Children and Classics

[Rebecca]

Roald Dahl had stories for all ages, and he didn't patronize or try to make the world seem bland.

I read Jane Eyre when I was 11. I think the best way to encourage kids to read is just to have lots of books around for them, and to be seen to read a lot yourself. If your parents spend all day watching TV and tell you to read it's not going to seem like a good idea to you.

[Geoffrey]

And of course when they're tiny, read to them at bedtime. They will want to read the stories for themselves.

[David W.]

My personal interest of "hard" literature was sparked after reading about the authors in an encyclopedia. I was intregued to know about such stories that survived to this day, when they were written in a not-so-connercial world without today's hype on selling "popular" books.

And my mother always encourages me to pick up new books. Dr Seuss was a favorite of mine. I loved the illustrations as much as the text.

I guess when a child starts reading something new, the parent should read it through first so that they'd be aware of what we'd call "twigger warnings" and deal with them when they scare the kid in hir reading.

As for "Jane Eyre"... apart from reading about the Brontë sisters on an encyclopedia, I was also intregued when my mother started reading a copy of it. It seemed like the thickest book of fiction I'd ever seen, and although I didn't start actual reading of an English copy until a few years ago (and it's still a reading-in-progress for me), that first interest was always in my head until I made a purchase in a book store.

I think children should be encouraged to read "hard" literature. Start from the simpler plots or shorter in lengths, like Mark Twains' Tom Sawyer, or the short stories by Chekhov or Guy de Maupassant. I had a teacher in primary school who taught Chinese in the class in her charge and taught "politics & ethics" (a no-final-exams class for those who don't know) for the entire grade. Everytime she finishes her weekly class she'd spend the remaining twenty minutes of so reading YA for us and later Jules Verne. That kind of hard sci-fi proves very intriguing for the growing mind.

[Makenna]

Iris wrote: "I think the earlier the better. I have a bunch of picture books of the classics. Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, The Wind in the Willows, The Wizard of Oz. It really gets them into the story."

My sister is now in the critical age of six, and as I did in her age, she expresses a pull towards books. In my case, no one ever advised me "not to". I was raiding my mother's bookcase from the age of 8, and I ended up reading adult books, which sometimes where better than mine, but some other times, I couldn't handle what they contained. I sometimes feel that it was one of the facts that made me grow up early.

As I already mentioned, I have a sister who is trying out my books now, and I gave lots of thought on the matter. I believe that all kinds of art (except for music and painting) aren't suitable for young children, but then again, I prefer my little one to grow up with Jayne Eire as her role model, instead of Ariel or Cinderella. It is not just for getting them into the story, but for what the characters have to offer. I don't want to feed her with easy life, love at first sight, and all that. It would save her a lot of time.

Don't mistake me, I wouldn't want a child grabbing my copy of Game of Thrones or such. Classics are characterized by their lack of sex scenes, cold blooded violence etc. IF they are modificated specially for children, even better. As Tris said, it will fertilize the soil and one day they will want to read the classic version of the book. Or I just hope so :)

[David W.]

Demetra wrote: "Iris wrote: "I think the earlier the better. I have a bunch of picture books of the classics. Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, The Wind in the Willows, The Wizard of Oz. It really gets them into the..."

So if your little sister asks you what Jane Eyre is about before attempting to tackle the thick book, would you consider giving her a plot summary first? ("Jane's an orphan who was abused by her auntie and cousin, then went to a Church school and managed not to break under the pressure, when she graduated she sought an independent job as a governess, and began developing feelings to the master of the manor...")

[Suzanne]

I don't think the Shakespeare picture book is a good idea. The appeal of Shakespeare is in the language. If you take away the theatrical phrasing and advanced vocabulary what you have, in most of his plays, is sex and pat/frat/matricide. Not super suitable for spoon-feeding :) but Peter Pan? Alice? Those could be kid friendly whether or not they're abridged.

[Stephanie]

There are so many other classic stories for children to read, you don't have to start with Jane Eyre. Try Treasure Island, White Fang, Anne of Green Gables, Little Women, The Wind in the Willows, Peter Pan, Watership Down.
There are so many! What about Stuart Little? Those are pretty classic

[David W.]

Very true. Winnie the Pooh would be a good choice also.

[Laura]

Suzanne wrote: "I don't think the Shakespeare picture book is a good idea. The appeal of Shakespeare is in the language. If you take away the theatrical phrasing and advanced vocabulary what you have, in most of h..."

I disagree not with the concept, but with your reasons. Because if that were so, you'd be implying that translations are also pointless, that everyone who can't learn enough English to tackle the original version has no business reading Shakespeare at all.

[Andy]

What I think is that, If the child really loves reading and learning, he/she wouldn't be picky with whatever knowledge that he/she can get.

I'am saving all the books that I've read for my future children and I would like them to know about the classic novels of all time. The one that will suit their age. A story with moral. In case they wouldn't comprehend, I'll be here to enlighten them about the story.

[David W.]

Andy wrote: "What I think is that, If the child really loves reading and learning, he/she wouldn't be picky with whatever knowledge that he/she can get.

I'am saving all the books that I've read for my future ..."

*nods* Being there for your future children when they ask questions about the books really is everything.