A new era begins

The seemingly endless elections are over and a new family — a young president with young children — is heading to the White House. (opens in a new window)

Like with most new beginnings, there’s palpable optimism. Hope is a word that I’m hearing — and feel myself — in conjunction with the future of the United States and its citizens.

Hope. It’s a short word with a big meaning. I know I personally like to spend time around people who see the glass as half full rather than half empty; they’re the people who tend to be positive, optimistic, hopeful.

So what does this have to do with a blog about books? Well, I am convinced that books offer readers of any age — especially children and young adults — hope in less obvious ways.

Books whether shared or read independently offer readers coping tools even before there’s the need to draw on them. Stories offer a glimpse into other ways of looking at things big and little. They provide vicarious experiences, information, other ways of seeing issues. They provide hope.

Long ago, Katherine Paterson suggested that the difference between books for young readers and adults was the presence of hope in books for young readers. (Sorry, Katherine, I don’t know where or when you said this, but it’s stayed with me!)

Hope is presented in books that make things work out or offered in a way that generates discussion.

A depth of meaning and feeling is presented through handsome photographs and rich text in Lauren Thompson’s Hope is an Open Heart (opens in a new window) (Scholastic) — much as Barbara Kerley does in her books that combine ideas presented in words and image, A Little Peace (opens in a new window) and You and Me Together (opens in a new window) (both National Geographic).

Hope. Let’s share it. Let’s live it. And let it be a real force in the lives of our kids.