As a parent, I find myself reading children's books. A LOT of children's books. Over and over and over...
In the process, I have noticed a real difference between modern books and classic ones like Peter Rabbit.
Modern kids books are about fun, funny pictures, making friends, feeling good about yourself, and merchandising.
The classic stories are warnings about life's dangers. "Dont go out in the woods alone" kind of stuff.
Look at Peter Rabbit. Peter's mom tells him not to go into the Farmer's garden. His father went in there and got eaten. Think about that. Not only did he DIE but he got EATEN. Hmm, this is not a fuzzy tale about self-confidence, this is a warning about life and death. Of course, Peter does go in the garden and barely escapes with his life.
As I read this story, I have wonder what my daughter thinks it is about. Eaten? Kids dont see animals get eaten. Meat that looks nothing like actual animals; it comes wrapped from the grocery store. For that matter, how many kids ever see a garden let alone work in one and worry about rabbits eating their food? Lost in the woods? When was the last time you saw any woods that wasn't a park.
Times have really changed even from 50 or 100 years ago. Reading these stories one can see how easy life has gotten. Very few kids here die of diseases or wild animals or brigands. The concept of life and death seems far removed from everyday life. In the Bible, people got married at 13; Romeo and Juliet were what? 15? Oprah is never short of sad stories but overall it is easy to see how adolescence has now expanded in the the mid-20's.
Other countries dont have these benefits. It is a good thing to reflect on how far we have come and how safe and easy life is here.
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