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Rylant's Books for Older Readers: Questions?
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From: Megan Schliesman <Schliesman>
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1998 09:27:08 -0500
About A Fine White Dust, Edie Danieli wrote: "I decided that it wasn't the issue of religion [that children might relate to]. It was really the issue of a child's idol disappointing him or her. The Preacher Man can be anybody from a Scout Leader to a camp councilor or teacher who has made promises of doing something with a child and making that child feel worthwhile, accepted for his differences. The child feels important in the idol's eyes and then finds that he is not important at all. The disappointment and heartbreak is overwhelming. Pete says they are his "Dark Days" which all of us have experienced. But do you think young people will see this connection or do you think that the topic of religion will be too central for them to see around it?"
I think that Edie has provided a fine analysis of what children can relate to in the book, but can anyone who has talked about the book with young people respond to her inquiry?
When we hold monthly book discussions at the CCBC, we always begin by sharing what we appreciate about each book on our discussion list, and then we invite individuals to raise any concerns or questions that they have about a book. Edie's question reminds me that as we talk about the many things we appreciate about the books of Cynthia Rylant, some of us may have questions or concerns about some of her works, just as Edie does. Please feel free to raise those questions as part of this discussion.
For example, The Van Gogh Cafe and The Islander are two of Rylant's books that I appreciate greatly for all of the reasons people have already stated so eloquently, yet I did have concerns about their appeal to child readers. These quiet books of magic and wonder hold a lot of comfort for me as an adult, but do they resonate for children? In the course of this discussion over the past two weeks, however, my concerns have been put to rest as some of you have shared how children you know have responded to these works.
In this case, my concern was quelled before I had a chance to raise it in the discussion, and, as is often the case, I have come away with an even deeper, richer appreciation for the works.
Megan Schliesman (schliesman at mail.soemadison.wisc.edu) Cooperative Children's Book Center School of Education UW-Madison 600 N. Park St., Room 4290 Madison, WI 53706 608&2?03
Received on Fri 24 Jul 1998 09:27:08 AM CDT
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1998 09:27:08 -0500
About A Fine White Dust, Edie Danieli wrote: "I decided that it wasn't the issue of religion [that children might relate to]. It was really the issue of a child's idol disappointing him or her. The Preacher Man can be anybody from a Scout Leader to a camp councilor or teacher who has made promises of doing something with a child and making that child feel worthwhile, accepted for his differences. The child feels important in the idol's eyes and then finds that he is not important at all. The disappointment and heartbreak is overwhelming. Pete says they are his "Dark Days" which all of us have experienced. But do you think young people will see this connection or do you think that the topic of religion will be too central for them to see around it?"
I think that Edie has provided a fine analysis of what children can relate to in the book, but can anyone who has talked about the book with young people respond to her inquiry?
When we hold monthly book discussions at the CCBC, we always begin by sharing what we appreciate about each book on our discussion list, and then we invite individuals to raise any concerns or questions that they have about a book. Edie's question reminds me that as we talk about the many things we appreciate about the books of Cynthia Rylant, some of us may have questions or concerns about some of her works, just as Edie does. Please feel free to raise those questions as part of this discussion.
For example, The Van Gogh Cafe and The Islander are two of Rylant's books that I appreciate greatly for all of the reasons people have already stated so eloquently, yet I did have concerns about their appeal to child readers. These quiet books of magic and wonder hold a lot of comfort for me as an adult, but do they resonate for children? In the course of this discussion over the past two weeks, however, my concerns have been put to rest as some of you have shared how children you know have responded to these works.
In this case, my concern was quelled before I had a chance to raise it in the discussion, and, as is often the case, I have come away with an even deeper, richer appreciation for the works.
Megan Schliesman (schliesman at mail.soemadison.wisc.edu) Cooperative Children's Book Center School of Education UW-Madison 600 N. Park St., Room 4290 Madison, WI 53706 608&2?03
Received on Fri 24 Jul 1998 09:27:08 AM CDT
