Lately I've been reading children's books. Besides all the Oz books that come my way, I found Hugh Lofting's Doctor Dolittle on the Moon. As a child I wanted to read the book but my library didn't have it. And yes, I enjoyed it. And no, I'm not saying how long I've waited to read to the book.

Why read children's books?

Besides being fast, fun reads, children's books remind writers what clear, streamlined writing is and sweeps away the clutter of convoluted sentences and overcomplicated plots. Secondly books from twenty, fifty, ninety years are more than nostalgic jaunts, they are insights into the society and time of the author. Lastly juvenile nonfiction is a quick and painless way to get an overview of a topic. So pick up Alice in Wonderland, settle in with Lemony Snicket or build a cathedral with David Macaulay. Being an adult doesn't mean you can't have fun or that you have to do research the hard way.