Last week, the inimitable (if maddeningly argumentative) Cricket Muse and I debated The Worst Picture Book Ever.
My choice for worst PB honors was the creepy treacle of Robert Munsch’s Love You Forever. Cricket, on the other hand, argued on behalf of the stranger danger anarchy of Seuss’s The Cat In The Hat.
You can read our arguments here.
It was quite a war of words (with a lively comment thread), but after all was said and done, Cricket sort-of graciously admitted defeat. There was no love for Love You Forever; Munsch’s magnum opus is without question, the worst PB ever written and perhaps the worst thing ever to appear on earth.
So I’m glad that settled.
Oh, and one more thing:
WOO!
Please be aware that I’m not “woo”-ing because I’m ungracious in victory. I “woo” because I felt a deep and personal need to defend The Cat in the Hat from Cricket’s slander.
Even though I am no fan of cats in general (I’m terribly allergic and prefer the company of rodents), I have a special place in my heart for that particular feline. He and I have a history:
So, to reiterate:
WOO!
***
Now onto news business!
What children’s book-related topic should Cricket and I debate next?
Leave your suggestions in the comments. The crazier the better! We do so love to argue ridiculous things!
Hey, Look! A Writer Fellow! 
I don’t much care about the debates
but Dr. Seuss I can relate
a cat in a hat is fine
just be sure to dine
Might need a second draft, buddy. 😉
I could not even TALK when I read her choice was a beloved Dr. Suess! *stomps foot*……… but I’m okay now.
I knew I could count on your support, Boo.
I’m sorry. I was gone when this happened or you would have heard my outrage……*sniffle*
Whew—dodged that one (close call)😉
BTW, if you have any thoughts on any future Debatables topics…
Lemme ponder this….
Yes, please do so!
It’s got to be conception.
And I have the perfect book for you.
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/2152/where-willy-went-by-nicholas-allan/9780375983801/
Are you suggesting that Cricket and I should debate Birds and Bees books?
I suppose I am, yes.
Umm 😐
Yeah, I think we’re of the same mind on this one, Cricket. We can’t debate what we agree upon. So! Moving on!
Oh, sorry. I misunderstood. I thought you wanted silly examples of a topic. Where Willy Went made me laugh.
Nevermind!
No worries. But if you have Debatables topic ideas, let’s have ’em!
Hmm, I remember Mike agreeing with me about that hatted Cat being a contender for worst PB. *scampers off to locate email*
Oh, Cricket, don’t get me wrong. TCITH was never a favorite of mine as a kid. Not at ALL. (Yet, I liked “The Cat in the Hat Comes Back” quite a bit.) IN fact, I wrote a post about how TCITH is a terrible book for a latchkey kid.
That said, I like the book very much now. And most kids like the book, too.
“Love You Forever” on the other hand…
Ah—we should run a Debatable on the topics we loved/hated as a kid and love/hate as an adult.
You are a fan! I’m looking forward to the next debate.
Cricket and I have a corker of a debate coming up in September!
Oh good! Hopefully I can make myself pick a side on this one.
Yeah, show a little moxie, for God’s sake!
I know. I’m such an indecisive wimp! Lol.
One can change—at least for a little while.
Great art work, Mike. So, are you going to tell us about the mural you drew in your dining room? You know, the one with Brussel sprouts.
I’m not a great debater either (like Brad says, above). I hear two sides of the coin and toss them up to figure out which one is better. 🙂 Although finding fault with Dr. Seuss is kind of like finding fault with a children’s book god….
The Brussels sprout mural has been delayed indefinitely.
And, fiiine, you don’t like to take sides in a debate. But howzabout coming up with a debate *topic*…that you won’t take sides on? It’s only fair.
The Cat is at fault. Bad kitty.
Love your Cat memorabilia!
Although debates can be subjective, in the world of simplicity, you could debate on best picture book, or take two very well known prolific authors and debate their merits. Or an old classic vs new contender..stories that went on too long…or ended too short, best ending, worst ending…you get the point.
Ooh, there’s some good ideas here! Thanks, Mrs. P!
Polish up this diamond in the rough, Mike. I’ll be on standby for the next topic.
I loved Dr. Seuss as a child and as an adult reading them to my sons. My husband on the other hand would deliberately try to get out of reading Seuss and Berenstain Bears because there was a lot of reading. *RME*
Although I love him dearly, he does not love to read. That really should have come up early on in the relationship.
I have no children’s book topics for you though unless you want to debate pro and con Harry Potter. Or any fantasy series. Are fantasy series good for kids to read, helping them to dream and imagine, or are they bad, leading them to day dream when they should learn to be practical?
THe Berenstain Bears is too much reading? Oh, for shame!
Good debate. I sided with you, though! I’ve always had problems with Love You Forever!
I’ve always known you to be a wise woman, Patricia.
Hmm, more proof. “Not a fan of cats”, and wait—you defend him here, yet previously you threw him out (paraphrase of your title) in your other Cat in the Hat post. Yes, thank you, ref. That is a yellow card for Mr. Allegra. Penalty noted.
Mistaken identity. Do I know you?
Oh, my. Defensive denial. That, my friend, is just more win for Cricket. Do I hear some cheering in the home stands…