Секретная дверь: Почему детские книги — это очень серьезно

by Mac Barnett, Мак Барнет

Что такое детская литература? Какой она должна или не должна быть? Обязана ли детская книга чему-то учить, отражать действительность, нравиться взрослым, говорить только на безопасные темы, иметь картинки и всегда хорошо заканчиваться? Серьезное и в то же время ироничное рассуждение о потенциале детской литературы, важности детских книг и уважении к своему читателю от Мака Барнета, одного из самых важных американских авторов для детей и подростков.

Genres: Nonfiction, Writing, Books About Books, Parenting, Adult, Childrens, Essays

98 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 5, 2026

About the author

Born to non-farmers in a California farming community, Mac Barnett now lives near San Francisco. He's on the board of directors of 826LA, a nonprofit writing center for students in Los Angeles, and he founded the Echo Park Time Travel Mart, a convenience store for time travelers.

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's too bad that the people who need to read this book never will, yet those who already know the importance of children's literature will read it. Not that we won't benefit from reading it, because we will, just would be nice if just once, someone would actually come to the realization it is important. Really enjoyed reading this and would recommend it!

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.

[Shelby Logan-Reese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow two things:
1. Mac Barnett’s worldview is brilliant
2. He is funny as hell.

This book will vindicate any children’s bookseller or librarian or really any adult who loves young reader books. It gets to the heart of why the books I recommend to children are the books I put in their hands. They’re the ones that aren’t beating them over the head with how to become good adults, they let them lead the experience, while having the time of their life immersed in it.

His overall point that children’s books aren’t a stepping stone to writing “real books” is how every children’s author should approach their work. Kids deserve good books always. And adults should read more good kids books.

And learn a thing or two from kids books.

Quick wonderful read 🤍

A B&N and Edelweiss provided ARC.

[Manybooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only became aware of Mac Barnett's May 2026 essay compilation Make Believe: On Telling Stories to Children due to the recent controversy and where Barnett (especially regarding his role and in his capacity as the national ambassador for young people’s literature in the USA) is coming under increasing both official and unofficial fire for some of the remarks he makes in Make Believe: On Telling Stories to Children and in particular for a line in which he seems to declare and to claim that the vast majority of children’s books are so-called crud, are basically pretty much useless, badly written, worthless etc. (basically stating that more than ninety-four percent of children's books supposedly are the latter).

And after having now thoroughly perused and analysed Make Believe: On Telling Stories to Children, having both enjoyed as well as generally speaking being in intellectual agreement with the vast majority of Mac Barnett's included essays, with his musings and attitudes about children's literature in and of itself (that Make Believe: On Telling Stories to Children is both nicely readable and also contains a lot of intellectual as well as literary merit), I equally and indeed most definitely am kind of shaking my head more than a bit (not so much at the controversy itself regarding Make Believe: On Telling Stories to Children but more that Barnett did not manage to consider before publishing Make Believe: On Telling Stories to Children how he making use of a "charged" word like crud regarding much of children's literature would or at least could cause uproars and especially in today's USA with its book banning happy tendencies in far too many states, and that even federally, King Donald the Orange obviously wants to pass bills to ban and censor especially children's books throughout the USA unilaterally and this even in and for those states where book banning is totally and utterly frowned upon).

For albeit I definitely do tend to think that Mac Barnett is probably being rather tongue in cheek regarding his "crud" reference in Make Believe: On Telling Stories to Children (since the author from whom he gleaned this statement, since science fiction author Theodore Sturgeon in the 1950s claimed that ninety percent of science fiction is crappy, because according to him, pretty much everything is that way), well, there are two quite problematic potential issues which cannot and also should not be ignored (neither by the public nor indeed equally so by Barnett himself). For one, Mac Barnett's tone in Make Believe: On Telling Stories to Children regarding the quality of children's literature in general tends to be rather arrogant, is rather dismissive (or at least it sounds this way to and for me even if this might well not be Barnett's intention). And for two, Mac Barnett is in my not all that humble opinion being rather wilfully naive regarding the actual dangers this particular line of Make Believe: On Telling Stories to Children (regarding children's literature being crud) might in fact pose and might engender. Because yes and for me, when a famous and respected children's author such as Barnett (and one who is also inhabiting such an important government funded position) makes this type of universal claim (and indeed even if a bit tongue firmly in cheek), this could (and probably even would) easily be used as an "intellectual" tool and as a weapon by politicians, special interest groups, parents, librarians etc. to justify mass book banning and censorship, in particular to get rid of problematic and "controversial" topics/themes, authors etc. (and that this would of course also suddenly be deemed as totally fine and even something inherently necessary since MOST children's literature according to Mac Barnett is supposedly crappy and useless anyhow, and that it will also most likely not matter at all in this case that Barnett does not really mean this all that strongly and that his words are equally so being massively taken out of context).

