Taylor Bartlett
asked:
I would just like to get everyone's personal opinion, do you think Watership Down is a kid's book?
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Erika
I read it for the first time when I was 10 years old...and I am reading it again now at 51.
Kerry Dunn
If it can capture your child's attention then it's a children's book. I like what Neil Gaiman says, "Well-meaning adults can easily destroy a child's love of reading. Stop them reading what they enjoy or give them worthy-but-dull books that you like - the 21st-century equivalents of Victorian 'improving' literature - you'll wind up with a generation convinced that reading is uncool and, worse, unpleasant."
Esko Murto
What kind of a book do we consider suitable for kids? Watership Down can be a bit scary at times, but I don't know if that's the worst thing you can have in a children's book. The story may have dark points, but in general it is a story of loyalty, friendship, bravery, moral uprightness and so on. The ending is a happy one, meaning the trials and sufferings have not been in vain for the rabbits. I would say it's a good book for children 10+ years.
Amparo
It was not published as juvenile fiction. But like many other readers, I did read and enjoy it around 5th grade. I did not pick up on the nuances of the political allegory, which became clearer to me much later. I think it's a good book for children to read and discuss with their older siblings and parents.
Laura Robinson
Suitable for kids, maybe not interesting to all of them (it doesn't mind taking its time). If my child picked this up I sure wouldn't stop them.
Jeremy
Although the author was inspired by his daughters to write this book, I would not consider it a kid's book. For one thing, none of the main characters are children.
Kim
I think it's a lot like The Hobbit and the Harry Potter series in that it was written specifically for children but isn't necessarily a "children's book".
Dawnstream
It's suitable for every age. I find it riveting as an adult and I remember everyone in my sixth grade class raving about it. There are some complex issues that will go right over the heads of little ones, but it's simple at the same time.
Arimathea
Anything that a child wants to read is a kids' book, I think.
If they're not old enough to understand the book, they'll put it aside. If they don't understand everything in it, they'll either ask or they'll come back to it later.
Some books will scare the daylights out of them. Even some kids' books will scare the intended audience spitless. (Think of the wolves attacking the train in "The Wolves of Willoughby Chase", for instance.) But if they want to read it, let them read it. Or read it to them so you can talk to the kids about it.
Yes, I think "Watership Down" is a kids' book. They may need a dictionary. So what?
If they're not old enough to understand the book, they'll put it aside. If they don't understand everything in it, they'll either ask or they'll come back to it later.
Some books will scare the daylights out of them. Even some kids' books will scare the intended audience spitless. (Think of the wolves attacking the train in "The Wolves of Willoughby Chase", for instance.) But if they want to read it, let them read it. Or read it to them so you can talk to the kids about it.
Yes, I think "Watership Down" is a kids' book. They may need a dictionary. So what?
Franco Gulli
I read it at 12 and can easily say it jump started my love reading along with Jules Verne.
Kathleen Holmes
I believe that a young child could read this and enjoy it, but might not fully understand it. It is pretty straight-forward in regards to the story, but there is deeper meaning hidden inside the pages that adults will pick up on. I have confronted many adults who won't read it because it sounds like a fairy-tale about rabbits, and I get so infuriated when people have this mind-set. I believe that Watership Down is a book that anybody can read, but the more mature you are the more you will appreciate it
Julia
I'd read it at the same time as them, or before hand. They might have tough questions, and you can help put things into perspective.
Sara
Sure - what a great story! My 8&10 year olds did great with it.
Melanti
How old of a kid?
I suspect if it it were published today, it'd be marketed towards the lower end of the YA spectrum - say 10-13.
So, not a "kids" book, as we think of it today, but more of a middle grade/tween level book.
I suspect if it it were published today, it'd be marketed towards the lower end of the YA spectrum - say 10-13.
So, not a "kids" book, as we think of it today, but more of a middle grade/tween level book.
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