This is another example of people who are anxiously trying to give their children an extra advantage in life. Is it necessary for toddlers, people who are too young to handle the pages of a regular book, to be introduced to Romeo and Juliet and Anna Karenina? Even if the book is transformed into a number counting primer, does the child benefit from hearing the names or titles of these classics? I seriously doubt it. How about the pleasure of discovery when the child or (teen or adult) is old enough to truly understand the book and make his/her own judgment about it’s meaning and value? Will they be inspired to delve into these works later in life if they’ve been hearing about them forever? If anyone wants to weigh in on this NYTimes article about BabyLit, feel free.
Shira S.