Children's Books - Veggie Tales

[Guest guest]

I agree with Karen, in fact books like Charlotte's Web have certainly

contributed to shaping my values as a kid to bring me to vegetarianism in

adulthood.

 

Our kids deserve more credit when it comes to anthropomorphism (nonhuman

characters with human qualities). Even my 3yo dd knows the difference

between Larry the Cucumber and the cucumber I'm slicing for a dinner salad.

 

We are Christian and just adore Veggie Tales. They wouldn't be the same

without the Christian element, as some have suggested -- that's what they

are all about after all. As the company describes it, it's Sunday morning

values with Saturday morning fun.

 

Bonnie

-

Sat, 16 Feb 2002 15:56:53 -0500

" Karen Detling " <kdetling

Children's Books

 

I am really enjoying the discussion of children's books. I have two small

children, and I am currently taking a children's literature course as part

of my masters in library science, so it's given me some issues to think

about. I had several thoughts.

 

1. Veggie Tales - I have avoided them because we are not religious. My MIL

gave my daughter a Veggie Tales tape, but we haven't passed it on to her.

I'll listen to it first.

 

2. Animals given human qualities - this is an interesting subject. To be

honest, it has never bothered me. In fact, to play the devil's advocate,

let me say that I think it can be a good thing. Children may be more likely

to identify with animals if they see them doing things like they do and

having similar feelings. At some point, children will realize that bears do

not wear glasses and suits (at least not willingly). Also, what about a

book like Charlotte's Web? The animals talk and have human qualities, but

it is a wonderful story. The family does eat meat though.

 

3. What I object to are all the farm animal books for kids. They make the

farm look like paradise. Heck, I'd like to live there too if all I had to

do was frolic all day. They don't show the reality and, of course, don't

let children know that that the little pink piggy is going to be pork chops.

I always threaten to write my own children's book called something like

" Petey Pig Takes a Ride, " in which the cute little piggy is all excited

about his ride on the big truck, but ends up at the slaughter house. It is

interesting to me how our society instills a love of animals in children

through books, but then dupes them into thinking that eating meat isn't

really eating their friends. Give me a break.

 

When we see meat in books, I tell my daughter what it really is - see

those hotdogs, those are made from cows and pigs. She's starting to say that

she doesn't eat cow, pig, etc., because they are her friends. Her daycare

provider said that my daughter is very aware that she doesn't eat meat and

if her friends offer it to her she says no. (The teacher also steps in to

be sure she doesn't get any.)

 

Karen