Dr Seuss, and the World of Dick and Jane
Six books have been removed from further publication by the folks at Dr. Seuss Enterprises and caused something of an furor. Problems like this have been with us forever. In 1970, Alison Lurie (photo), wrote a wonderful article for the NY Review of Books entitled Fairy Tale Liberation. This was the same year that she joined the Cornell University English Department to teach children's literature. Lurie was also a multi-award winning novelist, including the Pulitzer prize for her novel, Foreign Affairs, in 1985. She also wrote Boys and Girls Forever (2003), a classic book about children's literature. Below, is an excerpt from Lurie's Fairy Tale Liberation, still very relevant today.
Fairy Tale Liberation
"When I was small it was believed in high-minded progressive circles that fairy tales were unsuitable for children. . . Does not ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ delay a child’s rationalizing of the world and leave him longer than is desirable without the beginnings of scientific standards?” as one child education expert, Lucy Sprague Mitchell, put it. . . Mrs. Mitchell’s own contribution to literature was a squat volume, sunny orange in color, with an idealized city scene on the cover. Inside I could read about The Grocery Man (“This is John’s Mother. Good Morning, Mr. Grocery Man”) and How Spot Found a Home. The children and parents in these stories were exactly like the ones I knew, only more boring. They never did anything really wrong, and nothing dangerous or surprising ever happened to them—no more than it did to Dick and Jane, whom I and my friends were soon to meet in first grade.
After we grew up, of course, we found out how unrealistic these stories had been. The simple, pleasant adult society they had prepared us for did not exist. The fairy tales had been right all along—the world was full of hostile, stupid giants and perilous castles and people who abandoned their children in the nearest forest. To succeed in this world you needed some special skill or patronage, plus remarkable luck; and it didn’t hurt to be very good-looking. The other qualities that counted were wit, boldness, stubborn persistence, and an eye for the main chance. Kindness to those in trouble was also advisable—you never knew who might be useful to you later on. . ."
Here is a link to Subversion In The Forest, the Guardian review by Michael Rosen of Boys and Girls Forever.
Here is a link to Alison Lurie's article, Fairy Tale Liberation, in the NY Review of Books
The illustration at the top of Snow White and Rose Red is by Mercer Meyer.
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"A fairytale doesn’t exist in a fixed form; it’s something like a tune that can migrate from a symphony to a penny whistle."
Excerpted from Marina Warner’s Once Upon a Time: A Short History of Fairy Tale.
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Wonder Tales Always Change With Time
In early versions, Rapunzel's long hair allowed her royal lover to climb the tower for romance -- until she became pregnant. This was in the original story by the Grimms in their celebrated first book (1812). By 1857, the connubial bliss and the pregnancy were changed, rewritten and eliminated. References involving sex were censored. Rapunzel no longer became pregnant -- with twins, no less. The Grimms often felt pressure to conform pagan tales. In this case, conservative forces had spoken and prevailed.
Disney, the master of sugar coating fairy tales, made many more changes to the story of Rapunzel. In the movie Tangled, based on Rapunzel, her parents are now rich, her Prince is now a charming bandit, and the enchantress, Goethel, now steals Rapunzel away from her parents. Among other differences from the original include the facts that there is no magic flower, and her hair does not have magical or healing powers.
The information about the Disney movie Tangled is from the website Disneyfication: The Consequences
The illustration of Rapunzel and the Prince is Trina Schart Hyman.
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Censorship
"The history of children’s book publishing in America offers insight into the ways in which traditional attitudes about “appropriate” stories often end up marginalizing the lives and experiences of many young readers, rather than protecting them. . .The distinction between books that have inspired calls for censorship (including series like Nancy Drew and The Hunger Games) versus the works that more often have actually been kept out of children’s hands (Huckleberry Finn, To Kill A Mockingbird, the novels of Judy Blume) reveals the insidious effects of this tradition. . ." Paul Ringel, The Atlantic
The Illustration of Huckelberry Finn and Jim on their raft is by Thomas Hart Benton.
