“Have bad parents taken over children's books? - The Guardian” plus 3 more |
- Have bad parents taken over children's books? - The Guardian
- Children's books that made an impact - Salem News
- Gund of Edison recalls children's books manufactured in ... - Bridgeton News
- Brasch Words - American Reporter
| Have bad parents taken over children's books? - The Guardian Posted: 08 Apr 2010 03:41 AM PDT  Don't look now ... Angry parent and child. Photograph: Roger Bamber The Famous Five's parents might be loving, but they clearly aren't that bothered about spending a lot of quality time with their kids, who are left in peace to adventure on Kirrin Island or at Smuggler's Top. Pauline, Petrova and Posie of Noel Streatfeild's Ballet Shoes are orphaned. James of Giant Peach fame's parents are killed in a rhinoceros accident and he's sent to live with the evil aunts Spiker and Sponge. All the best books for children get rid of the parents early on – which is why I am intrigued by a theory laid out in the New York Times. Children's books editor Julie Just is arguing that "it took a surprisingly long time for bad parents to show up in children's books ... in the classic stories, from Cinderella to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the hero's parents are more likely to be absent or dead than cruel or incompetent". These days, though, with the growth in young adult fiction, she believes "the bad parent is enjoying something of a heyday", with some of the best YA novels reliably featuring "a mopey, inept, distracted or ready-for-rehab parent": Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr, Natalie Standiford's How to Say Goodbye in Robot, Laurie Halse Anderson's Wintergirls – even the bestselling Twilight, Shiver and The Hunger Games series. Hmm. This interests me. I haven't read the novels she mentions, apart from Twilight (where she's right – the mother and father are ineffectual, rather hopeless background figures), but the best YA fiction I've read of late doesn't exactly bear her theory out. In Patrick Ness's Chaos Walking trilogy, not only are hero Todd's parents dead but so are his guardians. In Siobhan Dowd's Solace of the Road, Holly Hogan walks out on her foster family. In Anna Perera's Guantanamo Boy, Khalid is kidnapped when on holiday with his family in Pakistan. The absence of parents works in YA fiction just as it does in children's books: because the young protagonist is forced to make decisions on his or her own, without the moral compass or preconceptions or restrictions of the adult world. And – as Neil Gaiman points out – bad parents have always been around. "Remember that in the first edition of Grimm's Fairy Tales, those stepmothers were plain old mothers," he writes on his blog. He's backed up in a National Geographic article, which explains that the Grimms refined and softened their stories to meet demands for "virtuous material for the nursery": "In the Grimms' hands, cruel mothers became nasty stepmothers, unmarried lovers were made chaste, and the incestuous father was recast as the devil." But then it's always easy to think up exceptions to a trend, just as it's possible to think of examples: David Yelland's The Truth About Leo, for example – the former Sun editor's first YA novel, about a boy struggling to deal with his alcoholic father, which is just out. I have to say, I think I prefer my children's – and YA – fiction as free as possible from adult influences – would Treasure Island have been as fun if Jim's mum and dad were along for the ride, or The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, or A Walk in Wolf Wood? But what do you think? Trend or no trend? Good or not good? Parents or no parents? Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction. | |
| Children's books that made an impact - Salem News Posted: 01 Apr 2010 09:07 PM PDT What children's book changed the way you see the world? For actress Julianne Moore, it was "Little Women." Comedian Jay Leno better understood his penchant for comedy through reading "Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel." For Robert Ballard, explorer of the Titanic wreck, it was, not surprisingly, "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea." Many people can recall a children's book that resonated with them — which Anita Silvey set out to capture in her recent book, "Everything I Need to Know I Learned From a Children's Book." Silvey, who will host a discussion at Gordon College next Thursday, culled responses from 110 notable people, including painters and dancers, inventors and scientists, financiers and politicians. "It was a dream project to work on," said Silvey, former publisher of children's books at Houghton Mifflin and former editor-in-chief of The Horn Book Magazine. "Every time I go to a cocktail party, ride the elevator or take a taxi cab, I always say, 'What did you read as a child and why do you remember it?'" said Silvey, 62. "I talked this for years." But it wasn't until a friend suggested the idea for the book that the light bulb went on. "It took me all of a nanosecond," she said. "I wanted to have people from different places in life reflecting on the children's book that had shaped them." In her book, Silvey includes an essay from each person, her own notes about each selected book, and an excerpt and often artwork from the book. On the North Shore, "Everything I Need to Know I Learned From a Children's Book" was selected as the fourth annual Community Read in Hamilton and Wenham — a book residents were encouraged to read. On Thursday, April 8, Silvey will speak at Gordon College, which is sponsoring the event in partnership with the Hamilton-Wenham Public Library and the Friends of the Library. "People get really animated about their favorite book or the book that meant the most to them," said Jan Dempsey, director of the Hamilton-Wenham Public Library. "Her book was really a catalyst for very good discussions about children's literature." During her visit, Silvey said she plans to talk about the people she interviewed and her observations. "I'll talk, and then I hope I'll get to listen," said Silvey, who lives in Westwood. "I'm hoping people will be willing to share some of their own stories." "We're excited to have her come," Dempsey said. Q&A with Anita Silvey