Disney, Anne, LOTR, Narnia

[Schlobin at aol.com]

Hey, folks...

Well, we've banned Disney in our household. Dumbo is too awful and 
traumatic for kids. The Hunchback and the Little Mermaid, etc. are 
too racist, and sexist, and just plain awful.

I grew up with Disney -- I liked Spin and Marty (would be great, but 
where are the girls?), Swamp Fox, etc.. -- but with the demise of 
Walt it went downhill....Pocahantas is all myth, etc. etc. etc.
I am joined by (many very conservative) parents.....in disliking 
current Disney -- too violent!

My kids are too young to read. My daughter is 19 months. My son, who 
will be four in September, listens to audio tapes and watches 
videotapes. He really likes Shakespeare's comedies -- As You Like It, 
Midsummer's Night's Dream, Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing. I 
believe that this will help him read the plays.

He has listened to HP on tape, and just loves it. When we were 
discussing the possibility of him attending private school, he 
said "Hogwarts? I go to Hogwarts?" He has seen the videotape of the 
Hobbit and the Narnia Chronicles, so he's familiar with the story.

I had read ALL the Anne of Green Gables novels before I saw the 
Wonderworks videos...but I loved them! I read Les Miserables in 
English and French before I saw it performed, and read the Hunchback 
in English (and saw the prior movies) before the Disney version.

i read the Scarlet Pimpernel before seeing any of the movies...

The LOTR prior movie was not at all great...I hope the new one is 
excellent.

I don't necessarily think that the movie spoils the book..but in 
general it's better to read the book first......

Susan