Now I am glad that Mac Barnett has responded to the controversy regarding Make Believe: On Telling Stories to Children and has acknowledged that his wording, that he choosing to use the insulting moniker crud, and to label (even if not being all that serious) over ninety percent of children's books as being crud is and reads as weirdly snarky and potentially hurtful (but I also still do not really think that Barnet has any idea regarding just how potentially dangerous his little bit of pointed irony and sarcasm might well be for authors, publishers, librarians and also for children, for young readers themselves). Therefore, while I would generally be rating Make Believe: On Telling Stories to Children with solidly four stars, the controversy (and that Mac Barnett has albeit kind of playfully but also rather entitledly labelled over ninety percent of children's literature as lesser, as basically being cruddy), this does pretty much rub me the wrong proverbial way and also for this reason makes my rating for Make Believe: On Telling Stories to Children only three stars (and that I equally so think that this is pretty generous on my part as well).

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I libri per bambini hanno tanta dignità e importanza tanto quanto quelli per adulti.
I bambini sono persone, come gli adulti, e i libri creati per loro meritano la stessa qualità e dedizione dell' editoria per grandi.
Che bel libro, mi ha dato un nuovo punto di vista su questo tema.

[Allie Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Puts into words why I really enjoy working in children’s books!!

[Moonkiszt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every communication, regardless of form is a mighty act of persuasion. Storytelling, whether to children or adults is no different, and here is where the nugget of Mac Barnett's Make Believe lands.

Every story has an agenda - to teach, to inculcate, instill, ingrain concepts, ideas, fables with a moral, myths (same but at a distance) and cautionary tales full of ethical consequences. Barnett considers many of the 'stories for children' that are available (throughout the fairly recent time of written, published, available books) heavy-handed and disrespectful toward their ultimate audience. His tone leans toward contempt and impatience, with a near accusation of breach of truth-telling. When he hits that ball squarely out of the field, he begins with his real message: honor, respect, and an understanding of equality between the teller and hearer, with the story's foundation built upon the understanding that the true nature of children is they are no different than untainted adults - who were also children once upon a time. He reminds readers we all started in that very first unpersuaded perspective, the one without any other but the simplest agenda or POV - to fulfill the most basic of needs, among which are those of play, joy, and pleasure. That's where our purpose in storytelling the very young, very old, and very human should begin, says he.

Make Believe is a wonderful consideration of the most basic reasons to share stories we tell to each other - especially those told to the youngest and most open of us. Here is a plea to dispel doubt and consider the importance of how our stories are told by remembering our very own youngest, newest selves as we open our mouths, lift our pens and offer pages to those with whom we share life's space, time and experience.

*A sincere thank you to Mac Barnett, Little, Brown & Company, Hachette Audio, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* #MakeBelieve #NetGalley 26|52:41h

[Amy Dickinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This articulated so many of my thoughts about the importance of books for children, and it did so in a way that is both funny and well informed. This is a treasure and so many of the words he shares here validated me and empowered me in how I will relate to and read with children. Loved it so much.

Thanks to Hachette and Edelweiss for the ARC!

[Colton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think my original critique may have been a little influenced by all of the faceless voices shouting out into the void - something that faceless voices are becoming more and more comfortable doing.

I'll say this about what I thought of this book:
Mac Barnett is right (about some things). The essays are well-written critiques on why children's literature should be taken seriously and his theses are understandable. I think where he went wrong is in the sentences used to back up his theses. And I think, after looking through a lot of the social media discourse, that many people who have big opinions about the book and the author haven't actually READ the book but saw someone post a quote and based their entire opinion of both the work and the writer on that one sentence (a sentence that I think is heinous, by the way).

Another thing I think:
We have a literacy problem. And I'm not just saying that because I'm an elementary school teacher who had an entire class of kids who read well-below their grade level this year or because I see students in upper elementary struggling to read decodable texts written for first graders. But we, as adults, have a literacy problem. And social media is the gasoline constantly poured on that fire. We have to do better about forming solid opinions based on criticism of the work, not the weak and lazy modern day "art" of forming a shaky opinion off of 10 words from a ~100 page book.

