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Later this month the book "Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope" will be published by Simon & Schuster. Nikki Grimes, a children's author and poet, wrote enthusiastically on her website that a book usually takes her 3-6 months to write, but in this case she "miraculously" finished it in just two weeks. It is full of rhyming verses, descriptions of the exotic countries that little Obama visited, and conversation "Barry" the kid holds with hope. Even God himself talks to Barry while he's in church on Sunday, telling him: "Look around you. Now look to me. There is...

While tar baby can be used as a racist attack on black people, it isn't used that way in any of these examples. John Kerry used it in the same manner as John McCain and Mitt Romney. I, for the first time, find myself coming to the defense of John Kerry. He isn't racist because of what he said here (but he is still an elitist windbag.) The fact is this: You are being played, and those playing you for a fool rely on your ignorance. Pick up a copy of "The Complete Tales of Uncle Remus" by Joel Chandler...

Safety warnings a new chapter for fairytales By Elissa Lawrence July 13, 2008 12:01am Article from: Sunday Mail (SA) TEACHERS are being urged to give children safety messages after reading them fairytales warning not to copy characters such as Little Red Riding Hood, Goldilocks and Hansel and Gretel. A new child protection curriculum being implemented by the Education Department also requires teachers to refer to children's "sexual parts" and use their correct anatomical names with children as young as three. Child development experts have backed the measures, but critics believe they are an example of political correctness overkill that could...

"My Mommy Wears Combat Boots," was written by Sgt. 1st Class Sharon G. McBride before her second deployment, partly to explain to her daughter why she would be gone. The book was published in February. Photo by courtesy WASHINGTON (Army News Service, May 8, 2008) - A new children's book, written by a former Soldier and single mother, helps to explain why mom deployed and how to cope with the emotions associated with her departure. "My Mommy Wears Combat Boots," written by Sgt. 1st Class Sharon G. McBride, is geared to young children and toddlers to help explain why mom...

A Markham firm has been sent hopping to yank a Valentine version of the Happy Bunny book series after a mother complained of its "disturbing" messages. Scholastic Canada Ltd. yesterday said it was responding to Tina Dale's objection after her daughter Emily, 8, brought home It's Happy Bunny: I (Love) Me Valentines, by Detroit author Jim Benton. Some of the 36 pull-out stickers include references to "floating face down in a river"; "Wow! You're icky! Would some candy make you feel better about that?"; "I think you're the best. (The best I can do for now.)"; "I know how you...

Haven't been on here for a couple years. I was lucky to even remember my user name and password. Here's the help I need: I remember a couple of times on Christmas I read a story, namely Ramona and The Three Wise Persons to my kids. I would like to do so again this year but have no idea what book or story anthology it would possibly be in. I was at a used book store yesterday and the gentleman searched on amazon to no avail. Anybody ever heard of this story or know where I could get it?

Politically-correct publishers are censoring children's books because of fears over health and safety, according to a leading author. Lindsey Gardiner, who has written and illustrated 15 children's books, claims publishers banned youngsters from walking alone in one novel and removed sharp objects from another. Her latest book, Who Wants A Dragon?, originally featured a dragon toasting marshmallows on flames from his nostrils as he sat around a campfire. She said her publishers insisted that she change the scene because "it looks dangerous and goes against health and safety." Miss Gardiner, 36, who is based in Dundee, said: "It does seem...

PC publishers ban dragon from breathing fire in children's book... because it's too dangerousBy KURT BAYER and JAMES TAPPER - More by this author » Last updated at 00:35am on 18th November 2007A leading children's author was told to drop a fire-breathing dragon shown in a new book - because the publishers feared they could be sued under health and safety regulations. It is just one of the politically correct cuts Lindsey Gardiner says she has been told to make in case youngsters act out the stories. As well as the scene showing her dragon toasting marshmallows with his...

Madeleine L’Engle, award-winning author of many children’s and science-fiction books, including “A Wrinkle in Time,” has died of natural causes in Connecticut, accordintg to her publisher. She was 88. L’Engle wrote in many genres over an incredibly productive lifetime, but “Wrinkle” is the book that made her name. Published in 1963, it won the Newberry Award for children’s literature, and according to the New York Times, had sold more than 6 million copies by 2004. That’s not quite up to “Harry Potter” numbers, but for several generations, “A Wrinkle in Time” was sort of our “Harry Potter.” I first encountered...

If literature truly reflects society, then the end of the Harry Potter series spells trouble for us all. Because, after 10 years, 4,195 pages, and over 325 million copies, J.K. Rowling's towering achievement lacks the cornerstone of almost all great children's literature: the hero's moral journey. Without that foundation, her story – for all its epic trappings of good versus evil – is stuck in a moral no man's land. To be clear: This isn't a critique of Ms. Rowling's values. It's a recognition of a disturbing trend in commercial storytelling and Western society. For those who've yet to finish...