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Dr Seuss and Other Dangerous Influences
I have questions of my own to add to the many that have already been asked of Dr. Seuss Enterprises regarding their recent decision to remove six books from the world of children's literature. Was their committee a true cross-section of opinion from qualified and diverse people? And, even if it was a top notch group of well-informed people. why not revise what they regarded as offensive or dangerous material -- both words and illustrations? Revisions have always been an integral part of both oral and written children's literature.
The wonderful Richard Scary, creator of Busytown and What Do People Do All Day did exactly that. He made several revisions in his work. For example, A Bear Policeman became A Female Bear Police Officer. Even Roald Dahl, the imaginative but often cantankerous author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, although he vehemently resisted critics, ultimately made changes.
On the left is the offensive illustration from And to Think I Saw It On Mulberry Street. I find it hard to believe that this book will never again be published because this illustration insults Asians and will cause bigotry amongst young readers! If the management at Dr Seuss Enterprises really believe that this is a dangerous illustration, then change it (Try clicking it for a better image).
Here is a link to a comprehensive NYT article on the Seuss controversy by Alexandra Alta and Elizabeth Harris.
The illustration from "And To Think I Saw It On Mulberry Street" is by Dr. Seuss.
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Babar Was Accused
I was astounded to recently learn that in 1996, scholar, educator, and prolific writer, Herbert R. Kohl, published a book, Should We Burn Babar? I was further amazed to find that the review in Publisher's Weekly cited Kohl's book as a "bracing critique of children's books and U.S. public schools" which found "Jean de Brunhoff's Babar the Elephant and Carlo Collodi's Pinocchio. . . illustrate tacit support for sexism, racism and colonialism."
How could this be? I read Babar books to my children. And grandchildren. In our family we consider Babar books to be quite wonderful. I fail to understand Kohl's point of view.
Alternatively, I found the article, Freeing the Elephants, by the New Yorker writer and critic Adam Gopnik, to be insightful and spot on.
The illustration of Babar and Celeste is by Jean de Brunhoff,
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"You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax all you need is a book!” – Dr. Seuss
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Are Those Young Girls Safe With That Bear?
If the critics of Dr Seuss, Barbar, and Huckleberry Finn see the illustration of Snow White and Rose Red with a powerful looking bear at the top of this page, will they write that it places children in danger? When the bear knocked on their door seeking shelter from brutal winter weather, should they -- or their mother -- have sent him on his way?
And what of the father in East of the Sun, West of the Moon? What should he have done when the bear knocked on the door and what should he have done when his young daughter rode off into the unknown on the huge white bear?
Should we banish Jackie Morris and her moving book of The Ice Bear?
Is there a censorious critic anywhere who would dare to confront Phillip Pullman with the idea of changing the story of Lyra and Iorek, the great Alpha bear, in The Golden Compass? Isn't she taking her life in her hands with her behavior when she goes alone and confronts the ruthless bear king? However, critics, both individuals and organizations, ignored the danger of the bear(s) but did manage to ban his book, and the film version on religious grounds. According to an article in Esquire, "It was No. 8 overall for the decade stretching from 2000-2009 on the ALA’s Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books list. (The Harry Potter series claimed the top spot.)"
These questions -- never mind Goldilock's behavior -- are not absurd given the conservative, self-righteous, hubris of the past.
The top illustration is by Jackie Morris.
The illustration of Lyra riding the bear, Iorek, is from the film of the Golden Compass.
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Should Young Readers Be Allowed To Confront the Brutalities of the Holocaust?
Jane Yolen wrote a compelling Holocaust novel for adults that also appealed to young adults. Yolen's Briar Rose (1992) was based on her revised version of Sleeping Beauty. Yolen's story is that of a quest to uncover brutal events of the past by a young American woman. This is a deeply moving story, based on real events that took place at a Nazi extermination camp based in an abandoned castle in Chelmno, Poland. Briar Rose, dealing with the horrendous events of the past in this way is a triumph of honest sensitivity.
