Warning: The opinions expressed in this post are those of an adult who has no children of her own. She’s also feeling extra bratty today. Reader discretion is advised.
All board books seem to do anymore is tell small children that ducks are fuzzy and kittens have scratchy tongues, with mock surfaces for little fingers to touch. Not only do they teach children that it’s perfectly fine to rub cacti to feel their prickliness, they’re also woefully inaccurate in simulating textures, (a good thing considering some of the subject matter). The point of the board books is to make them durable, not to encourage toddlers to molest the pages. I think modern board books are the reason why the display copies of pop-up books are torn to shreds at book stores and libraries, because children are taught (unintentionally) that books are toys. Yes I know children learn through touch, but does that mean we ought to encourage them grab at books like literate Lennies from Of Mice and Men? Besides, these touch and feel books can’t compare with textures in the real world.
Oh, is that what a tiger feels like? Huh, feels exactly like bunnies and chicks.
Modern board books also typically devoid of plot, relying on gimmicks to get the reader’s attention. Which makes me wonder why any parent or child would want to bother. It probably explains why I so rarely see parents reading these books to their little ones, and even more rarely see children enjoying them.
Just because a book is meant for young children or babies doesn’t mean it has to be mindless. Books for preschoolers need to be short enough to be read in five minutes, (as opposed to 15 for older children), but that’s not to say they can’t have stories or be educational. Simple counting or labeling books are totally useful in teaching toddlers the basics and narratives are always welcomed. Here are some great alternatives to those touch and feel books hogging the market today, (most were made in the last century but still hold up):
The original board book series Max and Ruby by Rosemary Wells were every bit as engaging as books for older children, just boiled down to their key scenes.
Some of the funniest board books were written by Sandra Boynton in the 1980’s. Her books have the same humor and charm as her decades famous hippo birdie two ewes greeting card.
I am a Bunny, though intended for children ages 4-8 is a classic that states the wonders of passing seasons, (and is illustrated by the incomparable Richard Scarry, to boot).
The book Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes (from 2002) teaches the names of parts of the body, and presents parents and children with the opportunity to touch their own bodies instead of the pages, (which makes story time kind of like a game). Sitting down to read to a child is a great bonding activity for both child and parent, so why start the tradition with uninspired books? Babies can be bored by lack-luster books just like adults. Therefore, books should be chosen with care, even for those who are just learning the basics of language. And books though entertaining, aren’t toys. They need to be handled with respect, something that may be tough to teach if all the books in a child’s library say “touch me”.
Tell me what you think.
-Jovan
It's not something I ever put much thought into, but you're probably right. Although I think touch and play books serve their purpous, often now they are just thrown together haphazardly because they sell.
ReplyDeleteAnd it's not kids that are buying them.