Letter #54: For the Love of Typography and Fonts
A Short Ode to Chika Chika Boom Boom
Dear reader,
While recently looking for classic children’s books as a gift at the bookstore, I found myself picking up and reading a staple from my childhood, Chika Chika Boom Boom. It had been ages since I’d looked at the book and I couldn’t tell you the last time I’d read the book until that moment in the bookstore.
But upon finishing flipping through the book, I realized one thing instantly: this was one of the first books I remember as a small child.
And I had a thought I’d never had before: Is this the book that sparked an interest in typography and fonts in me?
It sure wouldn’t surprise me, if so.
It took me a longer time to start enjoying reading when I was little, but I loved looking at different fonts and colors early on as a kid, even when I struggled with reading.
And Chika Chika Boom Boom is literally just learning the alphabet with pretty colors and a neat font that dances and sings with you. How cool is that?
Just a weird little note I thought about the other day!
Are there any stories you remember being impactful for you early on?
Happy reading,
Olivia
I’m dating myself, as usual, but Miss Suzy is my first favorite story. Miss Suzy lives in a small but tidy home she made for herself in a tree. When she is chased away by mean squirrels, she seeks refuge in the attic of a nearby house. In the attic, she finds an old doll house, along with toy soldiers no longer played with or cared for. Miss Suzy makes the doll house her new home, and she makes friends with the soldiers. She reads to them, and tells them about being chased from her tiny home. The soldiers scare away the squirrels, and Miss Suzy gets her home back. I always asked my mom to read the book again until I learned to read (something I struggled with until I got help in 3rd grade). I loved that she kept everything tidy and found unique furnishings for her little home (like acorn cups). And I remember wondering, on many occasions, what it would be like to live in a doll house. I still have my childhood copy and consider it a treasure. Thank you for letting me take a trip down memory lane.