Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to feel uneasy about my son reading Enid Blyton books

767 replies

frances5 · 22/06/2007 22:10

My son wants me to read him a book called the "Wishing Chair", I have read two chapters of it and it has a pixie in it called "Chinky". To make it worst the drawing of "Chinky" shows an elf like creature with slitted eyes. However I think my son is totally and utter oblivous to this.

Admitally Enid Blyton lived 50 years ago when people didn't know better. But do you think I am making a mistake letting my son enjoy this book? He is even trying to read it himself that he is so desperate to know what happens next.

When my son chose this book I had no idea that it had a pixie in it called "Chinky" other wise I would have diverted him towards something like Ronald Dahl.

OP posts:
worzsel · 22/06/2007 22:34

poisonous muck.. Why !!

pointydog · 22/06/2007 22:33

"Chinky" shows an elf like creature with slitted eyes

I wouldn't let my child read that

Quattrocento · 22/06/2007 22:32

Well you know I love books. Been bookish all my life. Don't believe in censorship normally.

But hell would freeze over before I let my children read that sort of poisonous muck.

There. I feel better now.

jellybeans · 22/06/2007 22:31

I would have no probs with my kids reading any Enid books, I grew up reading them, they're just old fashioned (pc wise, although I think new editions are somewhat updated?) and I would explain that if any questions.

pointydog · 22/06/2007 22:30

do you have a modern edition of the book? I wouldn't have thought character would still be called that

Twinklemegan · 22/06/2007 22:25

You could make an issue out of so many things if so inclined. Having a "gay" time, girls called Fanny, etc. But it is the modern corruptions of these things that are wrong, not they're original context.

Enid Blyton books are of their time but they are terrific - I can't wait for DS to be able to read them. So much better than loads of the modern rubbish IMO. They feed their imaginations which is the most important thing I think.

Posey · 22/06/2007 22:25

Enid Blyton writes some magical stuff that helps get so many people reading. There are un-PC things in them that generally go over the heads of the children reading, and don't leave a lasting impression. Names are quite funny in EB books, Fanny and Dick to name just 2.
I would let him have the story.

MamaMaiasaura · 22/06/2007 22:21

think you have answered it for yourself then

Original poster
frances5 · 22/06/2007 22:20

My son is getting very good at reading. I don't think changing the name would work. He can read the book, but he is very slow.

I have chosen not to make an issue out of it. "Chinky" is a good character and my son has no idea that it is a derogatory term used by racists to describe chinese people. I think if I made an issue of it then he would be more likely to repeat it.

OP posts:
PestoMonster · 22/06/2007 22:20

Personally I wouldn't read too much into it. I read it to my dds a couple of years ago, and tbh they wouldn't remember the names in it now and I didn't think of the connotations eiether and none of us have been affected by it. Really, they are just a nice little set of books that get your imagination going in my opinion.

worzsel · 22/06/2007 22:19

Most of the content of any Enid Blyton book will be pretty unpc so if being PC worries you atall they you're probably better off not reading them. Personally i think they are awesome stories and cant wait to be feeding dds imagination with them, pc or not !

lisad123 · 22/06/2007 22:14

Is he sensible enough for you to explain why you dont want to call the pixie by the words written and come up with a new name together?
l

bobsmum · 22/06/2007 22:13

I Loved the wishing chair and couldn't have told you that that name was in it. I do remember Moonface though or was that the magic faraway tree?

musicianswidowAKAmumofmonsters · 22/06/2007 22:13

surely you mean Roald Dahl

bobsmum · 22/06/2007 22:12

Change the name?

MamaMaiasaura · 22/06/2007 22:12

imo I dont think you should feel uneasy as I read the wishing chair and I dont recall it setting my views on society and the differing races. I just enjoyed the magic of it.

cba · 22/06/2007 22:12

So difficult. Can your son read, could you change the name without him realising?