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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Am I right to be appalled by ancient tatty reading books?

32 replies

chixinthestix · 03/02/2010 22:26

My dd in reception brought home a reading book today that was published in 1986. All the pages have been sellotaped back in and are so old they feel like old bank notes. They are the same books my ds had 2 yrs ago (and obviously many many other kids before). The scheme is Ginn 360. Some of the pics in them are so old fashioned my dd can't work out what they are. My dd is bright and I don't doubt she'll learn to read no matter the state of the books but I can't help thinking that this is really poor. Should I talk to her teachers about this?

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Coca · 03/02/2010 22:28

Could you do some fundraising then?

cakeywakey · 03/02/2010 22:31

Ah I remember the Reading 360 series. I agree with Coca that it's worth bringing up with the teachers and asking if it's something that could be fundraised for to update them. Unless they're not published anymore? If the books are still in readable condition though, they may think you're being a bit precious TBH. Sorry.

pointydog · 03/02/2010 22:31

yeah, talk to the school. Might make them re-channel a little bit of their budget.

Although there's nothing wrong with using the same books as two years ago. They'll need to use the books a lot more than two years.

Pancakeflipper · 03/02/2010 22:32

we have the same reading scheme amongst others though ours sound to be in better condition. Though I still get the urge to spray them with dettol.

They cost a fortune so as PP says fundraising may provide newer books.

Original poster

chixinthestix · 03/02/2010 22:36

Gladly but plenty of nice new toys and equipment in the class room makes me think reading seems to be low on the list of priorities and its that I feel uncomfortable about. Its taken ds till Y2 to get into reading - his current teacher has invested in new books for boys but till now he's struggled with these old books.

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thisisyesterday · 03/02/2010 22:37

can you read the words? can you talk her through the pictures?

if yes, then you have nothing to complain about

what has changed so much since 1986 that she can't work out what they are?? (genuine question btw!!)

displayuntilbestbefore · 03/02/2010 22:38

Our school uses those 360 books sometimes but they aren't falling apart. They have a much loved, worn feel to them but it adds to the charm and dcs enjoy them as they do any other book tbh.
Agree that a bit of fundraising might be in order if your school is sending dcs home with books that are sellotaped together!

displayuntilbestbefore · 03/02/2010 22:39

fwiw I don't think a book published in 1986 could be called ancient

Veritythebrave · 03/02/2010 22:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

chixinthestix · 03/02/2010 22:42

Sorry crossing messages - pointy, the books have been used since the 1980s, over 20 yrs, not just the 2 that I've been involved. I guess I need to bite the bullet and talk to the teacher....

OP posts:

Coca · 03/02/2010 22:43

Or take him to a library to choose books he likes the look of if motivation is a problem

Original poster

chixinthestix · 03/02/2010 23:00

Thanks all - maybe I am being a bit precious, but genuinely dd could not work out what the 1970s hairdressers shop, pop band and shop were in her book last week. They read loads at home but some kids don't so these books could be all they see outside school which I think is a shame. Maybe I need to talk to Head rather than class teacher.

OP posts:

Coca · 03/02/2010 23:02

Sorry, my posts look a little ratty...does toothache excuse it?

bruffin · 03/02/2010 23:10

"DD spent a short while at my old infant school. While there she brought a roger red hat book home book with a school name and date stamped in with the year I started school! I actually remembered having the book as well. "

DCs school had them as well and I read them in the late 1960's!

notimetoshop · 03/02/2010 23:15

I don't think the content would necessarily be a problem. The Tiger who came to Tea is still fine for us with its delivery boy - just like the Tesco man. But the condition is a bit.... well, I sympathise. You want your child to learn that reading is important and fun and grown-up, and giving them a tatty book doesn't really give that message. But, of course, there are cost implications.

MerlinsBeard · 04/02/2010 08:30

Why would you insist on brand new books? DS1&2 have amixture of Reading books. Some fairly new biff and kipper and some ancient ginn ones too. It's not just the 1986 ones that ripped

fwiw DS1 has developed an interest in "how things were" from a particularly ancient Reading book!!

fernie3 · 04/02/2010 09:27

dont worry the reading book my daughter brought home a while ago had the first half of one book and the second half of another selloptaped inside lol.

OneMoreCupofCoffee · 04/02/2010 09:51

We have lots of very old books too. Fiction is fine, kids don't notice too much - even when they are taped together but the non- fiction books are not quite so timeless.
The way the information is presented is very old-fashioned, the photo's look like 1970's postcards - which might be interesting to see how they used to present information the first time but line of interest soon wears thin and you can tell that the kids are less inclined to want to read these books too.

Veritythebrave · 04/02/2010 09:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SeaTrek · 04/02/2010 11:30

My son's school are gradually changing their books to newer ones. I know they have commited a lot of money but the amount of cash is vast for a really good, multi-scheme, book band system.

I bought some new ones and donated them after my son had read them, and they were very appreciative of that. It looked like hardly anything but it was still about £50 worth.

My son really likes many of the older sellotaped books though, but I do agree - there needs to be a good amount of nice modern ones, too.

Lizcat · 04/02/2010 13:37

Last night my DD came home with a book published in 1973, it had been cared for (cover laminated etc). We have also had roger red hat and jennifer yellow hat too along with a range of brand spanking new books.
The school have tried to keep the best of the old books and choose the best of the current books avaliable.
I enjoy the old books discussing with DD what things were like when I was a little girl.

Cakehead · 04/02/2010 13:39

My DD brought home a book from 1986 about school in which a naughty boy was made to stand on his chair for a lesson! She's only in reception and I had to explain 'that doesn't really happen anymore...'!

coppertop · 04/02/2010 13:44

Are all the reading books tatty or just the ones that are sent home? It might be that they only send home the older ones because people keep losing or damaging the newer ones.

lovecheese · 04/02/2010 13:45

I suppose you have to assume that if 20+ year old books are still doing the rounds then they must have "proved" themselves, otherwise they would have been ditched, IYKWIM!

MerlinsBeard · 05/02/2010 12:21

From another angle - you can explain that it means a lot of children have enjoyed it and encourage excitement of reading that way

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