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Campaigning parents plan to burn children's books with grisly endings
Last updated at 19:52pm on 04.10.07
Ban it: Jim Carey as Lemony Snicket, a character that is seen as too miserable for children
Youngsters are already exposed to enough misery in their lives and should be protected from such stories, says a parents' group.
The Happy Ending Foundation is planning a series of Bad Book Bonfires for later this month, when parents will be encouraged to burn novels with negative endings.
The foundation has also written to school librarians across the country to coincide with Children's Book Week, which began on Monday, urging them to take ' controversial' books off shelves.
Last night critics of the group said children needed a healthy balance in their reading.
Others said the book burnings were a sinister reminder of similar events in Nazi Germany.
Among the stories on the foundation's blacklist are best-sellers such as A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket and Marcus Pfister's Milo and the Magical Stones.
Works that make the approved list include Raymond
Brigg's The Snowman and Enid Blyton's Famous Five series.
The Snowman appears to have a sad ending because he melts, leaving the boy he has befriended alone. But the foundation claims it ends positively because the boy is contented, having the snowman's scarf to remember him by.
Adrienne Small founded the
organisation when her ten-year-old daughter became depressed and withdrawn after reading the first book in the Lemony Snicket series.
She said: "I talked to other mothers and friends and we decided to do something positive with books that were more upbeat.
"I'm not trying to say the world should be viewed with rose-tinted glasses but you have got to do your best to protect your children."
Mrs Small, 47, who is married with two teenage children, founded the organisation in 2000 and there are now 11 groups across the country, including London, Bristol, Manchester and Glasgow.
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Hans Christian Anderson's classic The Little Mermaid, illustrated in Disney's version of the film, has also been targeted by the campaign
Clare Hughes, head of the foundation's East of England Cheering Committee, said: "I've seen the way my children respond to real life, whether that be the disappearance of a child, like Madeleine McCann, or bombings, and that gives them enough nightmares.
"Books should let them be assured that the goodies-will come out on top."
But children's charity Kidscape condemned a campaign which would lead to young people 'missing out on the magic of literature'.
Director Michele Elliott said: "There is a distance between you and a book which allows you to experience emotions and think about what's happening - but it's not happening to you. That's incredibly healthy.
"There has to be a balance. I would not feed children a complete diet of morbid books."
Award-winning children's author Kevin Brooks, whose books have a reputation for emotional rollercoasters and disturbing cliffhangers, said the proposed burnings were reminiscent of the Nazi regime.
"Controversy and bad stuff is everywhere," he said. "It is far better to find out about it in books where it is written with some feeling and poetry and power."
Reader views (13)
I think these people are immensely misguided in what they do. Loss, negative outcomes and sadness are all part of life.
I think allowing children to read about these things allows them to confront and learn to deal with these things in a 'safe' way, aiding them to develop emotional mechanisms to deal with real life problems that will undoubtedly confront them in later life.
Perhaps the problem lies in the inability of the parents in question to deal with these issues themselves, and to help their children do the same.
- Dave Smart, Stockport, UK
The Little Mermaid and the Series of Unfortunate Events are not morbid! Sure, their endings are far from perfect, but that's life. As others have said, children will have to learn that the world isn't field of daisies sooner or later. Why not on a page in a book?
- Renee, London, England
This sounds completely ridiculous, children need to be aware that life isn't always fair. Then again, if children are getting upset because a mermaid has to go back to water, perhaps they need to be made aware that women with fish's tails don't actually exist.
Anyway, banning books is far too extreme - some equivalent of the RSAC advisory, "Contains an unhappy ending" could be a more sensible compromise.
- Geat, Cardiff, UK
I think we should burn whatever this woman writes.
- Sasha, Ontario, Canada
Is it April the first?
- Frank H., London
What a supid view! life doesn't always have a happy ending. Children need to learn this important fact. Parents should help to explain why this is so and not deny them this valuble life lesson!
- Jill, UK
I wonder if this is one of the Chelsea Tractor driving mums who live only five minutes from the school, but still take their 'Little Princess's' by car?
- B, Addlestone, UK
Another example of a person trying to rip out our backbones. When good things happen we should celebrate them. When bad things happen we should simply, sympathetically, explain them, not try to pretend they don't exist. Our kids need to learn about reality and not be presented with the world viewed through rose tinted glasses.
- Steve, Gravesend, UK
Nothing like preparing the little darlings for the real world.
- Stuart, UK
What a deeply misguided person she is. I suppose she can protect her children into their teens and beyond too?
Teach your child the difference between right and wrong, and spend the time you have with your child developing a caring supportive family network with solid virtues, you'll find there's no need to censor all and sundry you silly insecure person!
- Simon Caleb, London, England
Absolutely ridiculous. I am lost for anything pleasant to say! Are Book Burnings a good example for children?
- Philip, London, England
She wants to edit the entire cannon of children's literature because her offspring got a bit gnarly after being read a Lemony Snicket book? Is she real?
- Nu, London
If children are lead to believe that good always wins - then they are going to be a bit surprised when good things don't always happen to good people.
- Jo, Canvey Island
