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Laurel Graeber grew up loving theater and museums. But he never thought he would be writing about them for The New York Times — or that he would for nearly three decades.
“I was an editor, but I always wanted to write,” said Ms. Graeber, who helped lead the Culture desk’s copy department for more than 10 years before retiring from full-time work in 2017. “And when freelance commissioning writing our kids’ weekend entertainment column opened, I said yes.”
He has written regularly about youth culture for nearly three decades, highlighting the best activities parents or caregivers can do with kids every weekend in New York City. She also writes features on new TV shows, movies, museum exhibits, and children’s podcasts.
“What I find most enjoyable are things for adults that are also good for children, but not necessarily geared toward them,” Ms. Graeber said in a recent interview.
Although her own two children are now adults, Ms. Graeber says she is still thrilled by the children’s rate of fun. She shared how she comes up with ideas and what she loves about children’s programming. Read the edited exchange below.
You’ve been covering the kids entertainment beat since 1997. What got you started?
One of the people I had freelanced with at the Times, Dulcie Leimbach, started the column. When she went on maternity leave, I filled in. When he decided he didn’t want to do it anymore, they offered it to me. It was originally called ‘For Children’ and then ‘Family Fare’. I did this for years and years, even after my own children were grown. Now it’s a look labeled “Kids” that appears online and in Friday’s print edition in a roundup of the best things to do in New York.
I used my own children as guinea pigs when they were young and took them to events and children’s shows. Although my children are grown now, I continued. I try to find new and different places for the children. I’m not tired of it.
Do you have a performing arts background?
I was one of two arts editors at The Yale Daily News and also acted in several undergraduate theater productions in college. I never thought I’d have a career on Broadway, but in high school and college, I was always trying to act in plays—when I wasn’t writing them.
What drew you to the beat in the first place?
I’m interested in companies and organizations that have tried to push the boundaries of what was considered acceptable for children. Children are often underestimated, and they shouldn’t be. Children can deal with many complex issues if these issues are dealt with in an appropriate manner. The idea that children should be shielded from some of life’s harsher realities is not fair to them. Not only will they face challenges as they grow up, but they will be the generation to help cure some of the world’s problems. No one wants to cause a child stress or anxiety, but it’s important to keep them informed about what’s going on in the world around them.
I love being able to star in things like the New York International Children’s Film Festival, which provides screenings for audiences up to 18 years old. Much of what they show was not created for children but was chosen because it would be interesting to children.
Where do you find story ideas?
I get a lot of emails, many of which include advice from people in the field. Sometimes I find things on my own. There are various organizations that I follow and I watch what many museums do for children.
Do you go to shows alone?
I go often with my daughter. Even though she is over 30 and has no children, she is still interested. It’s been a fun mother-daughter reunion.
Even though you are not the target audience, do you enjoy the job?
In general, very good children’s work is not something that only a child can enjoy. The best children’s entertainment works on two levels: It appeals to both adults and children. It has built-in jokes or references to make adults smile that a child won’t necessarily get.
How have you seen children’s programming change over the past three decades?
Efforts are being made across the board to be more inclusive, to have more productions and shows involving kids who aren’t necessarily affluent or white. Now we see projects that present the perspective of children who may have grown up in a different country or who may be immigrants. There is also a lot of work being done for children with disabilities or who may be on the autism spectrum.
You chatted with LeVar Burton about his new comedy mystery podcast and Lin-Manuel Miranda to star in an animated children’s travel show. Who is the coolest person you have interviewed?
Jane Goodall. She was the inspiration for a TV show I wrote about last year called “Jane,” which has a character who shares a first name with her and looks out for her. He also consulted on the show. I asked if I could talk to her, never thinking it would happen. But he had a small window for an interview, and it worked.
What’s the best thing you’ve seen recently for kids?
One of the best parent-friendly shows is “Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Underground Rock Experience”, which is a television special based on a book by Mo Willems. There is an animated show called “Curses!” on Apple TV+ that I wrote about recently, it’s an all-new horror for kids — it’s not violent or gut-wrenching, but it has an “Indiana Jones”-like feel to it. LeVar Burton’s new comedy mystery podcast, Sound Detectives, is also a lot of fun – adults will enjoy it.