From: Brian & Jen, Meg & Ethan <brewcheese>
Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:10:20 -0500

I was interested at the number of times the establishment - publishers, editors, librarians, etc - seemed to thumb their collective noses at reading material they didn't feel was quality literature. Three examples come to mind: the rise of comic book popularity, Little Golden Books, and the president's (Eisenhower?) love of westerns.

Only one person showed a curiosity at what made comic books so popular with kids, while others only gave them passing consideration and a quick dismissal. Golden Books got books into many homes that normally wouldn't have them by offering them cheaply and in a comfortable place for moms. I remember begging my mom to get me a book from that spinning, wire rack while waiting in line for a prescription at the drug store on days I stayed home sick from school. When the president gave glowing statement of Children's Book Week (?) organizers thanked him profusely, used the statement boldly, then laughed at his love of westerns quietly behind his back.

Now we have graduate classes on using comics in the classroom and a exploding market for graphic novels. Cheap books are available in Kohl's and Menards and Best Buy (of all places!). And the president's wife is a former librarian with a new picture book of her own. Mr. Marcus, any theories on this change?

My apologies for not remembering some names and details. I read it a month ago and my copy has long been returned to the library. (I'd better also apologize for returning it late.)

Brian
Received on Wed 30 Jul 2008 01:10:20 PM CDT