Children’s books I hate:

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most of the old "Little Golden" books, but particularly Tootle. It is about a train who is different and won't stay on the tracks or do what trains are supposed to do. So the townspeople get together and basically crush his spirit so he will be a "good engine." Hate it so much. Terrible message about how being different is bad and conformity is good.

Yes, this is the same reason I dislike Rainbow Fish. Why would we want our kids to learn that it is bad to be different and better for everyone to be exactly the same?

Rainbow fish is about socialism

You don’t know much about socialism, do you? It’s not about socialism at all. It’s about bending and giving to fit social norms.

It’s about a youngster giving up what makes him/her special to fit in with the crowd. Generally, we try to teach kids not to give in to peer pressure, but this book seems to say that it is better to do what your friends are doing rather than stand up for yourself. Not a lesson I want my kids to learn.

I had to wait until I saw Grease to learn that.

Haha, yes, but at least Grease is not aimed at little children. And when my kids finally got to see Grease, they had to put up with all my comments about how weak the main character was to change who she was to fit in with the group.

What about the little mermaid? Although I confess I love that movie.... lol But I recognize that the message is pretty f*#$ed up. Although it went right over my head at 10.

There’s a reason I prefer the original story. You change to suit yourself, you die (inside).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Skippyjohnjones - full of totally cringe fractured Spanglish

I had completely blocked this from my mind but this is the actual worse.

+1. It encourages kids to make fun of Spanish. Awful.

Just like Ping the Duck amd seven Chinese brothers e courage mocking Chinese people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am sure this is not a popular option, but I cannot stand “Where the Wild Things Are.”

I initially hated it, but after the 183673th time reading it, I kind of started liking it.

I just love the poetry of the book. He sailed back in and out of weeks and through a day.

DP. The prose is beautiful.

I initially hated the book too. My first DC wasn't into it and I couldn't relate.

I developed an appreciation for the book when my second, "wild child," came along. It so captures him and his feelings of rage, calming, and return to normalcy. Light bulb!

[Anonymous]

I love this thread. I'm a children's librarian, and this discussion pops up periodically in a variety of professional settings. Love You Forever, Giving Tree, and Rainbow Fish are definitely the top three.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am sure this is not a popular option, but I cannot stand “Where the Wild Things Are.”

I initially hated it, but after the 183673th time reading it, I kind of started liking it.

I just love the poetry of the book. He sailed back in and out of weeks and through a day.

DP. The prose is beautiful.

I initially hated the book too. My first DC wasn't into it and I couldn't relate.

I developed an appreciation for the book when my second, "wild child," came along. It so captures him and his feelings of rage, calming, and return to normalcy. Light bulb!

The Night Kitchen also has the super weird but beautiful prose and dream sequence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“Heather Has Two Mommies” for obvious reasons.

What obvious reasons? Please, enlighten us

I think you know.

NP here. Why are you beating around the bush? Stop pussyfooting around, and just come out with it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“Heather Has Two Mommies” for obvious reasons.

What obvious reasons? Please, enlighten us

I think you know.

NP here. Why are you beating around the bush? Stop pussyfooting around, and just come out with it!

It obviously means that she wants Heather to have three mommies.

[Anonymous]

Heather is a strong, independent baby who doesn't need any parents?

[Anonymous]

You don’t like the use of “has”, because mommies are not properties?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am sure this is not a popular option, but I cannot stand “Where the Wild Things Are.”

I initially hated it, but after the 183673th time reading it, I kind of started liking it.

I just love the poetry of the book. He sailed back in and out of weeks and through a day.

That book is the best of the best. The words and pictures are just perfect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any book that is full of political correctness. Ugh. ugh.

Like the Liberty Lane series. The absolute worst with its imposition of politically correct notions like patriotism, hard work, and personal responsibility. So obnoxious.

I too hate political correctness. When we encounter it in a book that is truing to teach /sway a certain kind of politic, I point it out to my children. We talk about using our own words that we're feeling. We teach our children to develop their own ideas about situations. and not to be afraid to disagree with an author.

[Anonymous]

I dislike all things Francis Hodgson Burnett. It's not for any particularly noble reason, like her view of India and Indians, though I do find that problematic. Even if that was all able to be stripped out, though, I'd still hate her main characters. They are whiny and annoying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bedtime for Frances. Frances tries all sorts of stalling tactics until her parents basically say go to bed or we’ll smack you. Nice.

All the Curious George books. The Man in the Yellow Hat kidnaps George from the jungle. Then George creates all sorts of trouble and is given all the credit for fixing what he broke in the first place.

And really cannot stand Babar.

I was with you until you got to Babar. I really like Babar. My kids, on the other hand, hate it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t hate reading it aloud because the rhymes are fairly good, but I totally judge the mother in The Seven Silly Eaters.

This is my five year old's favorite book, and also how I feel about the story.

The illustrations are flipping fantastic, as is everything by Marla Frazee.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pout, Pout Fish. Sexual assault cures depression!

OMG I just came on here to write this! I freaking hate that book.