Books Quote by Mem Fox
““As adults we choose our own reading material. Depending on our moods and needs we might read the newspaper, a blockbuster novel, an academic article, a women's magazine, a comic, a children's book, or the latest book that just about everyone is reading. No one chastises us for our choice. No one says, 'That's too short for you to read.' No one says, 'That's too easy for you, put it back.' No one says 'You couldn't read that if you tried -- it's much too difficult.' Yet if we take a peek into classrooms, libraries, and bookshops we will notice that children's choices are often mocked, censured, and denied as valid by idiotic, interfering teachers, librarians, and parents. Choice is a personal matter that changes with experience, changes with mood, and changes with need. We should let it be.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: On Reading Choices, Mem Fox, 2015
Adults freely choose reading material based on mood and need, while children's choices are often judged and restricted by authority figures.
In simple terms: Adults pick books freely; kids face criticism for their choices.
Key Takeaway
Respect children's reading autonomy.
Themes
freedom
education
authority
choice
childhood
Mood
reflective
concerned
Type
advisory
critical
When to use this quote
- school libraries
- parental guidance
- classroom discussions
- literacy programs
Key Concepts
censorship
social norms
personal agency
Questions to Reflect On
- How does restricting children's reading affect their development?
- What balance should exist between guidance and freedom?
A Different Perspective
Children may lack guidance to develop critical reading skills without some direction.
![“In our family, at this point,[Sunday School] its not a choice for my kids. It's a duty for us as parents to give them faith as a foundation and hope that when they bemuse older teens and young adults they will choose the same thing for themselves.” quote by Gretchen Carlson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d53/gretchen-carlson-3666_adults_in-our-family-at-this-point-sunday-schoo_505398.jpg)
