What were some of the books that you enjoyed as a child? Did you ever devour Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Witches? Roald Dahl is a favourite among many children and has played an important role in introducing the joy of reading to generations of readers. Dahl’s works contain everything that children love - magic, treasure, ghosts, toys, and adventure. However, his writing is also known for being unapologetically irreverent, with many sexist and racist depictions. Penguin, the publishing house, recently ordered revisions in Dahl’s books, to be politically correct, inclusive and fit in with the times. Some argue that it is a form of censorship, while others reckon it was necessary. This recent article in The Washington Post about the controversy piqued our interest. Do write to us and tell us what you think!
Photo Credit: Newsdaily.com
Should we give our children books with morals?
At Champaca, parents often ask us to recommend books that contain morals or can be used to teach values to children. But should children’s books take on the task of inculcating values is a question that we are asking today.
- Children are curious and children like fun: Why does the sky have to be blue? Does my dog have memories? Children ask a lot of questions. They are naturally curious and possess a sense of wonder. Children also have an innate ability to seek fun, making even the mundane exciting. A twig becomes a magic wand, and walking to school is converted into a game. When children look at everything with wonder and are brimming with questions, they need books that are fun and satiate their interests rather than those seeking to educate.
- Why do we read books? Books are uniquely portable magic - they allow us to indulge in our imagination, and spark creativity. Allowing a child to pick books that pique their interest instead of giving one in the hope they derive a lesson from it is more likely to get the child to seek more stories and thus read more books. We definitely feel that a child who reads becomes not only an adult who thinks but an original thinking one.
- Advice galore: “Walk in a single file”, “Clean the mess before you leave the room,”, “Say thank you.” Don’t you think children already get a lot of advice? It's perhaps human nature to not pay heed to advice, especially when it's unsolicited. :) Maybe we have forgotten what it was like to be a child?
- Solid story trumps all: Do you remember your favourite book as a child? Did it have a solid story and memorable characters or did it have an important message?
A slice of history... Libraries in adversity
The Gaza Strip is one of the most troubled regions on our planet. It’s been a part of a long-standing dispute between Israel and Palestine. Most schools were destroyed in the conflict and along with them, their libraries. Public and private libraries were damaged too. In spite of all this, Gaza has a literacy rate of 98 percent! A children’s centre launched a mobile library, Mohammed Al Hati drives the library van around different localities. The girls of Sokaina Girls School in Deir Al Bhah city pooled in money to buy books and displayed them in old crates and boxes. Elsewhere in Gaza, Osama Fayyed launched Bicycle: For Us is Life to deliver books to children in refugee camps. Being confined to a narrow strip of land doesn't mean the mind and imagination must be confined too. Reading offers a much-needed window to the world.
Photo Credit: trtworld.com