Children's Books

Growing up we had our own unique form of children’s books. My father and grandfather would sit around and tell us stories, wild stories that would rival even the great Dr. Seuss. I remember one story that Papa use to tell us about Hogbears. A good friend of his named Dewey Shelton, an uneducated yet intellectual man who spoke of these creatures as they roamed freely along the banks and back woods of the Alapaha River. Hogbears were ferocious and Dewey told of one day fishing along the banks of the river one day and a Hogbear tried to attack him. A Hogbear had the body of a bear with the face of a hog with huge jagged teeth protruding from their mouth. Dewey said he fought the Hogbear as long as he could and finally outran the beast making it back home to tell us the story. I was always afraid that there really were these types of creatures lurking about near our farm until one day we heard a huge explosion coming from near the river. Apparently revenuers had discovered one of the largest moon shine operations in South Georgia, and it belonged to none other the Dewey Shelton. I guess this would have went well with the urban legends prompt yesterday, but I tend to be a day late and a dollar short any way.

Getting back on the subject of children’s books. I had an experience when I was running for public office last year. I thought that it would be good publicity and make for a great photo opp. To visit a local kindergarten class and read them a book and take a few pictures for the local newspaper. I arrived at the class and I was dressed with a white collared dress shirt and red tie in black slacks. I read my book then I offered the children an opportunity to ask me some questions. BIG MISTAKE. One child wanted to know if I was related to the Grinch, apparently I look like the guy. Another child said I looked like a busted can of biscuits. I absolutely disagreed. But what took the cake was a child in the back said, “My Daddy thinks you are a smart man.” “Really,” I replied. “Yes, he said you do not have the sense God gave our mule, and our mule is crazy, so you have to be smart.” I left the class that day will a new appreciation for children. Children will say and do the darndest things. Also if you want to know the truth, ask a child. I guess I rambled here, but I hope others have some great stories about children’s books!