why children's books are what we need now

Most people don't know this but when I first had the idea to open Black Bird, I envisioned a children's bookstore. In that year, 2017, the world felt it had tilted too far. A bookstore that housed hope felt necessary, and though we opened with many adult books too, the children's books were front and center to Black Bird's offering. Now, in 2025, it feels the world has splintered. In seeking refuge, I have found no better place than among our children's bookshelves to be reminded of the goodness and possibility in humanity. Just today I was thumbing through a new book to our shelves called The Watering Can by Julien Baer that left me feeling lighter after a single two-minute read. 

Children's books meld words and pictures into stories that delight and bring wonder through poetry, art, philosophy, nature, imagination and humor. In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak captivates my imagination as much now as it did when I first read it as a child. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown is a work of elevated consciousness, typically reached after the 55th reading of it. The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss is the story of life in 101 words. 

I could go on but this Friday's guests are much more eloquent, funny and entrenched on the topic. They have a must-read Substack newsletter called Looking at Picture Books which I encourage you to check out. I consider them to be two of the greatest children's book creators of our generation. Please do come listen to Jon Klassen and Mac Barnett talk about children's books at Black Bird this Friday night. 

In community,

Kathryn

P.S. This is not a book reading, so please leave the kids at home (you can bring them signed copies afterwards). This talk is for the grown-ups. We need it!

This is your sun.

It is coming up for you.

This is your tree.

It can go under the sun.

---Jon Klassen, The Island

BLACK BIRD IS OPEN DAILY 

cafe             7am - 6pm

bookstore    9am - 7pm