So I was perusing the Twitter and caught something that web comic genius Ryan North (Dinosaur Comics) posted yesterday regarding New York Times writer Nicholas Kristof. Mr. Kristof wrote an article back on July 4th regarding suggestions for the Best Kids' Books which you can read here: http://kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/04/the-best-kids-books-ever/
Now, don't get me wrong, I by no means think that kids reading is a bad thing. What both Mr. North and I found appalling was the last part of the following paragraph:
"So now it’s your turn. What are your favorite children’s books, and why would you recommend them? Some readers will undoubtedly come for ideas, so be detailed and persuasive. And of course, kids are welcome to list their own favorites. But if you mention a comic book, I’m going to report you to your school librarian!"
In a time when comics have moved beyond trivial nonsense and become intelligent pieces of literature in their own right, why are we still hearing things like this? I feel like we've returned to arguments people were using as far back as the 1920's. According to these narrow-minded folks, somehow comic books are below traditional forms of literature. Even back then, folks who subscribed to this line of thought were missing out, especially when it came to the E.C. New Trend books (best known for Tales from the Crypt, Weird Fantasy and Two-Fisted Tales and eventually Mad Magazine... albeit these were intended for teens not kids.) These books had exceptional writing and art, and still hold up to today's standards. And comics have matured immensely in 50 years. Why are we depriving kids of these wonderful tales?
Hell, tremendous options could be found just on the list of this year's Eisner Nominees for Best Publication for Kids:
Amulet, Book 1: The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi
Cowa! by Akira Toriyama
Princess at Midnight by Andi Watson
Stinky by Eleanor Davis
Tiny Titans by Art Baltazar and Franco
But Mr. Kristof would rather shove Winnie the Pooh down their throats. Hell, he doesn't even seem to care what kids think either. As per his quote in another article. Which you can find here.
"My own kids have the temerity to think they know better than I which books they’ve enjoyed, so I’ve deigned to post their recommendations there. But listening to one’s children is dangerous: I advocate reading to them instead."
Wow, so kids are too stupid to know what they actually enjoy and it's dangerous to listen to them? Last time I checked kids were people too and have the right to their own opinion just like the rest of us. It's a shame that people like this are still around to push their dated ideas on people. They even let this guy write for the New York Times. God, help us all.
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4 comments:
What the hell is wrong with people? bronze-age thinking and general douche-baggery showcased above are ridiculous especially today. Way back in the days of Richie Rich and the "pure entertainment comics" it was valid to say that what was on the inked page was just that... ink and entertainment. but now...
Not only has the art of comics ascended to a higher level and quality, it can be said that some graphic novels could be considered to hold more societal value than the tripe that's peddled on library shelves.
- watchmen vs I was a teenage werewolf
- kingdom come, civil war epilogue, the sandman series, the walking dead, vs twilight and anything else written for our age group.
Comics now hold more truth about society than almost any book can muster.
With the dying of the written word to television conglomerates and hollywood mega industries, Very few books written recently hold anything more than "pure entertainment garbage.".
rant over.
by the way kyle if you ever have time to collaborate let me know man, It's Tyler on your facebook friends.
Tyler,
Thanks for your thoughtful response. I totally agree with you. Though I am certainly part of the camp of whatever gets kids reading is good. I don't care if it's the Sunday morning funnies, you know? You just hope they grow and mature from there.
If I'm reading this writer's comment/criticism about comics correctly, it's weirdly ironic.
I thought the main criticism about comics is that they were too juvenile in the first place.
Is this guy taking it a step further? Like, it's too juvenile for children, too?
Hell, I could argue that some comics are TOO adult for children...
Although, perhaps Mr. Kristof was merely trying to be funny and just didn't want to muddy up the recommendations by including comics.
But if he's excluding comics simply because he thinks it's a step beneath reading books, then he needs to have some exposure to comics.
For instance, although I personally haven't read them, according to passionate comics fan and retailer, Atomic Don, the BONE series by Jeff Smith is supposed to be pretty good for children and adults alike.
PS.
Are you gonna cough up any more details on this Shot in the Dark Comics pencilling gig?
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