From Wonder to Wisdom - Softcover

Smith, Charles A.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0452265258 ISBN 13: 9780452265257

Publisher: Plume, 1990

Synopsis

Explains how childhood stories and fairy tales can be used to teach children valuable lessons about life, from conquering fear to helping others

About this title

From Library Journal

Stressing the importance of children's literature for its own sake, and warning against "mindless and shallow" moralistic tales that neither entertain nor enchant, Smith (human development, Kansas State Univ.) starts out on just the right foot. He weaves hundreds of picture books into an analysis of themes such as confronting challenges, developing positive self-esteem, etc. Unfortunately, he goes on to include some stories based on his Butterberry Hill TV series in Topeka, most of which are filled with cutesy names (Little Dirty Dorothy) and stereotypes (wealthy means snobby) and drive home their point in as dull and uninspiring a style as the tales he warns against. This book is solid on storytelling and book reviews (with a bibliography of nearly 300 children's books). But tread lightly in Butterberry Hill.
- Linda Beck, Indian Valley P.L., Telford, Pa.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Plume
• Publication date: 1990
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0452265258
• ISBN 13: 9780452265257
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 32