Meg Rosoff has won Britain's most prestigious prize in children's literature today with her novel written for teenagers about death, depression and sex. The American-born author, who now lives in London, was awarded the CILIP Carnegie Medal for her second book, Just In Case. She joins the ranks of distinguished writers including CS Lewis, Eleanor Farjeon and David Almond who have won the coveted award, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. Later today the greatest Carnegie-winning author will be announced. The Carnegie of Carnegie’s author was chosen by the public from a shortlist of ten, that included Mary Norton,...

Pinocchio and friends converted to Islam Malcolm Moore in Antalya (Filed: 31/08/2006) Pinocchio, Tom Sawyer and other characters have been converted to Islam in new versions of 100 classic stories on the Turkish school curriculum. "Give me some bread, for Allah's sake," Pinocchio says to Geppetto, his maker, in a book stamped with the crest of the ministry of education. "Thanks be to Allah," the puppet says later. advertisement In The Three Musketeers, D'Artagnan is told that he cannot visit Aramis. The reason would surprise the author, Alexandre Dumas. An old woman explains: "He is surrounded by men of religion....

I have just spent two hours on line and combing through a Children's Poetry book for inspirational poems which could be used in the classroom. I have a list of ONE!!! Does anyone else have an idea for a poem other than "If" which can be used?And PLEASE don't suggest those vapid, nonsense works from Shel Silverstein. Thanks to all who wish to make a contribution.

Let Sleeping Beauties Lie By Dorothea Israel WolfsonPosted August 2, 2006This essay appeared in the Summer 2006 issue of the Claremont Review of Books. Click here to send a comment.   A review of The Norton Anthology of Children's Literature: The Traditions in English edited by Jack Zipes, Lissa Paul, Lynne Vallone, Peter Hunt, and Gillian Avery  Parents have always fretted about what to read to their children, and experts have always been ready with advice. In their educational writings, John Locke and Jean Jacques Rousseau together mentioned only three books worthy of a child's mind. Locke recommended Aesop's...

Those who have recently been decrying a "racist use" of the image of the Tar Baby might benefit from knowing more about the allusion and its origins. Tony Snow, now the White House press secretary, certainly found himself in the proverbial Brier Patch when he used the image to describe his predicament when facing his first meeting with the Washington press corps. The infamous Tar Baby originated as a figure in a grand scheme detailed in an African-American Brer Rabbit slave tale. These stories, in which the sly rabbit always manages to outwit those who are stronger and more powerful...

Once there reigned a queen, in whose garden were found the most glorious flowers at all seasons and from all the lands of the world. But more than all others she loved the roses, and she had many kinds of this flower, from the wild dog-rose with its apple-scented green leaves to the most splendid, large, crimson roses. They grew against the garden walls, wound themselves around the pillars and wind-frames, and crept through the windows into the rooms, and all along the ceilings in the halls. And the roses were of many colors, and of every fragrance and form....

Next time you're at your school or public library, check out the "C" section of kids' fiction. Chances are you'll see at least one shelf filled with books by Beverly Cleary. The author who created characters as memorable as Ramona Quimby and Henry Huggins has written 39 children's books, and most libraries have several copies of her most popular titles. Beverly Cleary turns 90 today. To celebrate her birthday, kids across the country will Drop Everything And Read, just like Ramona does in "Ramona Quimby, Age 8."

On Sunday, February 19 at 12:15 pm and Monday, February 20 at 12:45 am The Narnian: The Life and Imagination of C.S. Lewis Alan Jacobs Description: Professor Alan Jacobs profiles Oxford scholar and religious writer C.S. Lewis in his book "The Narnian." C.S. Lewis created the childrens series "The Chronicles of Narnia," as well as many books for adults on religious topics. Mr. Jacobs details the writer's life and discusses his influence on scholars around the world. This event was hosted by the Cambridge Forum in Massachusetts.

Curiously, new monkey movie lands in middle of cultural battle - Joe Garofoli, Chronicle Staff Writer Friday, February 10, 2006 For the politically correct Bay Area parent, the "Curious George" children's books are a minefield of cultural horrors through which to tiptoe. Imperialism. Animal abuse. Bad parenting. Puh-leeeeze, George's defenders say. They're children's books, whose charm has not dimmed -- 25 million books and countless swag sold -- even if ideas about political correctness have evolved since the first George adventure was published in 1941. Sometimes a speechless, mischievous monkey is just that -- a monkey, not a metaphor. Besides,...

For the politically correct Bay Area parent, the "Curious George" children's books are a minefield of cultural horrors through which to tiptoe. Imperialism. Animal abuse. Bad parenting. Puh-leeeeze, George's defenders say. They're children's books, whose charm has not dimmed -- 25 million books and countless swag sold -- even if ideas about political correctness have evolved since the first George adventure was published in 1941. Sometimes a speechless, mischievous monkey is just that -- a monkey, not a metaphor. Besides, George's tales are no more un-PC than those of that royalist warmonger, Babar. Both camps are wondering how "Curious...