(no subject)

[owlectomy]

I like when parents expect me to back them up on the idea that manga aren't beneficial reading. It makes me nervous, because I sure don't want to look like I'm undermining their authority, but it's my honest reading of the research that kids should get to read what they want to read.

I think it amuses me because I don't look like the punk-rock pierced-nose "cool" librarian; I look like the librarian who wants people to read Tolstoy. But I get to be both. There's no rule against it.

Oh, also, allow me to register my amazement at what's happening in Canada right now. I was joking with someone a while back that Canadian politics was saner than American politics because it was less exciting, less prone to Fox News polarization and yelling matches. Clearly I was wrong in the best possible way. (Someone posted to Metafilter calling it a "bloodless coup," which is clearly wrong but also a bit hilarious.)

Comments

[wintersweet.livejournal.com]

Heh. Yeah, awkward.

Maybe you could prepare a reference page with a citation for the 20 pages of Dr. Stephen Krashen's _The Power of Reading_ where he talks about the benefits of reading comic books, and hand them that.

[erinbow.livejournal.com]

>kids should get to read what they want to read.

As someone who got through junior high almost solely by reading Star Trek novels, I'd back you up on that. I think if kids find reading a pleasure, the subject matter doesn't, well, matter. The pleasure is the important thing.

>amazement at what's happening in Canada right now

I know! It's such political high drama, and yet so Canadian. The opposition parties might -- GASP! -- put aside their differences! And cooperate! Plus, it amuses the wonk in me to get to use "prorogue" in a everyday conversation.