When you see Inside Nan in the title of a post be aware that what follows is editorial comment, maybe a rant, a sigh, an eruption. If you don't want to know don't read it. I've been blogging for a year without the permission of the "Annotated" aspect so I have many Inside Nans waiting for publication. Here's the first...
Sticks and Stones: The Troublesome Success of Children's Literature from Slovenly Peter to Harry Potter by Jack ZipesHere's the publisher's blurb: Have children ever really had a literature of their own? In Sticks and Stones, Jack Zipes explores children's literature, from the grissly moralism of Slovenly Peter to the hugely successful Harry Potter books, and argues that despite common assumptions about children's books, our investment in children is paradoxically curtailing their freedom and creativity. Sticks and Stones is a forthright and engaging book by someone who cares deeply about what and how children read.
Here's Zipes... "To attract children and adults as consumers of literature, the very nature of the book - its design and contents-began to change. Gradually books began to be produced basically to sell and resell themselves and to make readers into consumers of brand names...(p. 6)...Children's books are formulaic and banal, distinguishable from another only by their brand labels. Yet book publishers argue that as long as these books get children to read, this is a good in itself...(p.7)
More Zipes: "I do not mean to slight the reviewers of children's books in local newspapers or in the popular press, but I have rarely read a negative review of a children's book or a book for young adults. It appears that everything and anything is good for children's minds and eyes. Good is rarely defined, though the reviewer may appear to have a firm grasp on what is appropriate literature ..."
I am reading this book and thinking about my field from Zipes' perspectives. So far I think he has strong opinions and arguments for them. And yes, the examples I posted are extreme but...What do you think? Lurk or go ahead and say it...
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3 comments:
Hmmm. I will have to read this. The question I asked myself was: Did I feel disappointed and less creative as a child? No. Do I feel that the books today make my children less creative? No. So I am a bit confused about the premise and am curious!
Hey MsY, Zipes' premises are provocative and flawed, in my opinion. He tends to spew and wander, I wanted to corner him on many points and ask for examples...I do however, recognize the "cringe" factor as I observe my young patrons here at the library and how they (often, but not always)reach and ask for what has been served up for them -- the Dora, the Thomas, the Disney... Thanks for your readership of the Berry. Further thoughts welcome.
I agree with his comments about the "brand names" such as Dora, Harry Potter, etc. being the most popular books.
Sadly, these days everything is consumer driven, much more so than when I was growing up. Kids want what they see on TV, or what they see advertised the most. This is where parents, teachers, and library staff need to intervene and encourage our children to branch out and try reading new things, in the hope that they will discover the joy of reading and become lifelong lovers of books. A truly good book does not "curtail freedom and creativity" - it does the opposite, expanding the mind and imagination, taking us to new places, exposing us to new ideas, different cultures, etc. A bad book is junk food for the mind, (aka "twaddle"--to quote Charlotte Mason).
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