From Wonder to Wisdom - Softcover

Stressing the importance of children's literature for its own sake, and warning against "mindless and shallow" moralistic tales that neither entertain nor enchant, Smith (human development, Kansas State Univ.) starts out on just the right foot. He weaves hundreds of picture books into an analysis of themes such as confronting challenges, developing positive self-esteem, etc. Unfortunately, he goes on to include some stories based on his Butterberry Hill TV series in Topeka, most of which are filled with cutesy names (Little Dirty Dorothy) and stereotypes (wealthy means snobby) and drive home their point in as dull and uninspiring a style as the tales he warns against. This book is solid on storytelling and book reviews (with a bibliography of nearly 300 children's books). But tread lightly in Butterberry Hill.
- Linda Beck, Indian Valley P.L., Telford, Pa.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.