The BabyLit Board books by Jennifer Adams are Gigi’s favorite books, and they are among my favorite gifts to give kids. There’s something truly wonderful about hearing Gigi talk about the Mad Hatter, Darcy, Romeo, and Governesses. She had Pride and Prejudice (my favorite), Alice in Wonderland, Romeo and Juliet, and Jane Eyre. The illustrations, by Alison Oliver, are whimsical, bold and bright, and she has loved them.
So, you can imagine my excitement to discover that Jennifer had written more wonderful books! She sent the new ones right over for Gigi to enjoy. The new books are Moby Dick, Sense and Sensibility, and Wuthering Heights! They contain fun quotes from the stories, help teach about opposites, and weather. Gigi hasn’t put them down for the past two weeks.
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PINPINI am so intrigued by these books, and just love them. I asked Jennifer a few questions…
Q: I absolutely love every classic novel you’ve adapted into these children’s books and it’s obvious you love them too. What inspired you to do this series?
A: I do love the classics! I first wrote a book called Remarkably Jane: Notable Quotations on Jane Austen. It’s a book about what famous writers had to say about Austen–those who love her and those who don’t. Then I wrote Y is for Yorick: A Slightly Irreverent ABC Book for Grown-ups, which is a playful take on Shakespeare’s plays and characters. Those two books spurred a discussion with my editor of what else we could do with Austen and Shakespeare, and classics for babies grew out of that.
Q. Are there plans for even more BabyLit Board Books? What other books do you dream about adapting?
Q. What does it feel like to know that little kids, like my daughter, know and ask for Pride and Prejudice, Alice in Wonderland, etc. at bed time, and that they’re sharing these well loved stories with their parents who love and enjoy them too?
A. I have to say that is my very favorite thing about authoring the BabyLit books. One mom wrote and said how happy it makes her to hear her little daughter say “Pemberley.” One of my best friend’s little girls just spent an elaborate amount of time telling me that Colonel Brandon is sad because his girlfriend won’t marry him. I love the fact that when these adorable little people grow up and it’s time to read the real classics, rather than being daunted or overwhelmed, they will turn to them as old friends.
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