**Interview with Sam Leith on His Captivating Exploration of Children’s Literature**
**Interviewer:** Sam, your recent book, *The Haunted Wood: a History of Childhood Reading*, reflects a nostalgic yet insightful examination of children’s literature. What motivated you to dive into this topic?
**Sam Leith:** Growing up, I had a deep love for books, and I’ve often found myself reminiscing about the vibrant stories that defined my childhood. I wanted to explore that blend of excitement and imagination that is so hard to recapture as an adult. It felt important to reflect on those early adventures while sharing them with my own children.
**Interviewer:** It seems your experiences as a parent significantly influenced your writing process. Can you unpack that a bit more?
**Sam Leith:** Definitely! Revisiting beloved books through the eyes of my children gave me a fresh perspective. It turned my exploration into something much more than just an academic exercise; it became a heartfelt journey linking my past with the present. I aimed to highlight my favorites—like the works of Edith Nesbit and the Arthurian stories from T.H. White—while also offering critiques. For instance, I have strong feelings about Willard Price’s adventure stories that I loved as a kid, but I also found some that didn’t resonate as much.
**Interviewer:** You delve into the complex lives of many famous children’s authors. Why do you think their personal struggles are essential to understanding their work?
**Sam Leith:** Many of these authors had difficult childhoods or faced immense challenges, and this often deeply influences their writing. Take Kenneth Grahame, who wrote *The Wind in the Willows*; he dealt with significant losses that shaped his narratives. To write authentically for children, I think it’s crucial to tap back into the essence of childhood, as Nesbit suggested. This sentiment is echoed by J.K. Rowling, who emphasizes that genuine empathy is key to connecting with young readers.
**Interviewer:** You talk about a “tug of war” between didacticism and delight in children’s literature. Could you elaborate on this idea?
**Sam Leith:** Of course! There’s a persistent tension between imparting moral lessons and simply providing enjoyment. For every poem that emphasizes hard work, like Isaac Watts’s “How doth the little busy bee,” there’s a playful counterpoint from Lewis Carroll. Even authors who lean heavily into moralistic messages often weave in elements of joy that bring their themes to life in engaging ways. It’s fascinating how the element of delight persists in literature, regardless of the writer’s original intentions.
**Interviewer:** In your research, you touch on the representation of diversity in children’s literature. How do you see the industry evolving in this area?
**Sam Leith:** It’s essential to understand the impact literature has on children. Malorie Blackman has pointed out how exclusion in literature can greatly affect young readers. Unfortunately, the stats show that children’s books still don’t adequately reflect their diverse audience. The 2018 survey showing that only one in 100 books featured a main character of color is pretty alarming. While I support the careful editing of older texts to eliminate harmful stereotypes, it’s just as important to create new stories that resonate with all young readers.
**Interviewer:** Considering your insights, what are your hopes for the future of children’s literature?
**Sam Leith:** I sincerely hope for a richer and more inclusive literary landscape where every child can see themselves in the stories they read. My journey through reading has renewed my list of books to explore, including treasured classics and undervalued gems like J. Meade Falkner’s *Moonfleet*. There’s a wealth of stories waiting to be rediscovered, and I’m excited for others to experience the joy they can bring.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Sam, for sharing your thoughts on such a captivating subject. Your enthusiasm for children’s literature is genuinely inspiring!
**Sam Leith:** Thank you! It’s been a joy discussing this vital part of our culture.
