Mac Barnett: Why a good book is a secret door 

Amazing to see an adult who hasn't forgotten how to be a kid.

I have a major crush on this guy. Ever since I read Chloe and the Lion, I was hooked. Every book he's written makes me laugh so hard. I love how he speaks to the reader as an equal. Kids are smart. They don't need to be talked down to. It reminds me of when Arrested Development came out, and they assumed the audience was smart. They didn't put in laugh tracks to tell you when to laugh, they didn't stop and explain jokes, and it was a huge hit. Mac Barnett obviously understands how smart children are, and he writes to it. And luckily he's been a huge success, so I can look forward to each new book as it's published.

It is always wonderful to see a person whos eyes shines when he talks about his job. This kind of people are so dedicated, so inspired that they can't possibly fail. And this particular man is just amazing. I am not religious person, but people like him deserve to be called 'saint'. What he makes is bringing light and joy into this world, and this is precious. Long live, Mac Barnett.

This guy really captured my attention and now I wanna just go read and write

Glad to know I wasn't the only child who used to open wardrobe doors hoping they would reveal another place

This is wonderful! I didn't want it to end! When he talked about how Nico left voice messages for 4 years I kinda teared up. It's just so wonderful how Nico is emotionally attached and dedicated to Randolph

I absolutely adore the commitment the author invested in his books, giving kids that little something extra; a way in which they could learn to simultaneously believe the tale, whilst kinda still knowing deep down that it wasn't true. That combined with the creative and imaginative environments developed for the pseudo-stores that fronted the workshops and classes, was something I would have really loved as a small child. What better way to get kids on board with the process of creative writing and artistic expression, than a fully immersive experience that engages their imaginations from the moment they walk in the front door. I'm really not a big fan of kids, but this brief talk was just beautiful. I wish there were more people like this out there in the world, sparking young imaginations from an early age. Just brilliant!

"Dear People,..." the boy totally travelled within changing his life enormously, and for ever in a good way. Magical!👋👋😻

Very clever mind he has. He truly understands how it is to be a child. I wish I had a more child like world view

Now there's a great guy that truly loves what he does. Awesome.

This is one of the best TED Talks I have seen in a very long time. Thank you, Mac Barnett. You do fine, fine work, and you are making the world a brighter, more interesting place to be.

I've met Mac Barnett in real life! He's a really funny and charming guy, exciting to see him on TED. :)

existence itself is surreal - the mistakes that grownups make is that they become conditioned to think that the fragile artificial social construct IS a solid " reality"

I love this so much. Despite that I'm a little over the normal audience's age, I want to read his books!

Nico’s last message totally touched my heart and made me cry! My students and I take each other seriously-with absolute kid joy-and it’s the best gift! Thank you for this! ♥️

How endearing :D Enjoyed this one thoroughly, creative and touching.

I've never seen or heard of this guy before, but I instantly love him. I could listen to him all day. Hilarious.

0:23 Picasso quote 1:29 Riley 6:38 Pirate Supply Store 8:07 Time Travel Mart 11:54 Billy Twitters and His Blue Whale Problem

Amazing guy! He made my day and there is a lot of things that we can learn about people

Its so touching!I want that emotional connection that Randolph and Nico share...Sometimes a fantasy is just what i need to escape the strains of reality. Have to go and find a book now!!

Really enjoyed this talk. He's passionate, funny, and authentic. Keep up the good work man or shall I say, kid.

Underrated TED talk - love this one! Funny and insightful.

That was very funny! I enjoyed it immensely. My 4yo planted a skittle yesterday, a purple one, next to the roses. And then he came back and asked for water so I gave him a water bottle. I'm pretty sure he knows this little sweetie will not grow into a tree as we have a picture book about a chocolate biscuit tree that he adores and he kind of knows that you can't grow a biscuit tree. But yesterday he found a sweetie on the floor and he was not so keen to eat it, so I suggested he plants it in the garden, and so he was very excited to do it. Btw today he didn't check if we had a skittle tree already. That would be silly to even expect that, right? Everybody knows that you need to wait at least 2 days... or more. Just my little cute story. I guess, we writers are a bit nuts or sweets in this particular case.

Now i realize what steve jobs said "when you grow up you tend to think the world is as it is you got to work save a little money and have family life but thats not true after you realize one simple fact that the thing you call life you see around you was made up by people who were no smarter than you so you can change it influence it in whatever way you want"

I love the Venn diagram that depicts SCIENCE on the left, ART on the right, and the overlap is called WONDER. Love this!

超级赞！最后那个圣诞录音听得我好感动好感动！正如speaker说的，有时候我多想就这么钻到书里面去啊……TAT

Wow, hilarious comedy with such a thoughtful message. For the small gift of a moment I had passed through a door. Thank you so, so much!