A final thought:
Mac Barnett is a bit of a snob when it comes to his tastes in children's literature and what he believes to be the gold standard of a well-written children's book. His sentiments are just rewrapped versions of sentiments made by elitists and academics who desire to make the art of writing (no matter for what age group or within what genre) an exclusive club where the inclusion criteria markers are forever pushed out of reach for groups who already know decentering. His waxing poetic about a golden age of children's literature (the mid-twentieth century) is without the critique of the period in its entirety. This would have offered the reader a checkpoint for their understanding that, yes, Goodnight Moon was a children's book that has done well and it was written at a time when a lot of really great children's books were being written, but decentered groups were also decentered from the publishing sphere and weren't having their stories published. So his golden age wasn't golden for many people outside of those within the demographics he finds himself in.

He had the opportunity here to make many great points to adults who are interested in the argument surrounding taking children's literature seriously. He could have talked about book banning or the ever-declining literacy rate or the capitalistic takeover of the publishing realm, but he didn't. He didn't really ask a single question and I think that's the hallmark of a good leader. Ask more questions, Mr. Barnett. Be like the child with wonder and curiosity and exploration. For every statement you make, you should ask two questions. Be more curious than you are sure.

[Katy O. · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a longtime school librarian, I loved every word of this book. And the detailed analysis of Goodnight Moon? YES PLEASE!

[Pari · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Since the invention of the printing press, children's books have been a battleground between those who want to tell kids what to do and those who want to tell them stories.”

The children want to be entertained and to be treated with respect, they don’t want to be pandered to and have lessons shoved down their throats! They deserve to experience real art, to play, to be treated with dignity, and to arrive at meaning on their own terms:)

[Patrizia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un saggio che parla di libri per ragazzi (è giusto classificarli così?) dedicato agli adulti che hanno dimenticato com'è essere bambini. Personalmente, per professione e per passione, leggo molti libri per bambini e spesso sono molto più interessanti e coinvolgenti rispetto a quelli scritti per un pubblico adulto. Ho anche letto libri di autori conosciuti che hanno tentato di scrivere per i bimbi con risultati non sempre eccellenti (sottovalutano la "categoria"?? Può darsi).
I ragazzi danno molto e si aspettano altrettando. Ascoltano, pongono domande, fanno riflessioni, provano emozioni che, se ci soffermiamo ad ascoltarli, stupiscono e meravigliano: è un periodo della vita indimenticabile, da proteggere.
Dopo la Rundell anche Barnett cerca di far aprire gli occhi sulla letteratura dedicata all'infanzia e tenta con questo saggio di smuovere i pregiudizi e aprire le menti. Lettura consigliata.

[Mike S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mac Barnett writes really cool books for kids. Smart, funny, silly, and often paired with the illustrations of Jon Klassen. I saw this on the pre-pub list and got really excited. I'm sure I read a LOT more "picture books" than the typical 46-year-old dude who doesn't have kids of his own...it goes with my profession, but also? I absolutely LOVE a good, clever, silly, fun, whimsical, or beautifully-illustrated book for kids.

It takes all of a couple hours at most to read the three essays that constitute the chapters and bulk of the book. It's about kids books, but it's also about how we constantly underestimate kids' abilities and needs and wants. It's about how kids books don't need to have some high-minded concept or moral or educational component. It's about how so often kids are more observant than adults, don't have a lifetime of biases and pretensions, and can truly see and understand great art just as much as an adult or whoever thinks appreciating art takes "training." It's about how kids deserve great books and how we as a society kind of ghettoize writers who write for them.

I think this is an IMPORTANT little book for educators, for children's librarians, for administrators, for parents, for readers who love great books and think that kids deserve and have a right to cool shit just as much as "grown ups" do.

[Rachael Marsceau · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Mr. Barnett's brain and his books so much.

[Jordan Steyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

“when we read, we make believe” !!!

i think you should read this if you work around books, even if you don’t spend a lot of time with children’s books

[John Caleb Grenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, the criticism out there of this book is kind of embarrassingly unfounded? Even more than I expected. This book is timely, pertinent, and I’d say even 75-80% of the jokes land 😂. Packs a lot into a long-essay-length book, a strong manifesto of sorts for how we as adults should be invested in children’s literature, somehow, by not really even being all that preachy or didactic about it. He just presents information and speaks his mind, and I truly hate to see the adulthood-crushed whimsykillers out there trying to make anything wrong with this book. It’s lovely and important.

[Georgia Earley · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a former Children’s Librarian and former child, this book hit home. Children’s books are some of my favorite, and the role that they play in our lives cannot be ignored. I have read some truly horrible picture books and have read some that make an entire room of 3 year olds giggle. This book reminds us that writing, especially for children, is a special kind of magic. I have had the pleasure of enjoying such classics as Sam and Dave Dig a Hole and How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? by Mac Barnett and I can’t wait to read more of his work. This was a gem.

