From: Monica R. Edinger <Monica_R._Edinger>
Date: Fri, 22 May 1998 05:44:00 GMT

I wonder, is it is the ironic qualities of "The Secret Knowledge of Grown-Ups" that some consider more appealing to adults than children? In fact, I've found that my fourth graders are very much aware and able to appreciate irony in literature. Many picture books done for older children are chock full of ironic references and they love that. The book is full of references, some of which the children totally get and some of which are simply funny. For example, the atomic cow. My kids thought that was quite funny. Now, I don't know if they thought it was ironically funny (as I did, recollecting my 60's childhood), but they did think it was hilarious. Does anyone have any ideas about the development of an ironic understanding in children? Is that what makes these sorts of picture books for older children rather than younger ones?

Monica Edinger The Dalton School New York edinger at dalton.org

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