CCBC-Net Archives
Caldecott Discussion and the audience
- Contemporary messages sorted: [ by date ] [ by subject ] [ by author ]
From: Marc Aronson <75664.3110>
Date: Thu, 5 Feb 1998 16:37:56 -0500
Audience does not define taste. Audience defines popularity. The two are very, very different. I think the problem here is that, by the rules, this is an award for distinguished ahievement, but in practice it means every library should own it. At that point, individual librarians, or teachers, or parents, want it to be a prize for best liked, or most useful, or best way to get kids reading. Those are important values, they are just not literary or aesthetic values. In practice, I think committees swing back and forth between these poles, in some years leaning towards holding up examples of excellence adults and children can learn to appreciate. In others, leaning towards books that will be instantly beloved. That is the nature of the beast in setting anything up as of special value for children.
Marc Aronson
Received on Thu 05 Feb 1998 03:37:56 PM CST
Date: Thu, 5 Feb 1998 16:37:56 -0500
Audience does not define taste. Audience defines popularity. The two are very, very different. I think the problem here is that, by the rules, this is an award for distinguished ahievement, but in practice it means every library should own it. At that point, individual librarians, or teachers, or parents, want it to be a prize for best liked, or most useful, or best way to get kids reading. Those are important values, they are just not literary or aesthetic values. In practice, I think committees swing back and forth between these poles, in some years leaning towards holding up examples of excellence adults and children can learn to appreciate. In others, leaning towards books that will be instantly beloved. That is the nature of the beast in setting anything up as of special value for children.
Marc Aronson
Received on Thu 05 Feb 1998 03:37:56 PM CST
