But everyone can't abandon "The Little Prince" to less mature audiences. Available in both English and French versions, the book is a favorite among Harvard students. Dave A. Tortorella '00 keeps the thin volume in his dorm room, returning to the classic tale of life in a foreign universe whenever he pleases.
"I read it every once in a while," Tortorella said.
Harvard students not only rely on books brought from home for light study break entertainment. According to employees at several bookstores in the Square, many often stray from the textbook section, venture into children's books for purchases that demand less of their minds and their wallets.
Among Harvard Book Store's most popular children's books sold to college students are Chen's favorite, Silverstein's "The Giving Tree," Crockett Johnson's "Harold and the Curious George and the children's section ofThe Coop are also venues frequented by Harvardstudents. "Students come in to lounge around in thewinter," Coop employee Melanie S. Sharkley said.Sharkley called the children's section a "novelty"for students interested in more than just assignedreading. According to Sharkley, Dr. Seuss's "Oh, ThePlaces You'll Go" is a top choice--especially asthe campus calendar approaches spring commencementseason. While buying a favorite children's book as acommencement gift or reading children's booksduring a study break may provide low key readingfor some students, for others it's genuinehomework. Stephanie P. Grossman '98, a Psychology andWomen's Studies concentrator, has received collegecredit for reading children's books. Grossmanrecently read Maurice Sendak's "Where the WildThings Are" for a child development class paperconcerning the history of children's literature. "It's important that we look at what [booksare] out there and what's been successful in thepast to see how children develop," Grossman said. "Everything becomes a little simpler inchildren's books. It's a refreshing way to look atthe world," she said