Evening star., 1940-12-16
GoodReading
Habits Help
Children
Well.Loved Books
Stimulate Their
Development
BY ANGELO PATRI.

things that can be given to child
with the sure belief that something
fine has been added to him. Read
ing the book will be personal eX-
perienCe that must change him for
the better something that is to be
devoutly hoped for by all parents
and Well-wiShers.
The first requirement Of a good
book for children is that it tells
story A story is a delight to all
children and their reading habits
are set in the beginning by the
stories they are told and those they
read The fairy tales come first.
No modern book about cranes and
engines will ever take the place of
"Cinderella," The Ugly Duckling,"
Snow White and the Seven
Dwarfs."
Imagination is a royal gift be-
slowed on all children for the good
of their souls and the nourishment
of their intelligence. A child reared
on facts, nurtured on books which
are written for the sake of a set
vocabulary instead of the release
of Imagination. is a child cheated
Of his birthright to good literature.
Nor do I agree with those who
are afraid of such stories as Red
Riding Hood" and Jack the Giant
Killer" Imagination, being upper
most, protects children from any
feeling of terror about the wolf or
the giant. They will laugh aloud
at the discontinue of the wolf and
that must be made clear without
overemphasis, just as they will en-
Joy the giants defeat. The happy
ending sets all things right and
that is as 1t should be with the
stories children read.
AS they grow older their stories
take on power. Treasure Island"
is a giants stride from Jack the
Giant Killer" It stands alone, a
masterpiece of writing for children.
The next stride away stands David
Copperfield"
Children who have read and re-
read-and that rereading is what
counts-these three books are en-
dowed with a taste for fine litera-
tJre which if cultivated, will give
them a background Of culture that
will be satisfaction all their days.
I have spoken about stories only
because our children are likely to
get an overdose of informative lit
. erature School libraries are often
Choked by such books, as if text
books were not enough. The young
ones whose reading habits must be
set at the present time must be fed
good stories. They, having the habit
of books, will learn to use the in
formative ones when they need them
in high school and college.
These story books are tragically
important in this day when ethics
are at a low level throughout the
world Preaching by elders does
little good. Our living example is
too poor. The good story will make
amends. 1t will instill what we
seem to be Observation-Disclosures
ness. service, the triumph of right
over wrong, the beauty of nobility
of soul.
7 have named three that I believe
essential in the education of our
children. They are the peaks of
literature. In between are count
less others that you can find by
writing or talking to any librarian.
If you are not acquainted with the
Librarian in your district you are
overlooking one of the people most
valuable to the cultural life of your
Child. If you have not given your
child at least four good books this
year you are neglecting his intellec-
tual and spiritual growth. Children
must read if they are to develop in
tellectually, morally, practically.
Are you having difficulty
teaching your youngster to be a
good sport? Be guided by An
gelo Patri's expert advice. Send
for his booklet your Child and
Other People" inclosing 10 cents
In coin. Address Angelo Patri,
care this neWSn3ner