every time one of you nerds makes a lofty statement about not enjoying art that’s “for children” I think of this passage from C.S. Lewis’ An Experiment in Criticism
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This is why it's always funny to me when someone tries to dismiss Kamen Rider & Super Sentai as "kid's stuff". Just because something's aimed at kids doesn't mean it has no value for adults.
Got a review recently that panned my debut novel as being something children might enjoy. It's a middle grade fantasy and is very clearly positioned as such with the cover and description. 😂
I'm 59. I celebrate and nurture every bit of child-like wonder I find in myself, because I'm totally secure in my adulthood and don't need shibboleths to prove myself. And I'll bet most people reading this have similar experiences. The world needs fewer insecure scolds, more people just having fun.
More Lewis: "When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed if I had been found doing so. Now that I am fifty I read them openly. When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up."
Yup, and the only bit most people ever hear is the bit about putting things away, not that it's saying to put away your fears. I was hoping to find this here, thank you.
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I'm gonna stay child like then.
"Thank you for the complement on my book written for children!"
(not to say cartoons are only worth while if they tackle complex issues, just saying you’d be surprised what you come across when you’re open to it)