Briar Rose was lauded as a wonderful book. It was also criticized and censored. Ms. Yolen had previously written another Holocaust novel, The Devils Arithmetic. RoseEtta Stone has a very interesting interview with Jane Yolen about Censorship and her Holocaust books. Excerpt: "Because there is a homosexual character in the book, the novel has been banned in some places, and actually burned in Kansas City on the steps of the Board Of Education by a right-wing religious group. I do not believe they read the book."
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The Erasure of Safety and Comfort and Trust
Movies
Raya and the Last Dragon
There is a new Disney Movie that has good reviews. I haven't see this movie, Raya and the Last Dragon. It is doubtful that I will see it. The trailer is very well done, however the film appears to be another predictable saga of sugar-coated violence.
I prefer Miyazaki's films. Many also have scenes of war, danger, and violence, but somehow strike a balance for the viewer.
Link to trailer: Raya and the Last Dragon
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Wonderful Independent Animation
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I Want To Be The Ocean
Identity amidst a Flood.
Abstract yet tangible; Choices and doubts.
Written, directed by Raman Dijafari; Sound design by Max Gausepohi.
Produced by Blink Ink for Adult Swim - Off the Air.
Link: I Want To Be The Ocean Time 1.06
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The Colors That Combine To Make White Are Important
From Another World.
Unknown surreal, Beyond the boundary.
Barry Doupe. nh
Link: The Colors That Combine To Make White Are Important Time:1:09
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11th Great Iranian Animation Celebration
Stylish, Abstract.
Perceptions become movement.
Created bt Mehdi Shiri.
Link: The11th Great Iranian Animation Celebration Time: .56
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New Children's Book That Delights In Words Through Art
A book filled with imagination and surprises where words and illustrations are in total harmony, balancing a delightful adventure with words and ideas. A book for young and old to delight in. I was smiling as I read it.
Written by Robert Vencio and illustrated by Joanna Bartel. Published by EK Books, a division of the innovative Exisile Publishing, a global press based in New Zealand and Australia.
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Ariel Wulff's Misfits
" I was belly laughing on the first page. Lammy Lamb is a compulsive foot licker! This short book is so full of love and creative, tender animal care that I forgot I was reading a book. I felt like I was in the house with the dogs, at the Halloween Costume Contest and in every other scene. That's great writing, and great content too. The pictures are adorable."
Amazon review by MaryAnn Fry, Author of Going Naked Being Seen
Here is link to Parade Of Misfits
Cover design by Ariel Wulff
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"Dog Rescue Charity Linked To Lara Trump Funneling Money Into Donald Trump’s Pocket
The cover illustration is by Jean Lurcat.
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"And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”
Antoine de Saint-Exuprey, The Little Prince
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Hiding Places in the Dark Woods -- from Planet Of The Dogs
The Stone City Warriors will attack Green Valley in the morning when they emerge from the Dark Woods road. The farmers will resist, but alone they will have no chance to stop the invaders. It is up to Daisy and Bean, a sister and brother, and the dogs to stop them. Dogs are new on Planet Earth and only one warrior has seen a dog.
"Meanwhile, the woods became quiet again, and the horses were once again calm. The invaders could not hear Edgar and hundreds of big dogs moving silently through the woods on both sides of the road. . .
They went into hiding places where they could see the road, but they could not be seen. They would smell the approaching army and hear the noise of the many men, horses, and supply wagons long before the warriors reached them."
Excerpted from Planet Of The Dogs Here is a link to read sample chapters
of all the books -- Castle In the Mist, Snow Valley Heroes -- in the Series.
The illustration from Planet Of The Dogs is by Stella Mustanoja McCarty
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"The dog is a gentleman; I hope to go to his heaven, not man's". .. Mark Twain
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