[HPforGrownups] Re: Children's Lit

[Calypso8604 at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 29502

The wonderful thing about the term "children's literatrure" - there really 
isn't any one set definition. It's more of an opinion of any individual. I am 
15 but still enjoy reading many so-called childrens' books with the age tag 
of 12 and under that the Publisher slapped on. The Giver, The Lion, Witch, 
and the Wardrobe, The Phantom Tollbooth among others are all wonderful books 
that I know many adults love but are widely considered childrens' books. 

I believe it was Cindy that brought up the question of good children's lit 
having an adult centric character. I thought for a few minutes and couldn't 
think of any. But perhaps this is why these books are so appealing to 
children. People their age or slightly older doing exciting things or having 
problems or something equally prominent -- it's appealing to them because 
kids are often treated of lesser importance, in their opinion. In children's 
lit there are kids getting the respect they deserve! They get a whole book 
about them!

Another point that has been brought up about HP/children's lit is that 
appropriate age. I don't believe that an age should matter as much as what an 
individual child is mature enough for and can handle. True, some of the 
things in HP may not seem appropriate for younger kids but it really depends 
on the kid. My younger brother and sister have always seemed more mature than 
most kids their age (they are ages 12 and 3, by the way) and they are both 
able to handle things a bit earlier. My brother read Goblet of Fire when he 
was 11 and he was fine with everything in the book and my mother had no 
problem with him reading it. And if I recall correctly, the little brat made 
fun of me for crying when Cedric died while he was fine during that entire 
part. The books are too dark for a general age group. 

My goodness, I wrote quite a bit! See how motivated I am to speak my opinion 
when I'm getting a break from Biology homework for writing it? ^_^

~ Calypso


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