From: Kathleen T. Horning <horning>
Date: Mon, 25 Feb 2008 11:07:46 -0600

James, Celeste, Kathy, and Deborah have each added a very interesting dimension to this discussion, and have helped me to understand what perhaps was behind the decision to publish books I had previously just thought of as "old chestnuts." The idea that unstructured outdoor play is now considered by many adults to be a dangerous thing helps me to understand the titles "The Dangerous Book for Boys" and "The Daring Book for Girls." Thank you for helping me make that connection!

One of my favorite books about childhood is "One Potato, Two Potato: The Secret Education of American Children" by Mary and Herbert Knapp. It's a study of children's play and of children's culture -- the things children teach each other without any adult interference. One of the things the authors emphasize is how children, through their play, are learning about social situations and power structures that mirror those in the adult world. I wonder how and if children are managing to do those sorts of things today in the era of structured, adult-sanctioned activities.

KT

Kathleen T. Horning Director Cooperative Children's Book Center 4290 Helen C. White Hall 600 N. Park St Madison, WI 53706

Phone: 608-263-3721 FAX: 608-262-4933

horning at education.wisc.edu http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/
Received on Mon 25 Feb 2008 11:07:46 AM CST