From: Becky McDonald <rebeccamcdonald>
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:44:16 -0500

Mr. Marcus and all, this discussion is delightful. MINDERS OF MAKE-BELIEVE allows readers to become insiders. About Nancy Larrick's criticism of Keats for omitting the word "Negro" in the text of THE SNOWY DAY-- Wouldn't the inclusion of the word damage the book's contemporary appeal? As it is, the book is still beloved by children.( I can't figure where the word would have fit into the spare text.) Larrick's distress over the mother's ample size and "gaudy" dress as a racial stereotype makes me wonder if the publishers considered making a change (similar to the change from the African American nanny with a white child in the original version of THE TALL BOOK OF MOTHER GOOSE. Changes in published books are infrequent, as you have said. Any other similar changes come to your mind?

I don't know how to phrase my other question, so feel free to ignore this if it doesn't make sense: Did other medal-winning books that you can recall receive criticism at the time of the award, yet survive the test of time? Thank you.

Becky McDonald I wish this discussion could go on forever!
Received on Tue 22 Jul 2008 11:44:16 AM CDT