These are careful, concerned parents. But few seem equally concerned about the dangers of trivial stories and bad prose. Children need to hear beautiful language if they are to speak and write beautifully. They need to hear stories of love and courage and joy and sorrow so their imaginations are fired and their hearts expanded. They need to hear the language of Rudyard Kipling, the whimsy of A. A. Milne, the sorrow of Oscar Wilde, the mystery of Hans Christian Andersen, the wisdom of E. B. White, the terror of the Brothers Grimm, the wildness of Dr. Suess .
Children have little enough time for reading in their busy, scheduled lives.
When they read, or when they listen, what we give them should be worthy of their eager, wondering minds and souls. Kari Jenson Gold is a writer living in New York City.