Meh
Movie style ratings for kids books. What do we think?
I can see the sense in some ways but I have to say that there are a lot of books that would be ruined if you were warned of the disturbing bits. It's good to be frightened or shocked and with book, much more so than with films, it's often that shock that forces you to think.
Obviously, little kids shouldn't be reading about rape, drugs and the like but if a 12 year old accidently comes accross something it is often a good thing. Kids know the kinds of things they like and the title/cover/blurb give plenty of indication.
In films there are images and music that get into your head. Books give a decent amount of context.
Perhaps I just like the idea of books being the last refuge for kids that want to be scared. My mum was quite strict about sex, violence and bad language in films and such. I was not allowed to play violent games and sent to bed before The Fast Show. Books were different though. I could explore at my own rate and push my own boundaries. I want other kids of strict parents to have this freedom.
Incidently:
First sex scene was in an anthology of scifi.
First swearing was in Discworld.
First graphic violence was Bloodtide.
First drug use was in Junk, amazingly enough.
I didn't hit anything really bad until I was about 16 and I read a lot. Kids books are often much more phychologically disturbing and that is down to the kids, not the content.
I can see the sense in some ways but I have to say that there are a lot of books that would be ruined if you were warned of the disturbing bits. It's good to be frightened or shocked and with book, much more so than with films, it's often that shock that forces you to think.
Obviously, little kids shouldn't be reading about rape, drugs and the like but if a 12 year old accidently comes accross something it is often a good thing. Kids know the kinds of things they like and the title/cover/blurb give plenty of indication.
In films there are images and music that get into your head. Books give a decent amount of context.
Perhaps I just like the idea of books being the last refuge for kids that want to be scared. My mum was quite strict about sex, violence and bad language in films and such. I was not allowed to play violent games and sent to bed before The Fast Show. Books were different though. I could explore at my own rate and push my own boundaries. I want other kids of strict parents to have this freedom.
Incidently:
First sex scene was in an anthology of scifi.
First swearing was in Discworld.
First graphic violence was Bloodtide.
First drug use was in Junk, amazingly enough.
I didn't hit anything really bad until I was about 16 and I read a lot. Kids books are often much more phychologically disturbing and that is down to the kids, not the content.