[Hernovelidea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book spoke to my librarian soul. Also "Every aunt thinks she is the cool aunt".

Update: In the first two days of publication this book has raised a lot of hackles. I reread and still stick by my 5 stars. I do agree Mac was a bit haughty but I also agree that most children's books are not good and everything we give to children to read does not have to be a lesson. Reading for the sake of reading is a joy and one we should give to children more often.

"Every day we make more children. Let us also make new children's books!"

[Lindsey (endless_tbr_list) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a new and burning need for every adult - all of them - to read this book. Witty, humorous, well-written, and chock-full of important information, this truly changed my way of viewing children’s books.

Despite absolutely devouring books these days, and even once being a child(!), I had, without realizing it, fallen into the dangerous and embarrassing belief that children’s literature is not real literature, and by default, as Barnett points out, that children are not real people. Adults simply cannot continue with this way of thinking, particularly when we alone are the ones deciding what gets published for the children of the world, and this book is a wonderful way to start combating those thoughts.

Whether you have kids or not, whether you regularly read to kids or not, please take the time to read this work. It’s charming and thoughtful and will remind you that the board books and early readers filling bookstores and bookshelves should not just be seen as tools, but rather as the doorways through which storytelling and the joy of reading enter our lives. Children are people and their books are just as real and as valuable as ours.

Thank you Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley for the digital ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[tabitha · Rating 4 out of 5]

brilliant as always. as an avid subscriber to barnett’s substack with jon klassen, looking at picture books, i was over the moon to learn this book was going to exist and it exceeded my expectations wonderfully. he has such a great way of seeing the complex, realized reality of children and children’s books that i really believe if anyone took the time to read this, they’d probably walk away a bit changed.

also, i wonder if the person who made the summary on the back knew they were quoting rachel sennott from bodies bodies bodies’ fake podcast.

[kate j · Rating 5 out of 5]

it is a shame that i am so deep in the internet that i know about the “mac barnett CANCELLED??!?” drama for the “94.7% of kids books are crud” quote. what i found underneath all that buzz, in make believe, is a book full of generosity and truth: what it means to write for and nurture the future. the unique and specific power stories hold to teach lessons irreducible to classroom wall slogans.

i read this to give to eli, who ive long thought probably shares some deep like… DNA tie? to mac barnett, because they write in very similar ways. i still believe this, maybe even stronger, after reading make believe, but i think the tie may reside in the media they grew up on: both sesame street, maurice sendak, the monster at the end of this book, and the gentle hands that taught them how to read.

[Cathy Cole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Do I like Mac Barnett's children's books - 100%
Am I upset about the 94% crud remark - no, I read it for what it's worth and agree a LOT of what you'll find at the big box book stores is crud. We read a lot of books, we buy a lot of books, I've noticed a big increase in what is available at our big box store and I've walked out often without purchasing anything.
Now, if I go to our small, local book store they are much better at bringing quality books into the hands of readers.
I still found this book to be very pretentious and somewhat off putting.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who has spent a large portion of my career selecting and reading aloud children’s books and also as a mother who continues to do so and also as a human being who has a fond affinity for “middle grade” works. Huzzah Mac Barnett. “May we always be unfinished.”

[Tamara York · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic collection of essays about children's literature, a subject near and dear to my heart. It is short (only 2 hours/112 pages) but full of insight, wisdom, and all-around good stuff. It was especially great on audio, read by the author.

[Shelbie Withers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kids are amazing. Kids books are amazing. I need to buy another bookshelf. 🤪📚

[yush · Rating 5 out of 5]

i think of my one year interning at a children’s publishing house very very fondly and the thought that any of the stories i got the chance to touch might stick with a child for the rest of their life makes me really emotional

[Laura Noi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Come prendere una boccata d’aria fresca.
Grazie, grazie, grazie per aver scritto questo libro.
Con giocosità e leggerezza Mac Barnett riesce ad arrivare al cuore della questione: i bambini sono persone degne di rispetto e hanno diritto a storie belle. E le storie più belle sono spesso quelle più buffe, assurde, irriverenti, divertenti, coinvolgenti e soprattutto non vogliono insegnarti un bel niente!!

[Emma Brand · Rating 4 out of 5]

My only controversial take on this book is that the jacket doesn't fit. What's up with that? It felt like holding a hot dog while the bun was breaking. Slippery and unsatisfying.

