The Wonder Book?

Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • September 7, 2012 at 4:03 pm
    AngieG
    Participant

    Anyone else think these mythological tales are creepy?  Read our first installment out of the Wonder Book yesterday- The Grogan’s (Medusa).  I cannot imagine reading it to young children.  Mine are 11, and we thought it was a bit graphic (the “thump” of the head of medusa hitting the ground woke up the other Grogan’s).  We were, however, drawn into the story due to the literary excellence of the author.  Wonderful use of language to draw a mental picture.  I’m just not sure how much I want to fill my kids’ heads with nonsense.

    September 7, 2012 at 4:15 pm
    Bookworm
    Participant

    Well, Hawthorne’s adaptations are about the best out there–least icky.  I know what you mean.  However, there is a whole world of literature filled with allusions that will pass your kids by if they don’t have at least a nodding acquaintance with the basics of the stories.  It may be nonsense, but it’s nonsense that has affected countless writers over the centuries–and for a reason.  I always challenge my kids–what can we LEARN from this?  All these stories–there is a point to them.  They aren’t obvious, like with an Aesop–but there is something to learn, something that says something about the human condition of those who made up these stories.  It is better left to older, deeper thinkers IMO, but there is value in there.  You just have to work past a bunch of snakes to get to it.  <vbg>

    September 7, 2012 at 4:27 pm
    AngieG
    Participant

    I see the balance in what you’re saying.  And I correct my original post, it should read “Gorgon’s”. 😉

    September 7, 2012 at 4:47 pm
    Bookworm
    Participant

    I knew what you meant.  It’s the computer keyboards.  They sabotage us.  Laughing

    Anyway.  Just think what the stories were like before Hawthorne sanitized them.  🙂  IF you want to wait a bit, it’s be OK.  You’re the best judge of the right time to dip into these waters with your particular kids.

    September 7, 2012 at 10:43 pm
    Tecrz1
    Participant

    I decided to hold off on The Wonder Book a few years for my younger set. I thought it was too much for them. However, I am sort of noticing that my children do not respond to stories the same if they are myth or fairy tale rather than real life. We can read some fantastic and violent story and they don’t even blink, but they will cry over the book Rascal when he lets his pet raccoon go because it is REAL. We also censor history books – we have had weeping sessions over fallen heroes but they never seem sad over fairy tale deaths.

    Tara

    September 7, 2012 at 10:52 pm
    AngieG
    Participant

    Tecrz1, yes you’re right! I have noticed the same thing here.  We all bawled at the end of Little Britches (true story), but not even close to shedding a tear on the Wonder Book. 

Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
  • The topic ‘The Wonder Book?’ is closed to new replies.