Short version: Pre-nap reading today. Best on black.
Long version: I can go on for a very long time about children's literature and how hard it is to find a really good book that will be your kid's friend for years. And how frustrating it is if you lose a book that has been that friend, then buy a new edition just to find out that the original story has been re-written because (my wild guess) some parents complained that the original version was too bloody!??? My kids are still disappointed and are hoping for the return of the "real" thing: Their absolute favourite book with gorgeous illustrations about Herb, the Vegetarian Dragon, who was unfortunate enough to be captured by the humans of the Castle Dark and (in the original) was going to be executed through a beheading for all to see. And not even the promise of rescue from other dragons for an exchange of eating a bloody piece of meat would change his vegetarian mind. In the newer version, the planned beheading is replaced by "walking the plank" over the moat of Castle Dark, which gave absolute no reading satisfaction to either of my kids. Neither us nor our kids are vegetarian, but this story about everyone having a right to make their own decisions and stand up for them took that special place in their hearts, and I don't really understand what motivated the editors to rewrite the book!
Preach! I think children having the right to make their own decisions in terms of who they want to be, believe in, etc is an amazing journey. Words that come to mind when I see this photo; wonder, imagination, innocence, curiosity. Great one!
First of all, what a lovely photo Vera. I love the lighting and the glow on your little one's face. Secondly I completely agree, what a shame about the changing of stories to keep it less "violent" for kids! :(
@gijsje i was trying to do exactly that, but it is hard to find as we also got this book used, and it was published originally in 1999, and a lot of time the sellers also don't pay attention to what edition exactly they are offering.
How disappointing that the favourite book was altered. It does seem an unecessary process. However, I just love this gorgeous photo that captures what it is to be lost in wonder in storyland
Gorgeous shot, but I feel your pain. We are very finicky about books, so my mom was really proud to pick up a book she knew we liked but didn't own: Room on the Broom. But someone changed the dragon's threat to eat the witch to include a silly reference to french fries...
Such a great shot. I just love the detail, expression and lighting here (as well as the conversion!) As to your point, I couldn't agree more! If we "sanitize" all the hard stuff and decisions for our kiddos how are we to expect them to make up their own minds when regular "messy" life strikes??
Thank you so much for your lovely comments! I am happy that sense of wonder came through here!
@gijsje i was trying to do exactly that, but it is hard to find as we also got this book used, and it was published originally in 1999, and a lot of time the sellers also don't pay attention to what edition exactly they are offering.