The Important Thing About Margaret Wise Brown

The Important Thing About Margaret Wise Brown

book

2019, Children's Books, Arts, Music & Photography

WISE
78%

WISE Score

4.3

Amazon

A gorgeously experimental biography of the Goodnight Moon author—for kids who love books about books.

Amazon4.3
Common Sense Media

Where to Read

Amazon
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble
Libby
Libby

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Screenwise Verdict

Here's the thing: this is a beautiful, thoughtful, well-crafted book that will absolutely delight a specific audience—book-loving families, librarians, educators, and kids who geek out over literary history. Mac Barnett's experimental approach is clever, and the illustrations are genuinely gorgeous.

But let's be real: most 5-year-olds picking this up expecting a fun story are going to be confused. It's a biography that plays with form in sophisticated ways, and while that's intellectually impressive, it's not universally engaging. This is niche. If your kid asks 'Who wrote Goodnight Moon?' constantly and wants to know everything about how books are made, grab this immediately. If they just want a good story, there are better picks.

The WISE scores are high because it's well-executed, safe, and genuinely imaginative. But the overall score reflects that this is more of a 'book about books' for people who are already in love with books—a narrower appeal than a typical picture book.

Age Fit

Best for ages 5-10, particularly kids who already love Margaret Wise Brown's classics and are curious about where books come from. Adults who grew up with Goodnight Moon will appreciate this more than most kids will.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
88

A respectful, thoughtful biography that celebrates a beloved children's author without sensationalism. The tone is warm and appropriate, modeling appreciation for creativity and literary legacy. No concerning content.

Imaginative
92

Mac Barnett 'artfully plays with form and language' in a meta-biography that mirrors Margaret Wise Brown's own experimental style. The structure itself is creative, using the format of Brown's 'The Important Book' to tell her story. Sarah Jacoby's illustrations are described as 'sumptuous.' This is a book about imagination that uses imagination in its very construction.

Safe
98

Picture book biography with no content warnings. Completely appropriate for all ages. No violence, mature themes, or concerning elements. Safe for independent reading or read-alouds.

Enriching
85

Introduces young readers to literary biography and the concept that books have creators with interesting lives. Teaches about Margaret Wise Brown's legacy and influence on children's literature. However, this is more of a niche interest—enriching for book-loving families but not universally engaging for all kids.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • Clever meta-structure that mirrors Margaret Wise Brown's own 'The Important Book' format—kids get to see how form can tell a story
  • Beautiful, sumptuous illustrations by Sarah Jacoby that elevate this beyond typical biography fare
  • Introduces the concept that beloved books have creators with fascinating lives, which can deepen appreciation for reading
  • Mac Barnett is a master of playful, thoughtful children's literature—this is 'essential reading for book lovers of every age'
  • Short and accessible at 42 pages, but packs genuine insight into Brown's creative process and legacy
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What to Watch For

  • This is insider baseball—kids who don't know or care about Goodnight Moon may find this boring
  • The experimental format is praised by reviewers but could confuse younger readers expecting a straightforward story
  • Best as a read-aloud with discussion rather than independent reading for early readers
  • It's a book for people who really, really love books—not a universal crowd-pleaser

Conversation Starters

  • "Have you ever thought about who writes the books we read? What do you think their lives are like?"
  • "Margaret Wise Brown wrote Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny—which one do you like better and why?"
  • "This book is written in a special style that copies one of Margaret's own books. Can you figure out which one?"
  • "What would you want people to know about you if someone wrote a book about your life?"

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