It can be anything.”
“And I think we do have a bad habit as adults of blaming kids for our own failures.”
Host
Guest
Mac Barnett
person
Lauren Korn
person
Margaret Wise Brown
person
The Right Question
media
National Ambassador for Young People's Literature
other
Good Night Moon
book
Montana Public Radio
organization
Sturgeon's Law
other
Carson Ellis
person
Greater Montana Foundation
organization
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