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Child! Do not throw this book about; refrain from the…

“Child! Do not throw this book about; refrain from the unholy pleasure of cutting all the pictures out.” quote by Hilaire Belloc
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“Child! Do not throw this book about; refrain from the unholy pleasure of cutting all the pictures out.”

Hilaire Belloc

About This Quote

Source Book: Cautionary Tales for Children by Hilaire Belloc, 1907

The author warns against destroying a book’s illustrations, urging respect for the whole work rather than mutilating parts for personal amusement.

In simple terms: Do not damage books for fun.

Key Takeaway

Preserve books intact.

Themes

respect for literature childhood censorship art appreciation

Mood

protective reflective

Type

cautionary educational

When to use this quote

  • libraries
  • classroom reading
  • parental guidance
  • book clubs
  • museum curation

Key Concepts

integrity aesthetic value cultural heritage

Questions to Reflect On

  • Why is it important to keep a book’s visual elements?
  • How does altering a book affect its meaning?
A Different Perspective

Some may argue that removing images can aid comprehension for certain readers.

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