How did you choose the subjects for your book? I did a lot of research. I wanted people who both had distinguished themselves in leadership positions and who would also have something interesting to say. Who surprised you most? Kirk Douglas was one who surprised me. He's "Spartacus." He's Mr. Tough Guy. He played every "mean guy" role in Hollywood, and he started to talk about "The Bobbsey Twins." How were the interviews? Some of the people wrote essays. ... The interviews were my favorite part. I just loved talking to these people. For them, these were such good memories. Steve Forbes talked about his mom putting him in her lap and reading. I was bringing them back to very precious times in their lives. Why have you dedicated your career to children's books? I think they are the most thoughtful and the most tightly worked-out communication from adults to children. ... You really have that unique opportunity for a child to encounter in a page of a book what they need to hear. Want to go? Anita Silvey, author of "Everything I Need to Know I Learned from a Children's Book" What: Anita Silvey lecture and book signing When: Thursday, April 8 Time: Meet the author from 6 to 7 p.m.; lecture at 7:30 p.m. Where: Gordon College Ken Olsen Science Center, 255 Grapevine Road, Wenham Cost: $8, $5 for students/seniors Information and tickets: Call the Hamilton-Wenham Library at 978-468-5577, or visit http://hwlibrary.org Book signing: Silvey's book will be for sale and people can also bring their copies for Silvey to sign What children's book make a big impact on you? Lorraine Der Children's librarian, Hamilton-Wenham Public Library Book: "Puss in Boots" Why: "I loved the characters, the illustrations, the language, and it was just a fun book. I loved animals — particularly cats — and I liked the idea that a cat could be your friend, and such a good, loyal, intelligent and clever friend. I also loved to say, 'Marquis of Carabas.' It was a treasured book from my childhood that I reread many times." Cheryl Opolski Head of children's services, Salem Public Library Book: The "Dick and Jane" books Why: "Because they taught me how to read, in a nutshell. We didn't have TV and there were obviously no computers, and reading was a great thing. It was nice to be able to have the key that unlocked the world of reading to 'The Bobbsey Twins,' Louisa May Alcott, Cherry Ames, Trixie Belden mysteries, ... 'Anne of Green Gables' and many more books." Emily Nichols Head of children's services, Beverly Public Library Book: "The Phantom Tollbooth" by Norton Juster Why: "It's about this boy (Milo) who is very bored; then this magic tollbooth shows up with a car and takes him to an alternate world where he learns to see the world in a different way. ... There is a scene where Milo goes to this city, and because everyone was looking down at the street and not up at the buildings, they actually disappeared because no one was paying attention to them. It profoundly shaped the way I look at the world. You have to be engaged in the world around you or it disappears." Carol Bender Children's librarian, Peabody Institute Library, Peabody Book: The picture book "The Little House" by Virginia Lee Burton, and the Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder Why: They "helped shape my sense of home. ... To me these stories reveal that home is not a singular place that as an adult I would someday leave behind, but rather a safe and special place that I create and share with family and friends wherever I happen to live. In this day and age, I'm especially glad for their message that space is temporal, but relationships lovingly tended are forever." JoAnne Powell Head of children's services, Peabody Institute Library, Danvers Book: "Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel," by Virginia Lee Burton Why: "Captain Kangaroo would do a reading session. ... One of my favorite books he read was 'Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel.' I just got a lot out of it. I think it was the steam shovel and all the work that Mary Anne (his steam shovel) did. I just related to that. If there's work to be done, that's me." Society leaders' take on influential children's books: Peter Lynch, investor and fund manager: "The Hardy Boys" by Franklin W. Dixon Deval Patrick, Massachusetts governor, "Liza Lou and the Yeller Bel:y Swamp" by Mercer Mayer, which he read to his two daughters Kathy Bates, actor: "Impunity Jane" by Rumer Godden Judy Blume, children's author: "Madeline" by Ludwig Bemelmans Roger Ebert, film critic: "The Saturdays" by Elizabeth Enright Maurice Sendak, author of "Where the Wild Things Are": "Harold and the Purple Crayon" by Crockett Johnson Jay Leno, comedian and "Tonight Show" host: "Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel" by Virginia Lee Burton Tiki Barber, broadcaster, former pro-football player: "The Little Engine That Could" by Watty Piper Stan Lee, Marvel Comics writer who created the Hulk and Spider-Man: "Poppy Ott" by Leo Edwards Leslie Moonves, president and CEO of CBS: the Babar books by Jean de Brunhoff Seven Pinker, Harvard researcher, psychologist and professor: "The Cat in the Hat Comes Back" by Dr. Seuss Pete Seeger, folk singer, activist: "Rolf in the Woods" by Ernest Thompson Seton Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. 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| Gund of Edison recalls children's books manufactured in ... - Bridgeton News Posted: 06 Apr 2010 06:02 PM PDT By The Associated PressApril 06, 2010, 8:53PM
The recalled items include "Animals" (item number 059174), "Numbers" (item number 059175) and "Colors" (item number 059176). The books were also sold as a three-book set (item number 059173), pictured. The company has received three reports of children putting detached plastic foam in their mouths, but no reports of injuries. The books were sold at gift and novelty stores around the country between January 2009 and March 2010. For more details, call (800) 436-3726 or visit gund.com or cpsc.gov. Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction. | |
| Brasch Words - American Reporter Posted: 07 Apr 2010 09:50 PM PDT Brasch Words | LEGACIES, CELEBRITIES, AND MEDIA SKANKS by Walter Brasch American Reporter Senior Correspondent Bloomsburg, Pa.
