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Little Black Sambo
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From: E Berrie <eberrie>
Date: Fri, 1 Nov 1996 22:30:23 -0500 (EST)
I am a new member of this list who has been 'lurking' for a bit and thoroughly enjoying the discussion of 'Sam and the Tigers' et al. Let me introduce myself. I am a retired school library media specialist who refuses to give up the best literature around --- children's books. Therefore I have expanded my modest stamp collecting (U.S. and Canada) hobby to include a topical collection of Children's Literature on World Stamps. This originally occurred to me at the time the U.S. issued the four stamps honoring "Little House on the Prairie", "Little Women", "Huckleberrry Finn", and "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm". Little did I realize what would evolve! It has become a fascinating project taking me back to Children's Lit. 101 and way, way beyond. . . but more about that another time.
Yes indeed, over fifty years ago when I was introduced to LBS it was another favorite story with absolutely no racial or political implications whatsoever. It came as asomething as a shock to me years later when (as a school library miedia specialist) the book became not only controversial but BANNED! And I have to admit even now it is difficult to comprehend the realities of the offences and distress it has obviously caused. It was very heartening to read the October 31st message from MARVYPIG at aol.com --- much the same experience as my own and from the same era.
I like what Margery Fisher had to say: "Every generation brings to the books of the past its own attitudes and beliefs; but nobody has the right to read into books attitudes and beliefs that are not there". She goes on to say "Ideally one could hope that 'Little Black Sambo' could always be read in the way it was orininally written, as a comic and neatly planned cumulative tale whose characters belong to the world of fantasy. . . ." Who's Who in Children's Books / HRW c1975.
I do need help with some research and thus my discovery of this mail list. Anyone interested in helping me with some of the European literature?
Ellen Berrie
Received on Fri 01 Nov 1996 09:30:23 PM CST
Date: Fri, 1 Nov 1996 22:30:23 -0500 (EST)
I am a new member of this list who has been 'lurking' for a bit and thoroughly enjoying the discussion of 'Sam and the Tigers' et al. Let me introduce myself. I am a retired school library media specialist who refuses to give up the best literature around --- children's books. Therefore I have expanded my modest stamp collecting (U.S. and Canada) hobby to include a topical collection of Children's Literature on World Stamps. This originally occurred to me at the time the U.S. issued the four stamps honoring "Little House on the Prairie", "Little Women", "Huckleberrry Finn", and "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm". Little did I realize what would evolve! It has become a fascinating project taking me back to Children's Lit. 101 and way, way beyond. . . but more about that another time.
Yes indeed, over fifty years ago when I was introduced to LBS it was another favorite story with absolutely no racial or political implications whatsoever. It came as asomething as a shock to me years later when (as a school library miedia specialist) the book became not only controversial but BANNED! And I have to admit even now it is difficult to comprehend the realities of the offences and distress it has obviously caused. It was very heartening to read the October 31st message from MARVYPIG at aol.com --- much the same experience as my own and from the same era.
I like what Margery Fisher had to say: "Every generation brings to the books of the past its own attitudes and beliefs; but nobody has the right to read into books attitudes and beliefs that are not there". She goes on to say "Ideally one could hope that 'Little Black Sambo' could always be read in the way it was orininally written, as a comic and neatly planned cumulative tale whose characters belong to the world of fantasy. . . ." Who's Who in Children's Books / HRW c1975.
I do need help with some research and thus my discovery of this mail list. Anyone interested in helping me with some of the European literature?
Ellen Berrie
Received on Fri 01 Nov 1996 09:30:23 PM CST
