Posted by Kathryn Lawrence on 01/08/00 from ppp-61-92.integratelecom.net:
In Reply to: Re: Appealing to a new generation? Really? posted by T. E. Jancek on January 06, 2000 at 17:15:34:
I was introduced to AR in my forties because I happened to see a
broadcast of Swallows and Amazons on PBS. I'm a sailor and when I saw
the title in a catalog from a publisher who specializes in boating books,
I bought it. I liked it, and went looking for more.
Powells Books in Portland, Oregon, carrries the Godine books in their
children's section, and give them quite a bit of shelf space. I'm sure they
have customers. I'm a teacher and talk to many kids about their reading.
I've never had anyone mention AR books, but many are readers of CS Lewis.
I doubt they know about AR. Most of their American parents never heard of him.
AR's books aren't in local libraries in any number. I wanted to read the ones not yet
published by Godine, and obtained one through inter-library loan from a nearby city.
It had a 1960's publish date.
I found the books a real vocabulary challenge and read them with two large dictionaries
beside me. The things I needed to look up usually turned out to be food items.
I think the books will appeal to some bright children. If the videos were broadcast on PBS,
it would go some way toward creating awareness and interest. If there weren't SOME
interest already, Powells wouldn't bother to carry the books.