Hi all. Several years ago I wrote ten short stories about a family of Dolphins. They were gentle and always had happy endings. Today I looked in a book shop window at some children's books and wondered if the content and story line of 5/6 yr old's tastes in story books had changed? Do they now want more action and adventure or stories that contain more electronic motivated characters, e.g. emojies? Thanks Elsie.
I think 'yes' and 'no' covers it! It all depends on the child and their interests, concentration levels, reading ability, etc. In my experience the children of today are, on the whole, more switched on and ready to question everything . Reluctant readers will need lots of action and humour to hold their interest, whereas the more sensitive souls will happily plough through the gentler stories providing there is the essential hook to grab them in the first place.
Hi Steven thanks for your input. Roal Dahl books are classic, the sort that every generation will love. He had giants and witches and all kinds of scary things that kids love. My stories about the Dolphins are quite gentle. There are a couple of hairy moments with a shark etc, but nothing that jumps out. I think you're right, it is more to the tastes of what retailers want to sell, it probably is all about tills ringing at the end of the day. Thanks Elsie
Good question. In think there are 2 answers. Firstly, yes, the always seems to be a tranche of books based on the latest trends and that happens in all genera. In this case it's emojis and angry birds, in the '40's and '50's superheroes/Tarzan/etc. fought Nazis, and so on.
But, secondly, kids books never go out of fashion. My kids read Road Dahl books, Each Peach Pear Plum, Dogger, and others that both my wife and I remember from our childhoods, as well as newer things such as Hairy McClairy and The Gruffalo. The tastes of those who sell (fashionable) books changes, that's all.