Adults Quote by Katherine Paterson
![“He [an earnest young reporter] seemed to share the view of many intelligent, well-educated, well-meaning people that, while adult literature may aim to be art, the object of children's books is to whip the little rascals into shape.” quote by Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2cf/katherine-paterson-2365_adults_he-an-earnest-young-reporter-seemed-to-s_6101.jpg)
“He [an earnest young reporter] seemed to share the view of many intelligent, well-educated, well-meaning people that, while adult literature may aim to be art, the object of children's books is to whip the little rascals into shape.”
About This Quote
The quote critiques the notion that children's literature should primarily serve as moral instruction, contrasting it with adult literature's artistic ambitions.
In simple terms: Children's books are seen as tools for moral correction.
Key Takeaway
Moralizing outweighs artistic value in children's literature.
Themes
Moral education
Literary purpose
Adult vs. child audience
Cultural expectations
Pedagogy
Mood
Reflective
Critical
Nostalgic
Type
Observation
Critique
When to use this quote
- Designing a children's curriculum
- Choosing books for a school library
- Advising parents on reading material
- Developing a publishing strategy
- Creating a children's book series
Key Concepts
Moral instruction
Artistic freedom
Educational intent
Societal norms
Practical Applications
- Curriculum design
- Publishing policy
Questions to Reflect On
- How does the balance between entertainment and instruction affect a child's engagement?
- Can a story be both morally instructive and artistically innovative?
A Different Perspective
Some argue that children's books can be both entertaining and artistically rich without compromising moral lessons.
![“I had no study in those days, not even a desk or file or bookcase to call mine alone…It might have happened sooner [the writing of work worthy of publication] had I had a room of my own and fewer children, but somehow I doubt it. For as I look back on what I have written, I can see that the very…” quote by Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dc8/katherine-paterson-2365_education_i-had-no-study-in-those-days-not-even-a_294218.jpg)
