60-day returns • free shipping on USA orders $129+
Excellent article on "safe reading"
- This topic has 20 replies, 12 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 6 months ago by
.
- Posts
My dear friend and fellow library owner, Liz, and I are often discussing this topic. This week she has wonderful article regarding ” safe reading” for children. Something to ponder…
http://www.charlottemasoninstitute.org/the-danger-of-safe-reading-by-liz-cottrill/
That was excellent. When ever I hear people wanting to ban books to “protect” kids, I always think of The Music Man
Great article! This issue came up a few times on the FIAR boards…a few of their books are incredibly sad and a couple deal with slavery. Some of the moms felt they weren’t the most appropriate books for those age groups. I think sometimes children handle these issues better that adults since we have more personal experience of sadness and loss. However, there are very few people who go through life without being near death or loss, so it is a very important part of their education.
Kayla, I didn’t know the Music Man was so controversial!
C.S. Lewis said it was deceptive to give children only sugar-coated books where everything is nice and pleasant because it paints a picture of a world that doesn’t exist. I had one mom in my library who didn’t want to read The Rag Coat to her child because the father died. I asked, “So…no one dies in your world?” One mom didn’t want to read books by Lois Lenski because most of the people were poor and she was afraid it would depress her daughter. How will our children ever be equipped to face any challenge that WILL eventually happen if we do not let them live these things through books?
Nice article. I find that I am more concerned about inappropriate sexual references than other content in books. That’s a big concern of mine, esp in light of some of the “recommended reading” books listed as part of Common Core.
What about The Music Man? Please explain further.
I have the same concerns as Jawgee. My ds9 was reading a Dear America because he loves history. I thought it would be okay, but he came to me and said a 13 yo girl was kissing a 16 yo boy. What is the point of including that? He was grossed out by it. That one is going. My other concern is disrespectful talking and arguing from children and by siblings in stories.
I think that would be much more of an issue with more modern books. (C.S. Lewis recommended reading older books as well, btw.) 🙂 Of course, just because a book is old doesn’t make it good, but by and large, newer books sport more modern attitudes that are seen as acceptable. And please understand, I’m not taking about throwing our children to the lions or giving them burdens too heavy for them to bear. Only we as the parents of our own children can say when a child is ready for some things, Liz and I just notice an alarming trend in our libraries of protecting children from every single nuance of anything at all that may be difficult. Living books are a beautiful way to rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn.
The problem with Dear Americas are that they are not literary quality, they don’t have that underlying quality of truth and beauty and a positive way to deal with an issue. Same reason I might not give a child a news article dealing with an attack on a young girl—but I also love A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, despite the fact that it has an attack, drunkenness, and other major issues. The quality of a living book is what makes the issue a benefit, a gentle way to deal with or experience something, and not just immersing a child in a problematic issues.
Bookworm, you are so right on the mark! Francine Rivers’ Redeeming Love is an adult example. It has some very hard issues! However, this book did so much for me personally by helping me come to terms with events in my childhood. The power of that story transformed the way I see myself forever. Literary books, living books are powerful tools to help us shape ourselves and our children.
ETA – I have a copy of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn ordered and on the way from amazon. Thanks for mentioning it.
Wings2fly in The Music Man they are all concerned about the type of books the librarian wants the kids reading. Classics and such.
A tree grows in Brooklyn is so good! And Redeeming love! Oh I love books!
Great article. It really touches on something that I’ve had my mind on lately. I’ve been looking for books that introduce Remembrance Day to very young children. I’d love to find something that is gentle, yet still portrays some of the gravity of why we must not forget and be so thankful. Any suggestions?
Rachel
Rachel – I found these lists, maybe one will be helpful –
http://www.bookcentre.ca/files/WWI%20Book%20List_rev2012_2.pdf
http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/14296.Best_Remembrance_Day_Books_for_Kids
Excellent article. I appreciate Liz’s thoughts every time I read them.
I try to help people see the value of seeing/having experiences through books. I have a friend who insisted that her homeschooled kids would read no fiction – she felt like it was a waste of time. One time I casually mentioned that she needed to let her children experience real fiction and recommended she let her oldest daughter read Anne of Green Gables. She didn’t respond much to me and I forgot the conversation. A few months later she thanked me for it. She said her daughter read about Matthew’s death and after thinking about it, discussed it with my friend, including her personal thoughts of hoping that she could handle the challenges in her life like Anne had. It was a real eye opener for my friend. And fun for me since I had completely forgetten the entire conversation. =)
I have learned so much about life through books!
- The topic ‘Excellent article on "safe reading"’ is closed to new replies.