Should We Burn Babar?

<div><p>In provocative and entertaining essays [that] will appeal to reflective readers parents and educators (<I>Library Journal</I>) one of the country's foremost education writers looks at the stories we tell our children. Available now in a revised edition including a new essay on the importance of stoop-sitting and storytelling <I>Should We Burn Babar?</I> challenges some of the chestnuts of children's literature. Highlighting instances of racism sexism and condescension that detract from the tales being told Kohl provides strategies for detecting bias in stories written for young people and suggests ways to teach kids to think critically about what they read.</p><p>Beginning with the title essay on Babar the elephant-just one of a fine series of inquiries into the power children's books have to shape cultural attitudes according to <I>Elliott Bay Booknotes</I>-the book includes essays on Pinocchio the history of progressive education and a call for the writing of more radical children's literature. As the<I> Hungry Mind Review</I> concluded Kohl's prescriptions for renewing our schools through the use of stories and storytelling are impassioned well-reasoned and readable.</p></div>