Children's Books

Shrek:
Though there was great controversy surrounding the appropriateness of Shrek, I think there are a few things about the book that are worth mentioning. We spoke about Shrek as a character and how it was his meanness, and not ugliness that might have influenced children in a negative way. However, I thought it was interesting that Steig portrayed Shrek as being so aware and so comfortable with his physical appearance. Shrek not only accepted his looks (or lack thereof), but was also proud of them. I think this would be an important take-home message for kids, who are not always satisfied with the way they look. Children between the ages of five and nine, the audience for which this book was written, first become aware of what others think of them around this time in their lives. This is most significant when they start school and are placed in social situations with the opposite sex. It is usually at this stage in life that individuals establish their sense of self appreciation, and if at this stage insecurities set in, they may take a lifetime to overcome.
Shrek's acceptance of the way he looked can be seen as a good example for the kids, who after reading this book would realize that regardless of the way one looks, he/she will always seem special to at least one other person. Though I do not support Shrek's meanness as a character, I do think that the message of the book, which is to promote the idea that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and that it is not the same for everyone, is one that children and their parents would find worthwhile.

Selavi:
I think the author of this book did a brilliant job of truly capturing the essence of what children's books are all about. The subject matter of this book was truly very scary, more so than Shrek or even Mommy? because it involved being separated from one's parents. Children are always dependent on their parents for physical and emotional support, and even the thought of being separated from them would be too much for a child to even imagine. The way that Youme presented the horrors of separation, being lost and growing up, is truly commendable because not only did she expose her readers, but she presented the story in a way so that child readers would not be permanently scarred. Youme did a very nice job of showing readers that there is another side to life- where things can get scary, but the way she presented the idea was buffered enough so that the kid's realities would not be too seriously affected. She exposes truths without letting children lose hope. I think that is one of the greatest duties of children's books writers.