David McKee children's stories

[strangerthanfiction]

Not sure if this is the place for a post about a kids book but I wondered if anyone's child had read any David McKee? My dd's been mad on 'Not Now Bernard' and 'The Monster and the Teddy Bear' and 'Isabel's Noisy Tummy' so I bought her a new one today called ' The Sad Story of Veronica' (or close to that title, it's in her room right now so can't double check) and I find the ending incredibly sad and am almost wondering if it's 'fitting' for a child to read. Wondered what other people think or if I'm being a wimp.

Sorry, STF, haven't come across this one, but know what you mean... We casually bought my dd a book at the service station on our way on holiday, and I realised afterwards that it's yet another of those 'issues' books - about a girl who gets cancer and dies. My dd is 9, an avid reader, but it seems that every other book that she picks up has some devastating message. Don't have a problem with it, per se - terrible things happen and children should be aware of this, but what's wrong with escapism? Why aren't publishers promoting books that mirror the carefree nature of childhood?

Going to the library tomorrow. Will look out for Veronica and let you know if I find her, and what I make of her tragic tale!!

Thanks 3princesses. Well, it's not tragic in the dying of cancer sense (got all that to come!) as it's for much younger kids. Basically it ends with Veronica making all the animals sing and dance by playing her musical instrument which all the humans had shunned. Then a lion appears and eats her as she plays and all the animals lie around crying and that's it. Just thought it was a bit harsh.

Thanks sobernow. Kids do see things differently to adults I know. Dd loves his books, she goes round repeating 'not now, Bernard!' to all her toys etc.

Blimey - sounds a bit heavy for a cosy bedtime story. Is it trying to introduce the idea of mortality, or just saying 'don't mess with lions...'?

3PRINCESSES, I think it's about how adults are unable to enjoy music in the way a child can. Animals can enjoy it too but the lion is deaf so in a way he's like the adults (i.e. can't enjoy music) and instead of telling the girl to go away he eats her and all the animals who can enjoy music are left crying. It's rather moving actually.