Ugh, yes! I have the hardest time finding books at the library for my kids that are just as you describe -- good stories. They all have the over-the-top lessons. It drives me nuts!
This post is mainly about moralistic lessons poorly disguised as fiction, but there also so many “SEL” concept books being published lately. I’m all for books about manners and love and kindness, but let’s get back to simply telling good stories.
If you’re frustrated with what you’re finding at the library you might be interested in my other substack, Read, Discuss, Do. We share lots of recommendations in the form of story time ideas and book lists, and we try to stay away from heavy-handed lesson books.
Totally agree. My toddler hates the preachy books, she finds them boring, as do I! I have given up on most recently published picture books and mostly read ones from my own childhood, plus a few newer additions like Julia Donaldson. I’ve also noticed a trend to picture books becoming more illustration focused, maybe it’s just in the UK, but so many have full page illustrations with just a couple of sentences. I don’t hate the illustrations, but it’s hard to tell a good story with such a limited number of words.
I think there's a place for books that are more illustration focused, with spare text or even NO text. Though those are better for close reading rather than read-alouds. There are a lot of good read-alouds being published, though. I may need to do a list of some recent favorites. It can take a pretty big library stack to find the true gems! One recent one I really like is THE THREE BILLY GOATS GRUFF by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen (they've done some great stuff together). It's quite funny and clever. My three-year-old grandson loves it!
Rebecca, I like Inktober. I’m always afraid to draw. I feel exposed, like while dancing. I wrote a children’s book for fun that tells a story and also imparts a lesson -- friends are family -- but hopefully it’s not too preachy. In any event, it’s fitting in Google Docs
Also, thank you so much for restacking the “authors” post today. They really appreciate it, as do I.
I have to disagree. I think if books don’t teach values, they teach children to be indifferent to right and wrong. It’s a godless world in most books and entertainment and then people are influenced by this godlessness to become virtueless.
We might agree more than you think! I believe the best stories DO teach these lessons and values, but they do it without resorting to heavy-handedness or preachiness.
THIS IS SO TRUE. I hate those books (and my kids do too!😂)
Ugh, yes! I have the hardest time finding books at the library for my kids that are just as you describe -- good stories. They all have the over-the-top lessons. It drives me nuts!
This post is mainly about moralistic lessons poorly disguised as fiction, but there also so many “SEL” concept books being published lately. I’m all for books about manners and love and kindness, but let’s get back to simply telling good stories.
If you’re frustrated with what you’re finding at the library you might be interested in my other substack, Read, Discuss, Do. We share lots of recommendations in the form of story time ideas and book lists, and we try to stay away from heavy-handed lesson books.
Totally agree. My toddler hates the preachy books, she finds them boring, as do I! I have given up on most recently published picture books and mostly read ones from my own childhood, plus a few newer additions like Julia Donaldson. I’ve also noticed a trend to picture books becoming more illustration focused, maybe it’s just in the UK, but so many have full page illustrations with just a couple of sentences. I don’t hate the illustrations, but it’s hard to tell a good story with such a limited number of words.
I think there's a place for books that are more illustration focused, with spare text or even NO text. Though those are better for close reading rather than read-alouds. There are a lot of good read-alouds being published, though. I may need to do a list of some recent favorites. It can take a pretty big library stack to find the true gems! One recent one I really like is THE THREE BILLY GOATS GRUFF by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen (they've done some great stuff together). It's quite funny and clever. My three-year-old grandson loves it!
Rebecca, I like Inktober. I’m always afraid to draw. I feel exposed, like while dancing. I wrote a children’s book for fun that tells a story and also imparts a lesson -- friends are family -- but hopefully it’s not too preachy. In any event, it’s fitting in Google Docs
Also, thank you so much for restacking the “authors” post today. They really appreciate it, as do I.
Ben, there’s no reason to be afraid if you keep your sketchbook to yourself. Like dancing with the curtains closed. Haha.
I think most, if not all, stories impart lessons. It’s how those lessons unfold that makes a difference.
One 👏 million 👏 times 👏 YES 👏
So, so well said, Rebecca.
Thank you, Sarah!
I have to disagree. I think if books don’t teach values, they teach children to be indifferent to right and wrong. It’s a godless world in most books and entertainment and then people are influenced by this godlessness to become virtueless.
We might agree more than you think! I believe the best stories DO teach these lessons and values, but they do it without resorting to heavy-handedness or preachiness.
I agree…