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Bookshelves in the Kids’ Room: How to Select Excellent Books for Your Children
We are in a battle, a battle in which the forces of darkness are pitted against the forces of righteousness. Christ knows we are in this battle. He has provided us with armor, and He has promised victory. The trouble is that so many Christians do not believe we will win; so many of us have an escapist orientation. But we must continue to fight with every fiber of our being and in every area of our lives. Through Christ alone, we can be confident of victory.
Nowhere in our American culture is this battle more apparent than in the field of children’s literature. From their earliest years, children learn to distinguish truth from falsehood; they constantly talk about the “good guys” and the “bad guys,” the “good fairy” and the “bad fairy.” However, they need guidance and nurturing. You do not simply talk to a child about being good, although you do this constantly; you also read to him or you give him books to read that help him to understand the difference between right and wrong and the consequences of both good and bad behavior. It is apparent to any thoughtful person that themes about good and evil are at the heart of many of the best children’s books. [Many examples are discussed.] Via books, a child’s understanding of right and wrong is significantly impacted.
[The pervasive and pernicious influence of television is discussed.]
We are fast becoming an illiterate people. Our minds have become passive and image dominated because of the impact of visual media especially television. Obviously, children are particularly vulnerable to this reversal of values. Their imaginations and moral values are becoming increasingly corrupted not only by television programs but by the new juvenile literature. Books currently written for children are preoccupied with the occult and with perceptions of good and evil that are blurred and at times downright inverted. During the last thirty years, there has been a pagan invasion of children’s literature. Most current children’s literature is, at best, mediocre. Many children’s authors who write exclusively for children are churning out books that are poorly written, trite, and often extremely offensive.
[Many specific problems in the field of children’s literature are discussed and examples given.]
[Books for young people of all ages from Pre-K to high school are evaluated and discussed, as well as the task of making age-appropriate choices.]
We want our children to love reading. God chose to reveal Himself to us through a Book, and He gives parents the responsibility and the joy of inculcating in our children the life-long love of reading.
© 2007 Elizabeth McCallum
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