Bad books for children?

[Realitygf]

I am studying for a Masters in Writing for Young People and writing an essay on whether there is any such thing as a bad book for children. In the past people have described Enid Blyton, Rainbow Magic/Beast Quest and even David Walliams as 'bad books'. What do you think? Have you bought Rainbow Magic books for your dd or do you refuse to let her read them? I would love to know your views. Thanks

[MrsKCastle]

Revolutionary No, I wouldn't want to stop children from ever being scared. When I posted, I wasn't really thinking of fear, so much as misunderstanding. In fact, thinking about it more, I would possibly be more worried about a child not fully comprehending a heavy subject- reading War Horse and taking away the idea that WWI was quite cool because the soldiers got to ride horses.

I didn't mean to suggest that reading material should be provided or allowed on a basis of age, either. I used the word 'young' reader but I see this as entirely an individual thing. Some 5 year olds can cope with subjects/books that would be too much for some 9 year olds. I don't believe in censoring what children read, butI think as parents we should be aware of what children are reading, and be prepared to talk about why Huckleberry Finn contains the 'n' word, and what happened to Anne after the diary finished.

[ASmidgeofMidge]

I was a voracious reader as a child (still am) and my parents never restricted anything I read. I used to borrow, for example, Stephen King books from the library when I was probably 'too young' for some of the swearing sex content, but I don't feel, looking back, that my access to these books was problematic or inappropriate. Reading was massively important to me as a child (an escape from problems at home, bullying etc) and I think I wanted to read things that felt real rather than saccharine. (I know that sounds a bit weird with reference to Stephen King!) My dd is 6 - she's asked about what some of my books are about (although she's horrified that they have no pictures at all ). At the moment it's all about the Disney Princesses for her, but she gets a thrill from her factual book about dangerous animals, and I think expanding into adult fiction is an extension of this.

[ASmidgeofMidge]

Absolutely TheNightisDark - I'm not keen on the idea of censorship either, and of labelling books as 'good' or 'bad'. If children enjoy reading it, it's good, as far as I'm concerned

[ThinkIveBeenHacked]

The Bloody Mr Bloody Men. I run from DD when she holds out one of these.

No rythm, no descernable plots, no moral, no humour, badly illustrated, crap stories. Hate beyond the capacity of the word Hate.

[ASmidgeofMidge]

DD1 is particularly intrigued by Sarah Waters' The Little Stranger - she asks endless questions about who the 'stranger' is, whether she is good or bad etc etc.

[MitziKinsky]

DH is appalled by Charlie and Lola books, and refused to read them to the DC due to the poor English. (I, however love Charlie and Lola!)

I've never enjoyed Enid Blyton, as a child or adult.

My DD has never shown any interest in the Rainbow Magic books. The front covers don't appeal to her, it seems.

I avoid Disney books. Mainly because I don't like the pictures.

DD brought home a book from the school library about a baby who'd had his eyes pecked out by a bird....I promptly sent it back. It looked like a really good book, though. Just not suitable for a 7yo.

Oh, and can I say the Magic Key books? Please, I can take no more....

[CalamitouslyWrong]

DH's aunt and uncle have us a load of noddy books, which I've hidden from DS1. They are dreadfully written and plotted and full of messages I thoroughly disagree with. The one where the gypsies steal noddy's car is a particular low point. I would absolutely call them 'bad' books. We found them almost unreadable, to be honest.

DS2 adores beast quest. Neither DH nor I enjoy reading them to him, but he gets such joy out of them and spends so long discussing them with us that we really can't complain.

Horrid Henry has a horrible effect on ds2.

[CalamitouslyWrong]

Hidden from ds2. Ds1 is nearly 14 and in no way interested in noddy.

Ds1 reads just about anything, but there is some unbelievable drivel out there in YA literature. He's able to talk about why it's drivel though. And particularly the problems when authors get entirely the wrong stick about what a 'strong female character' actually is. Hint: it's not someone so super special (despite not being at all interesting) that two incredibly special and handsome make characters will devote the rest of their lives to fighting over her/be willing to die for her no matter what she does. And then when she choses one over the other, the rejected one will hang around forever hoping she'll change her mind/just being happy with whatever scraps of attention she'll throw him.

[TheNightIsDark]

Actually scrap that. The mr men books are bad. They make me suicidal. As do biff chip and fucking kipper. DD (3) is obsessed. Every single night she chooses one despite having shelves of lovely books.

[CalamitouslyWrong]

If you find original versions of the noddy books they'll probably make you suicidal too.

[yomellamoHelly]

Horrid Henry books. Small children too small to understand how horrible his behaviour is and replicate it.
Personally don't enjoy books where there's no hidden depth, pictures aren't fab etc so nothing extra really to talk about. They tend to get left on the shelf.

[Nocomet]

Lord of the Flies. No one of any age should be forced to read it!

DDs aren't keen on a lot of Michele Marpogoue (so) for similar reasons to much death and misery.

DD1 couldn't be arsed with Jackie W, to much real life. DD2 loved them.

Since from 12 I devoured adult thrillers I'm not qualified to say much.

[TheNightIsDark]

We love Horrid Henry here it makes my DCs seem like angels. My naughty little sister isn't much better. The sister telling the story is never cross or naughty.

I collect books I enjoyed and save them for the DCs. Also if I see any mentioned on here. I have a notebook and a whole little system worked out

[PomBearWithAnOFRS]

Horrid Henry is the only character I have ever "banned" - we don't watch it on TV, and we don't have the books in the house. I detest it with every fibre of my being !
I'm not over-fond of Jacqueline Wilson either, I read all of hers before DD is allowed to read them as the content and suitability vary wildly from book to book and it's nigh on impossible to tell without actually reading the whole book.