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  If there are Best, are there also Worst children's books?

  I've been browsing about children's concepts about negative themes like death, violence, and sex. How should one explain these concepts to a child? I found articles and books on this and wondered if they really exist at all. Do you know any?

  Serj B started this discussion 5 months ago. ( reply )

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  gracewithfire 

  i've done my own research on them, too, Serj, and i think they're called "niche" books or included in niche market-type books (like books for certain cultural groups).
  they do exist, i've come across some. Elizabeth Kennedy review them in her site, http://childrensbooks.about.com/od/lifelessonsissues/Life_Lessons_Issues.htm
  as for the other question in the post title, im sure there are children's books that look like children's books but don't sound nor feel like one at all. for starters, long-winded (long sentences) books for the 5 and below age group, books that talk down to the reader (sounds preachy), books that cheat on the reader ("it was all just a dream in the end" type of endings)... and i would also consider books that don't make the main character learn and grow from the conflict in the stories a cop out.
  what do you think? : )

  posted 4 months ago. ( reply )

  show 6 replies

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    laini g 

    i know of many good books that touch on these difficult topics and are well told such as "call me hope" about a girl and her verbally abusive mom and how in the end her mom gets counseling or "remembering mrs. rossi" where the mother of a sixth grader dies and the class makes a scrapbook to remember her by. the "call me hope" book checks out all the time. i believe that is the title. i can double check if you are really interested.

    posted 4 months ago. ( reply )

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    Serj B 

    Oh, thanks ms. GWF for pointing it out that the thread title and "negative" themes are quite different, because some of these themes may not be the worst books.
    I guess it all goes down to subjective/personal taste then. Just for example, I actually found this book on the web, some label it as possibly the worst and disturbing, while some don't:
    http://www.ebaumsworld.com/pictures/view/33522
    The approach is very direct, I don't know if children could already understand such situations. For me these kinds of themes, or any other stories, could become worse if they are not well told and presented. How about you?

    posted 4 months ago. ( reply )

  • Serj B removed this reply 4 months ago.

  • Serj B removed this reply 4 months ago.

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    gracewithfire 

    i didn't bother to read all 9 slides but are all those 9 slides all there is?
    
    yes, i guess it would depend on the reader's taste, but in children's books, i think the bottom line is how it affects the child. the theme is serious, but is it written sensitively in a way that gives the child reader a sense of hope and personal empowerment, or just further victimization?
    
    one can never have clear-cut rules about these things, i guess. i go for always keeping the child reader in mind and treating them with the utmost respect, caring, honesty and sensitivity.

    posted 4 months ago. ( reply )

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    Serj B 

    Yes, there are 9 of them. I think there's a better link but can't find it anymore :-) I definitely agree with you.
    I'll add to books that are not-so-good: the ones made just to sell, brimming with licensed cartoon characters. hahaha. :-)
    
    

    posted 4 months ago. ( reply )

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