South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-03-10
Help The Child
To See" History
Books of Fiction Carefully
Chosen Will Prove of
Great Assistance.

A man was speaking of the histor-
ical novel the other day in rather sar-
castle terms. He derided the attempt
TO sugar coat the pills of learning thus
administered, and thought there was
but one way to study history. If one
desired a knowledge of the history Of
England there was Macauley in five
volumes, and Hume in as many more,
with a dozen other notable writer's TO
bring the subject up to date. Pres
colts Histories and the long list Of
other valuable books were enumerat-
ed with the air of one who has read
and digested all there was 10 digest.
The trouble was that the man was
dyspeptc. He had read so much old
stuff that he was unfit for any other
kind, and yet he was lacking in many
desirable qualities as a companion and
friend. He thought all modern works
of fiction trash and smiled a pity
ing and indulgent smile when an effort
was made TO make him see beyond the
wall of fanatical belief that age is the
only test of merit.
To my mind there is not better way
to make a child "see" the history of
a period or country than to place in
his or her hands a good, well written
story of the times and country. The
small reader will unconsciously alb
sOrb more than can be gathered from
or study. What are detached facts
worth if they are but items without
personality? No child should be al
lowed great liberty in selecting his
reading matter The mother or father
should see that he reads no cheap,
trashily written stories. Well written
books bearing on all subjects are so
easy to find in this day of many.
A child is "A born mimic. He apes
his favorite heroes uncOnsciOusly.
Girls build up ideals of manhood and
womanhoOd on favOrite characters
found i'm books. See that they get
the right patterns!
If child is studying the history Of
his own country in school, try TO find
books of fiction which will help him TO
realize that these were real people
who lived and moved at the same level
where mOrtalS usually walk.
To the average child the great men
of our own history move in a sort of
historical pageant The houses In
which they are born, the incidents
showing the formation of character in
youth, the great opportunity or de-
cisive action which brought them be-
fore the people-all these are separate
and distinct pictures, but let the child
meet his favorite hero in the pages of
some story OF the times and he be-
comes a real flesh and blood man
rather than an automaton or wax hs-
ure.
He becomes worthy and possible of
imitation because he is no longer
thing apart"
Too much fiction, too much history,
too much poetry, too much sweet
food, too much sour food-all make
for indigestion of Sorts. Moderation
in all things is wise and will create
healthy appetite. be it for food or
learning.
But the teacher cannot do 1t all
when il comes to teaching. Mother
or father-or perhaps grandmother or
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. lend hand IN
this training of the intellect. It's
great work and the library is one OF
the most potent factors in carrying 1t
to a successful climax, but no child (
should be allowed TO read at random I
The public libraries are as well con- I
Quoted as is possible in an age OF /
hurry and rush, but there slip into the
shelves much that is reprehenslble (
and Injurious This is due, perhaps, /
to the different points of view of read /
ers. but for your child-and for my /
is but one point of view. /
The best in language, the best IN !
I teachings, the most valuable as an IN |
huence on the future of the reader
this is what we want. To get 1t we /
must search and read and learn SYM !
pathy and understanding.