What Not To Put In Children's Books
Most authors of children's books and the majority of parents agree that stories for young readers should be devoid of bad language, sex and violence. For this reason, authors and editors take great care to ensure that these guidelines are followed. However, as in so many things, opinions can differ concerning what is acceptable at any given age. A British reviewer of one recently published children's book of short stories observed that the book is: '... aimed at the children's book market with content that is entirely appropriate for younger readers... ' Yet an American reviewer of the same book in an otherwise wholly positive appraisal, advised that: 'As far as parental guidance goes, this book does contain one use of mild language and there is a joke made about suicide which may not be suitable for young children.' It is of interest to examine the two passages instanced to try to understand how what was regarded as innocuous by one reviewer prompted a warning by the other.
The use of what the reviewer called mild language comes in a passage in which two old sailors recognised each other after not meeting for many years:
'When the First Sea Lord arrived, Freddie quickly introduced the others. Sir Salty stared at Jack and then burst out, "Well I'm damned, nsafufuo!"
"Salty Seasick!" replied Jack, and the two old sailors shook hands with gusto.'
Here the author used the forbidden word 'damned' to characterise the language used by military men in bygone ages as well as in modern times. Hopefully, most parents would accept such a mild expletive as unlikely to pose a serious threat to their children's verbal or moral development.
The reference to suicide appears at first sight to be a more serious issue. It arises in a story in which two heroes are about to attempt the first hot air balloon flight. A reporter from the Bristol Breakfast Crier (BBC) approaches one of the would-be aviators, the Prime Minister: Merlin.
'"Are you leaving the country to escape criticism for the appalling state of the economy?" he asked, "or have you decided that suicide is the only way out?"'
The answer to this sinister suggestion comes immediately:
"'You are well aware that the appalling state of the economy is permanent in England," replied a grinning Merlin. "It cannot be blamed on my government that has been in power for only a few decades. As for committing suicide, I expect to escape that fate, along with my companion, the Patron Saint."'
The American reviewer felt that the mention of suicide may not be suitable for young children. However, as the book in question is not recommended for children under 10 years of age, it would appear that the British reviewer took the view that books for older children can provide a gentle and humorous introduction into some aspects of the reality of the adult world.
Saint George, Rusty Knight, and Monster Tamer is a series of nine self-contained historical short stories which introduces George, a hapless knight who has an unusual skill for monster taming, and which, with wit and delightful aplomb takes the young reader on an adventurous journey though some significant moments in history.
Historical Novel Society, February 2016
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