Re: [LM_NET] Nakedness in books

[Lisa Hunt <lisa3moon@YAHOO.COM>]

I haven't seen anyone mention the scene of a naked David running down the street in 
"No, David" by David Shannon.  If I missed that email, sorry.  However, this is a 
great scene and that book is shared by me or classroom teachers every year.  The 
students crack up laughing, but they laugh at everything else David does.  This is 
a great book, and if someone every complains I'll deal with that person.  I 
wouldn't dream of removing that book.

I agree with the comments made about moving over to the group of gigglers and 
asking questions.  What's wrong with the picture?  Do you wear clothes in the bath? 
 Students don't want me in on the conversation, and they take the hint to get back 
to their library business.
 
Lisa Hunt
School Library Media Specialist, elementary
National Board Certified Teacher
Moore, OK
lisa3moon@yahoo.com 



----- Original Message ----
From: Lane Young <lyoung@NSCDS.ORG>
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Sent: Friday, September 7, 2007 3:11:31 PM
Subject: Re: Nakedness in books


While I am fortunate to be at a school which is fairly liberal, I do have to
say that these objects are amazing to me and troublesome in and of
themselves.  I can understand, on some level, the SLM who was uncomfortable
with the nudes in the book on Vermeer, though I do know that if children go
to the Art Institute as a field trip here in Chicago they might run across a
nude.  

However, when nude babies are considered troublesome it bothers me since it
suggests that children have become sexualized when there are parents who
object to it.  The nudity in Sendak's work, for instance, is as about as far
removed from a sexual experience as I can imagine, and yet as posted on this
listserv there are communities where even that would be unacceptable.  It to
me is just troubling that others have taken such a zero tolerance approach
that all children, even babies, are considered sexual creatures.

A nude baby will cause giggles, laughter, and some mild discomfort in the
same way that Dahl's use of the word "ass" in James and the Giant Peach (and
I believe Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as well) does.  However, when
the work has artistic merit, and isn't being used for salacious purposes, I
think it is a great opportunity to open a discussion with students.  Again,
just the advantage I have based on the community I am fortunate to work in.

Lane Young
Lower School Librarian and Technology Coordinator
North Shore Country Day School
Winnetka, IL

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