Printable version of this story BLOOMSBURG, Pa -- NBC news correspondent Jenna Bush Hager had a news exclusive. And, like news exclusives in the Era of Infotainment, this one was broadcast by the entertainment division. Specifically, Jenna Bush interviewed her mother, Laura Bush, on 38th episode of "The Jay Leno Show." It makes no difference what the questions or answers were. Journalism hasn't been a priority of television for a long time. What matters is that a network hired someone with no background into a job with an income substantially above what most journalists earn. Jenna Bush isn't the only one to parlay dubious credentials onto network television. Beauty pageants - it makes no difference if it's the Miss Rutabaga or Miss America contests - are full of contestants who say their ambition is to be a tv anchor or an actress, whichever comes first. Now, Jenna Bush, in her mid-20s, had also become a best-selling author, something that rarely happens even to the best writers. HarperCollins, owned by Rupert Murdoch of Fox News fame, printed an initial 500,000 copies of Ana's Story in 2007. The press run was about 100 times greater than the average run of a first book by even a good writer. A year later, HarperCollins published a children's book co-written by Jenna Bush and Laura Bush, who promoted their books on the major talk shows, including "The Tonight Show, with Jay Leno." Thousands of publicists and authors literally beg to get network exposure. Most books that do get published can be found in the remainder bins - or recycling bins - within a year of publication - if the author is fortunate enough to even secure a contract. The Bushes aren't the only celebrities who have written children's books. Among dozens of celebrities who easily found publishers for their children's books were Julie Andrews, Bill Cosby, Katie Couric, Jamie Lee Curtis, LL Cool J, Jay Leno, Will Smith, Jerry Seinfeld, and even Shaquille O'Neal. Superstar pro athletes can often get book deals in the six- and seven-figure range. Among them are 7'5" NBA star Yao-Minh, whose command of English is minimal, but who scored a $1.5 million advance for his autobiography; and Dennis Rodman, aided by a fluorescent-hued hair, multi-body tattoos, and a seven-figure advance, who wore a dress and feather boa in Detroit and a wedding dress in Manhattan to promote his own in-your-face autobiography. O.J. Simpson was a cross-over - a superstar pro athlete and a criminal. Criminals whose stories make the front pages, and who while in prison "find" religion and do a great job of feigning repentance, can often secure book deals. Thousands of 20-something students and recent graduates have worked extremely hard, usually in anonymity, to earn internships, many of them unpaid, in the media or in government. However, unlike most interns, Monica Lewinsky, Bill Clinton's presidential playmate, became a best-selling author. And, like other celebrity-authors, she was able to parlay her notoriety into numerous talk-show appearances, all of which helped promote Monica's Story and more than $2 million in income. Add Paris Hilton to the list. In 2004, she secured a book contract for an autobiography, reflecting her entire 23 year life of entitlement and near uselessness. Of course, the book became a New York Times best-seller. At one time, "legacy children," the ones whose parents or grandparents earned fame or fortune, would have settled for being admitted to the parents' Ivy League colleges, even if minimally qualified, and then getting some job in the family business. But now the omnipotence of the mass media has given the entitled darlings other opportunities. Chances are there's a tv gig or a book contract somewhere in their futures. And all that this says is that those who work hard to learn and perfect their craft, perhaps to contribute ideas to society, and hoped-for mass distribution, will probably continue a life of anonymity while buried by the train wrecks that have become the mass media. AR Senior Correspondent Walter M. Brasch, an award-winning former newspaper reporter and editor, is a syndicated social issues columnist, author, writer-producer, and professor of journalism at Bloomsburg University.
Copyright 2010 Joe Shea The American Reporter. All Rights Reserved.
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