Otherwise, I appreciated a lot of Mac's takes. I like thinking about kids as readers and whole humans, rather than something to be "fixed" or "preached at". Kids like weird stuff and can sniff a moral from a mile away. They deserve a library as eccentric and unique as they are. There's not a secret ingredient for a perfect children's book. Children like different things, just like adults like different things. The only difference is that adults are in charge of buying and curating books for children, which is where Mac encourages us to do better. Imagine if a kid bought you a book about something that they think you need to work on? Kindness? Patience? Buying them more ice cream? You wouldn't read it either. A book is an opportunity to break down the chasm of power between children and adults. Sitting side by side reading is a chance to emote person to person, rather than big person to small person who must always listen to big person or else.

While I appreciated and related to a lot of this essay, I also understand why the children's literature community is upset about it. (I hate "kidlit" as a term. I feel like kids would too?) I also would have appreciated a new story to exemplify wonder, the line between fiction and reality. The one he wrote about was the same as the one he shared in his 2014 TedTalk. I would think SOMETHING in the last 12 years would have sparked a new example better than the melon story at summer camp.

I went to hear him speak at the Library of Congress on Thursday evening on a whim, and I felt his apology was genuine. I don't think he meant to offend authors and illustrators, or make anyone feel that their art isn't valuable. I wish more people would acknowledge other quotes from this book, rather than pulling the "crud" one, but I understand the frustration.

"Instead of slogans, we need a rich, polyphonic, daring literature full of new and distinct voices, presenting a variety of perspectives and experiences" (54).

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Succinct and entertaining, Make Believe reads more like an issue of the New Yorker or episode of This American Life than the book of literary criticism, which makes it ever more frustrating that so many people seem to have very strong feelings about it who can’t be bothered to spend 90 enjoyable minutes actually reading it. Here Barnett advocates for enjoyable reading for children in all its forms, from diverse voices, even for every child’s right to read some trash, just as we adults enjoy reading some trash, but with an emphasis on the fact that our eyes are opened to the potential of art as children and transcendent reading experiences from childhood follow and shape us.

[Mariga Temple-West · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know what world Mac Barnett is living in. He goes on and on and on about how he is one of the superior few who knows how to write properly for children. According to him our world is awash in literary pap and that adults are spiritually and intellectually dead. He says we need more diverse voices and points of view.

We already live in a time of unprecedented experimental creativity. "El Deafo" (about a kid growing up deaf), "Mexikid" (about a kid growing up Mexican American) "Ollie in Between" (exploring gender) just to name a few off the top of my head. Not to mention the marvelous series, "Jasper Rabbit's Creepy Tales" which are genuinely creepy with no happy endings (and really funny). It's like Mac Barnett has to place himself as some sort of children's Messiah of literature just to stand out.

You're not the only one, Mac, who is creating innovative, edgy kids literature. And adults aren't clueless, creatively dead people. Ever watch the cornucopia that is pouring out of Netflix, Hulu?

I was hoping "Make Believe" would be something like Murakami's wonderful "Novelist as a Vocation", I was hoping I would learn and be inspired and be underlining things. Ultimately this book was simply a bore.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this! I listened to the audiobook version and was barely halfway through when I ordered myself a physical copy because I knew I’d want to spend more time with it. Such a beautiful, thoughtful, and funny book about what makes great children’s books and why adults should put more effort and care into creating truly wonderful ones for kids.

There is SO much didactic stuff in children’s books these days. My son never gravitates towards books with a message, he just loves books about things he loves, like trains and trucks, or good stories that are fun to read. I sometimes get annoyed by really preachy kids’ books that are forcing a message on you, so I definitely agreed with Mac Barnett’s take on kids’ books needing to be more experimental, flexible, and weird and focus less on teaching children. Some of our favorites have no message at all! Like Atticus Catticus by Sarah Maizes, or Oh No, George! by Chris Haughton. They’re just really fun to read, and funny too!

I was frustrated and annoyed by the discourse that sprang up online this week surrounding his “94% crud” comment in the book. It seems like people took it VERY personally and are projecting their own issues onto it. When you read it in context he’s clearly 1) being funny and doesn’t mean it literally and 2) pushing the genre, and adults, to do better for kids who deserve stories that delight and move them. He’s not saying we don’t need diverse books or that only white dudes should be published. Plus there’s so much terrible AI-generated slop going into self-published children’s books now, it’s genuinely upsetting 😩

Anyways! This was a lovely, thought provoking book. Read it for yourself and see what you think. He definitely made me see Goodnight Moon differently. I may never look at a children’s book the same way again.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!