As a very new writer (self-proclaimed) and an educator for 2nd graders, I've become inspired to really tap into my own childhood and keep my ear out for those truthful lies children believe. What a great talk!

He is like Quentin Coldwater in real life but full of happiness, I love it. It is so sweet!!! And inspiring as well...

beautiful

This is my favorite! I love him and his books♡♡♡♡

J’aime la citation de Pablo Picasso : « L'art est un mensonge qui nous fait saisir la vérité. » Vraiment intéressant cet attachement qu’on a envers les personnages de nos livres préférés. J’aime aussi ce principe ou la fiction s’intègre petite à petite dans notre monde réelle. Les livres changent réellement notre vie !

Notice how he had a mic in his hand and one on his ear too

Things being false but true, believing in lies even though you know they're lies. It's just like politicians!

Poor Niko, Randalph is never going to call back :(

Loved this talk!!!

This was a very good TED talk. I enjoyed watching it, but I also enjoyed just getting lost in his idea of fiction. I think his idea that fiction enhances real life is totally true. Most people think that having fiction in day to day life is for children, but I truly believe that everyone can benefit from having a young, child-like view when it comes to letting fiction escape into reality, instead of the opposite. It was a inspiring video and I liked how he told stories and used humor to illustrate his points -- just like his children's books are like.

This is now my most favourite ted talk now :0

Big respect from Saudi Arabia

probably the best Ted Talk ive seen

lol we watched this in class and we have to write a summary. our whole class cracked up

One of my favorite talks!

One of the most creative things ever, wonderful talk.

This was awesome. I work in a library and will share this with our staff.

So good. The letter that starts "Dear People..."

Possibly my favorite TED talk!

People like this make the world worth living in.

such a charasmatic and engaging speaker. wonderful!

wow this guy is hilarious! he is such an amazing person and i loved the ted talk!

One day, if I work at it, I might be half as good a public speaker as Mac Barnett is. I heard him on NPR this morning talking about his book "The Great Zapfino" and had to find out more about him. And yes! I know the 826 Valencia store in SF -- I used to live close by, on Liberty Street. (insert melancholic nostalgia here)

This was both funny and inspiring! Loved it!

Your really funny..and I enjoyed your presentation.

I really like this guy

one of the best things I've listened to

i can't believe i cried when hearing Nico's voice mails to the blue whale...

I like this talk. It's funny and teaches a good meaning.

You're awesome, Mac Barnett.

This just made my day!!

This talk is absolutely nice !

What a wonderful talk. I loved this, so much.

Этот парень - невероятный!!!

My favorite TED Talk.

Aww this was a Cute talk with a Cute message

Loved it, good work Mac Barnett keep it up

I am planning to write a how to book very soon ^_^

I like this guy, He's a born stand-up comic! Great story teller.

That was the best Ted Talk I have ever experienced. Awesome!

Fantastic, thank you, Mac.

This video deserves more views..❤❤

How much fun is that!

I want to visit those two stores in SF and LA if you are still there :)

Nice talk dude

How do you watch this and not cry

Thank You Mac Barnett :)

A wonderful Ted talk but I have to say...Nico's voice as a kid sounds cute ^3^

Thoroughly enjoyed this :)

And i thought learning to draw venn diagrams during math lessons was a waste of time....

Excellent talk!

This is gold!

BRAVO!!

I have to do this for Speech and I love it, but my emotion can't get through it. I hate how I can't do it.

I'm nit lying right now. I saw mac at school today in a assembly for authors. He does terrible twos and he pranked his one friend by putting Cheetos in his office for payback!

I loves this

I'm not sure if I get it, but it was very entertaining nonetheless. I admire the effort he put into creating the things he talked about.

he has two mics... i just noticed that lmao

Dory should watch this :3

This is a hoot and extraordinary mind!

mac your coming to my school next Friday!!!!!! YYYYYEEEEE HHHHEHEEEHEHEHEHHE

Adorable. Sadly, someday his parents are probably going to have a "Santa Talk" about a whale named Randolph...

His speech pattern really reminds me of Mitch Hedberg.

Love this!

Schadenfreude ( 10:03 ) .... do you use it in english?

Wow this was a fantastic video

Good to see David Spade do a TED TALK (LOL)

This was very entertaining!

Funny and I get it! I can relate in a way. I read I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS and I watched the movie when I was young. I was filled with shock, disappointment and disgusts when I found myself face to face with the actor who played Dr. Angelou's rapist. I was an adult out on my lunch break in Georgetown. Her story drew me in.

Totally reminds me of Mitch Hedberg

Excellent💯👍

Hi

There's a good book out called, "On My Way to Hollywood." It literally gets into your conscience to make you a better person. No lie! It's entertaining yet it will shape your child or ANYONE into a better, wiser person. WHO KNEW???