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[CCBC-Net] April Part II: The Demise of the Picture Book
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From: Jazmine1283 at aol.com <Jazmine1283>
Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:58:08 EDT
First of all, I want to say thank you for including me in your community. I have recently signed up and am already thrilled at the opportunity to engage in this conversation. It is interesting to consider that picture books would not have the popularity they have today if not for technology, yet technology may be challenging the popularity of picture books today. Without Gutenberg?s invention in 1450, picture books (any books for that matter) would not have experienced the boom
they have. The article in the Economist traces back to the late 19th century and the boom of picture books in England at that time. We have discussed the history of the picture book in my current Children?s Literature course. Notably, we have considered what made the Victorian Era the Golden Age of Children?s Literature. We focused on five main points:
(1) The family unit was becoming stronger and children were given more importance in the family and society.
(2) Technology was rapidly changing allowing books like Peter Rabbit to be printed in color.
(3) Women?s position in society was rising, allowing them to become more respected as writers.
(4) Educational opportunities were increasing. Education even became compulsory in Great Britain.
(5) The middle class was growing and had more money to spend on educational commodities. A phenomenon like the popularity of picture books cannot possibly ebb and flow with no factors contributing to the current. For one thing, the way we treat our children and our family unit is directly related to the popularity of picture books. As has been noted, the baby booms are largely responsible for an increase in demand. However, I would argue that our worldview concerning how we consider these babies is even more responsible. What should they be learning? What do we want them to be thinking about when they grow up? How are we raising our children? I just watched an episode on Oprah where a woman cried because she realized her four year old is addicted to video games. They completed a challenge where they could not use technology for a week. Each evening, the father read to his children from picture books, instead of each family member staring at a
different screen. The family noted a HUGE change in their interactions. I tell this anecdote because I believe we have the power to make sure picture books remain in our lives. I believe that is our challenge. We not only have a responsibility to get the books out there, but also to create an environment where they are welcome. Sure, digital forms of literature have their own appeal. Yet, what can compare to a child sitting on a parent?s lap, helping to turn the pages?
- Kimberly Gotches
**************Need a new ride? Check out the largest site for U.S. used car listings at AOL Autos.
(http://autos.aol.com/used?NCID=aolcmp00300000002851)
Received on Tue 22 Apr 2008 03:58:08 PM CDT
Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:58:08 EDT
First of all, I want to say thank you for including me in your community. I have recently signed up and am already thrilled at the opportunity to engage in this conversation. It is interesting to consider that picture books would not have the popularity they have today if not for technology, yet technology may be challenging the popularity of picture books today. Without Gutenberg?s invention in 1450, picture books (any books for that matter) would not have experienced the boom
they have. The article in the Economist traces back to the late 19th century and the boom of picture books in England at that time. We have discussed the history of the picture book in my current Children?s Literature course. Notably, we have considered what made the Victorian Era the Golden Age of Children?s Literature. We focused on five main points:
(1) The family unit was becoming stronger and children were given more importance in the family and society.
(2) Technology was rapidly changing allowing books like Peter Rabbit to be printed in color.
(3) Women?s position in society was rising, allowing them to become more respected as writers.
(4) Educational opportunities were increasing. Education even became compulsory in Great Britain.
(5) The middle class was growing and had more money to spend on educational commodities. A phenomenon like the popularity of picture books cannot possibly ebb and flow with no factors contributing to the current. For one thing, the way we treat our children and our family unit is directly related to the popularity of picture books. As has been noted, the baby booms are largely responsible for an increase in demand. However, I would argue that our worldview concerning how we consider these babies is even more responsible. What should they be learning? What do we want them to be thinking about when they grow up? How are we raising our children? I just watched an episode on Oprah where a woman cried because she realized her four year old is addicted to video games. They completed a challenge where they could not use technology for a week. Each evening, the father read to his children from picture books, instead of each family member staring at a
different screen. The family noted a HUGE change in their interactions. I tell this anecdote because I believe we have the power to make sure picture books remain in our lives. I believe that is our challenge. We not only have a responsibility to get the books out there, but also to create an environment where they are welcome. Sure, digital forms of literature have their own appeal. Yet, what can compare to a child sitting on a parent?s lap, helping to turn the pages?
- Kimberly Gotches
**************Need a new ride? Check out the largest site for U.S. used car listings at AOL Autos.
(http://autos.aol.com/used?NCID=aolcmp00300000002851)
Received on Tue 22 Apr 2008 03:58:08 PM CDT
