I have wanted to post for some time on one of our blogs my feelings about reading and book choices offered children today. Years ago, before the idea of homeschooling ever entered our minds, my husband and I ran into a really telling situation at a used book store. I was browsing through the children's section and overheard a conversation between two school teachers. They were buying all the Goosebump story books they could. The shelves were full of classics (and I'm not talking about Don Quixote, but wonderful children's authors like Robert McCloskey). Unfortunately, I could not hold my tongue and made a comment about their choices. They were incensed, of course, but the only reply they could muster was something to the effect, "well, does it matter as long as they are reading?" Oh dear. Yes, it does matter what our children are reading.
We have stayed away from the Harry Potter and Twilight books. These series deal with sorcery, witchcraft, vampires and a host of other ungodly creatures and topics. If you visit a large retail book store, look at the teen books--they are all about vampires (no Lucy Maud Montgomery anywhere) and sexuality. The covers are horrific and often extremely suggestive. Yes, it does matter what our children are reading.
We are viewed as odd by many close to us, but that is really ok. Michael and I are responsible for guiding our children's choices until they can make those choices themselves. I am proud of what they read: the boys read the classics: yes, John Thomas is reading Don Quixote, and will then begin Dickens' The Pickwick Papers. We have read Mark Twain, Dickens, and Robert Louis Stevenson classics together, and independently, they have read so many classic works of children's literature. Virginia loves Catherine Marshall and Carolyn Keene! She has read everything by Mrs. Marshall she can find, and also loves the classic Nancy Drew stories. She is working her way through the Betsy-Tacy books by Maud Hart Lovelace.
Yes, it does matter what our children are reading.
Scripture, as always, states this best:
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Philippians 4:8
An excellent post! As you know, I browse through used books for sale often and I can tell just by the illustrations on most whether it is something I should even pick up! It surely does matter what any of us read. I did not discover the Betsy-Tacy books until after I married and I love them!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mildred. You know, there are quite a number of BEtsy-Tacy fans out there these days. I didn't discover Anne of Green Gables until 1995!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you about the difference our reading choices make. I love Philippians 4:8 and also Romans 12:2. Great post.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all that and it is a shame I can't put more of my thoughts into my work place. I "sneak" things in like some of the classic L M Montgomery books and more contemporary books written by christian authors etc. I still have to buy Twilight too but at least I make sure there are options. I hear those same comments from teachers all the time. "At least they are reading" but like you said it does matter what they read. It can lead to a lot of heart ache and needs for repenting but that is for another post. ;)
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