Is it a good book for children?

[Matt]

I love it when Hannah talks penii

But I do agree, obviously Paris is way too young for this kind of stuff. I wouldn't try to explain a penis to a kid her age for sure.

Sometimes I can't even remember them being that young.

[Frunobulax]

Butt weenie? Ouch!

[OchrisO]

I suppose it depends on how much the child has been exposed to that sort of stuff, and how much you want them to be exposed. I grew up in the early 80s, when sex was everywhere. My parents were always very open about the stuff, and didn't try to demonize it or hide it from me. I had watched movies like Porky's and a million other 80s comedies taht deal with sex a lot by the time I was 7 or so, and my mom was always quite honest and open when I asked her stuff. She never tried to control what I read or saw, and I probably thumbed through my first Playboy by age 8 or so. I men, it's not like tehy handed them to me, but they were around, and I didn't get punished for it when i was caught. *shrug* I figure I turned out alright. Violence worries me more than sex as far as children exposure these days, but even that is ok with proper and informative parenting.

As for the other stuff in the books, i'd imagine it is ok. I tried to read The Dark Tower when I was 10-ish because I liked the cover art, but at the time I really couldn't get into it. I'm not sure why, though. That was a long time ago. I probably drank those braincells away.

[Baradin]

I think it depends on the child and on the parents.

I started reading King (The Stand) at 6 years old, and got into IT shortly thereafter. Now granted thats REALLY early but I always have been a BIG reader. I say let the kid of any age attempt it and if they can get thru it power to them. Sure I had some nightmares and still to this day avoid all sewer grates, but I wouldn't trade any of that in for the world.

[Daghain]

OMG Hannah I am laughing so hard my sides hurt! Where do kids come up with this stuff???

Of course, I was a very "literal" child. I was raised Catholic, and when I was little my mother told me the Tabernacle was the house of God. Well, of course I thought God was some really, really small person that lived in that little box. I even envisioned a whole nice set of early 70's furniture for Him.

[Frunobulax]

I can see God with shag carpeting, Brady Bunch-style clothes, and paisley curtains.

[Daghain]

Yanno, that was kind of it. I kind of pictured white mod furniture, a nice shag rug, (hey, it was the 70's, sue me) and some nice mod art on the walls.

I was a really progressive seven-year-old.

[Frunobulax]

Warhol prints up as decorations--pretty sweet digs for the Big G.

[Daghain]

Hey, now THAT would be cool! And maybe a nice bar area off to the side - nothing ostentatious, but, yanno, cool.

[Frunobulax]

He can make White Russians and little martinis for Himself.

But I digress....thread hi-jacking....

[Daghain]

Yep, threadjacking is VERY uncool.

But still funny.

[Frunobulax]

Hehe.

So, the book is good for some kids and also depends on your definition of a child.

[Daghain]

I guess so. For me, if the kid has a book, ANY book, in his/her hands, I would say absolutely nothing. Hey, at least they're reading.

[Frunobulax]

Aaaaaaamen!

[Jean]

I think visuals can stick with you so much longer than the written word.

I am not sure. Some kids, just like some grownups, are verbal rather than visual; for example, I hardly remember anything I saw as a kid, but sure do remember almost every word I read. But I agree with the rest.

Besides, if the kid has no idea what a "white candlestick" is, and has never actually seen a penis, then they can't really visualize... so maybe they just wouldn't quite understand what they were reading...

I don't now have my copy of To Kill A Mocking Bird (a student of mine is reading it), but I hope you remember that place where she asks Atticus what rape is, and he explains, and how she reacts. I think that scene was very true, and that's what it clearly shows (I could say the same from my own experience, and that of many friends' kids): as a rule, kids are not at all obsessed with sex; intelligent kids have a clear idea that the world is bigger than what they already know, so there must be something they won't learn till later; kids who already learned some independence would rather deposit their questions for later use than bother their parents with them, especially with what they feel must be adult stuff. For kids, there's enough stuff in every book to keep them interested without getting fixated on the sex; violence in this respect should impress them much more, but any normal book for kids contains its share of violence anyway (pirates and Injuns and princes and paupers).

For me, if the kid has a book, ANY book, in his/her hands, I would say absolutely nothing. Hey, at least they're reading.

[Daghain]

For kids, there's enough stuff in every book to keep them interested without getting fixated on the sex; violence in this respect should impress them much more, but any normal book for kids contains its share of violence anyway (pirates and Injuns and princes and paupers).

I think you hit the nail right on the head. I remember as a kid reading things that were way over my head, and the occasional sex scene was not particularly interesting to me at the time. No harm, no foul - I just didn't care so much. I was reading the book for the story, not to pick out sex scenes.

[Frunobulax]

Jean always adds amazing insight to things. He did, yet again, hit the nail on the proverbial head.

[Daghain]

The bear strikes again.

[Jean]

now you have one blushing bear...

the point, however, is that Daghain managed to express in two lines what took me three passages with literary allusions. And that point is indeed worth drawing attention to:

I remember as a kid reading things that were way over my head, and the occasional sex scene was not particularly interesting to me at the time. No harm, no foul - I just didn't care so much. I was reading the book for the story, not to pick out sex scenes.

[Daghain]

Aww, thanks. But I like your literary allusions too.

[Hannah]

I used to read the Jean Auel series just for the caveman sex. I was about ten - twelve or so.

[Matt]

I was going to say that!!

My 16 year old is reading them now and every now and then I look at here and she's all...

"Jondalar!!"

Its a weird joke, but funny.

[Letti]

. . .
Mommy whats a white candlestick?
. . .

And the best answer: ask your dad.

As a child I wouldn't have dared to ask such a question because I would have felt there is something wrong with it.
Anyway this world is full or cursed words wherever you see and turn your head you hear them.

[Erin]

I used to read the Jean Auel series just for the caveman sex. I was about ten - twelve or so.

I love those books! All the "peleo-porn" is a super bonus in them.

[ZoNeSeeK]

Ahaha, thats right - those cavepeoples were all up to date on their sexing

-

Probably the only real concern I would have would be with impressionable kids mimicking some of the colourful language. I personally dont have a problem with adults swearing (as long as its not in a completely inappropriate place or directed aggressively at someone) but young kids don't necessarily have the awareness to fully understand the language, or its appropriate use. But on saying this, it would be a good opportunity to teach your kid(s) about appropriate language. Empowering them to be able to read and understand it gives them the opportunity to make an informed decision.