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| Hearsay: |
Apparently age guidance ratings for books have gotten Christmas shoppers and booksellers up in arms or confused over in the UK. I can just see that particular slice of automaton parents now. “Sorry, Jimmy. I know you can read like a 10-year-old, but you’re 6 and this book here says 8 and up. Have some Robert Munsch instead of something that may inspire you to actually read more.”
Booksellers on both sides of the age guidance debate have expressed frustration at the introduction of age guidance on children’s books. This will be the first Christmas in which the programme to include age guidance on the back of children’s books has been embedded, following its launch last summer.
The decision by publishers to introduce age guidance followed research for the Publishers Association (PA) showing that parents and gift buyers found it difficult to select age-appropriate books for children. However, not all children’s publishers have taken part in the scheme with companies including Walker Books, Usborne and Bloomsbury abstaining, as well as a number of authors.
I’m sorry, people, but do you know what ACTUALLY makes it difficult for you to select age-appropriate books for children? The fact that you AREN’T BOTHERING TO SPEND TEN MINUTES READING THEM. You’re not retarded and presumably have met your child once or twice. Just open the book and you’ll get a sense of whether it works. A little friggin investment, please.
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December 3rd, 2009 at 10:30 am
And if you’re not the parent, and don’t know the kid very well, all you need to do is shop at a nice independent bookstore instead of a big chain. The staff at the small store probably read books themselves and might have a suggestion or two.
I wonder when they’ll start putting age recommendations on books for adults? Goes with the whole idea of books equalling targeted advertising. Sigh…
December 3rd, 2009 at 11:16 am
The bookmobile which came to my school, eons ago, had age-specific sections. I am extremely grateful to the librarian who let me take out books destined for “the upper grades” when I was in Grade 3. There’s nothing like someone who knows the books she/he sells or stocks and takes the time to determine what is “appropriate.”
A little later my rather conventional mother never checked what I was reading, though: she always said that “no girl was ever ruined by a book” at a time of much brouhaha about the wide distribution of books like Sons and Lovers and Peyton Place.
December 3rd, 2009 at 11:28 am
And then there was passing around “Valley of the Dolls” in grade 7.
December 3rd, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Pardon me, George? We’re actually supposed to spend time with the kid? get to know what he/she reads? pshaw…. What the heck do you know.
December 3rd, 2009 at 11:37 pm
Age guidelines for books? WTF? Why am I suddenly reminded of the PMRC (Parents Music Resource Centre) and their battle cries against rock music. Anyone else remember the Congressional hearings with bands like Twisted Sister and Def Leppard, going up against Tipper Gore and Co.?