USA TODAY Review of Caldecott

[Bob Hall <PHE_ACA_BH@NWOCA.OHIO.GOV>]

Although I haven't seen the 1995 Caldecott winner "Smoky Night," I found the
review in USA TODAY (2-7-95, 4D) very interesting. Columnist Deirdre Donahue
recommends a warning label be attached to "Smoky Night" because "... the
contents within may be deeply disturbing to young children." Although Donahue
commends the illustrations (hence, the Caldecott), she goes on to say that
"..children should not be coping with problems like intolerance and violence
that adults cause ...", "... reinforces the mean streets syndrome..", "...will
just add terrors to their nightmares about bullets, burglars, and crazies...".

BTW, the book apparently deals with a boy trapped in his apartment during an
urban riot. If you've seen the book I'd be interested in your comments, and any
reaction you may have had to the USA TODAY article (I waited a couple of days
before posting, thinking that someone was sure to start the thread  ... oh
well, someone had to do it!).

Bob Hall
Patrick Henry Local Schools
Hamler, OH
PHE_ACA_BH@NWOCA.OHIO.GOV

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