What's Inside Children's Books?
This article examines some lessons learned in an award-winning young adult book.
Reality is defined as: "the world or the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them." Reality is not subjective.
Are children being trained by adults to become activists? Are they qualified to take on these battles, or are they being exploited?
Even very young children seem to have strong feelings and opinions about controversial subjects. Are these ideas purposefully planted in the minds of children?
Are books marketed for young readers neutral? You decide.
Are children influenced by product placements in books? Today's children have substantial purchasing power.
How much, if any, impact do product placements have on children's spending or further reading material?
What about Drag Queen Story Hour? Should parents take their children to a library to be entertained?
Are fictional characters a reflection of our society today, or are they helping to establish a new normal?
Profanity may be normal these days, but does normal mean acceptable? Is profanity included in books for young adults?
Our youth seem to have strong political viewpoints these days. Is it from a careful study of our history and our Constitution, or are they being politicized?
Should picture books for three and four year olds address transgenderism and drag queens? Obviously, the publishers think so.
In Parts 2 and 3, the question is posed as to whether children are deliberately led to specific conclusions about Palestinians and Israelis through kiddie books.
Through the power of story books, children can be easily influenced to accept or reject certain ideologies.
Perhaps you have heard the terms sight reading, word-guessing, or the look-say method of teaching children to read. What does this really mean?
Since Clara was twenty-three at the time of the 1909 strike, why does the author take such pains to imply that these workers—including Clara—were mere children?