Sometimes a company will implement an idea that makes me want to stand up, take notice, and perhaps dance a restrained ladylike gig. Such was my reaction to The Creative Company’s decision to produce small books of adult short stories. The kinds of things kids are assigned to read in school.
Thus far, I’ve seen four of the books in person. These include:
The Monkey’s Paw by W.W. Jacobs
The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant
The Garden Party by Katherine Mansfield
The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell
Each book contains the story itself with various sections written in different colored fonts. Then there is a series of thoughts on the story, and finally a biography of the author.
One might argue the logic of making such stories into their own books. I mean, are they illustrated? Not excessively, though there are small illustrations included at key moments. So what is the advantage? Well, to be frank, these are ideal for reluctant readers who have been assigned such stories in school but need just a small extra added push to give ‘em the impetus they need to follow through. The stories make slim volumes, and aren’t the least bit imposing. That said, you might worry that they look too much like picture books to lure in older readers. Yet the sophistication of the covers brings to mind remarkably slim coffee table books more than anything else.
Of course the covers are the initial lure. Artists employed include folks like Etienne Delessert, Roberto Innocenti, and Gary Kelly. Then you open the book up and a sentence or two is placed right on the first page to lure you in. These tend to be selected quotes from the books (ex: “Again, how curious, she seemed to be different from them all. To take scraps from their party. Would the poor woman really lik
I think I might be the readership for these books. I love me a good classic short story. And how much better if it looks like a whole book.
I agree–this is terrific. Especially when many short stories come to students Xeroxed from anthologies, or worse, in dusty old Great Literature textbooks (they’re more common than you think)–these look fresh and relevant, which is, as you pointed out, so important for reaching kids who hate reading. So glad you posted about this! I’m going to pass it on to the teachers I know.