From: Elliott BatTzedek <ebattzedek>
Date: Fri, 24 Jun 2005 15:31:45 -0400

I've really noticed that many of the books which are translated into English for the U.S. market from Europe or Asia have such a different cultural take on bodily functions -- much more relaxed, seeing them as part of daily life but not such a source of humor (and, of course, laughter often comes from situations in which we are uncomfortable). I've seen a lot of great books from publishers like Kane/Miller which I know I can't put into U.S. classrooms because the teachers would so disapprove of the bodily references even though, within the actual book, these are not the main point or the focus of humor. Clearly a big cultural divide...

I heard Mem Fox tell a great story once about her picture book "Boo to a Goose": some U.S. parent had written to her web site, complaining mightily about the text
"I would run around town with my pants falling down" with its paper-cut illustration showing a bare butt. Mem's husband emailed back, suggesting that, considering the role of the U.S. government and corporations in spreading war, pollution, sweatshops, etc., around the globe, he thought the parent ought really to have many more pressing concerns about her children than viewing a perfectly natural bare bottom.

Elliott batTzedek Children's Literacy Initiative
Received on Fri 24 Jun 2005 02:31:45 PM CDT