“Doug Unplugged”

An elementary teacher and friend told me that for the upcoming academic year her school district has changed the English/literature requirements.

Now, very few works of fiction will be included. The new focus will be on the specific pieces of literature that appear on the various tests students are now subjected to. The unspoken objective is obvious: to boost test scores.

OK, I get the need for all concerned to do what is best to help children do well on what I consider an overwhelming number of “tests” they must undergo these days.

What I don't get is the shortsighted approach of chopping out most works of fiction in a curriculum.

There are so many important things learned in excellent children's fiction that may not be learned elsewhere, and I've been saying this for more than 26 years in as many ways as I can think to say it.

So let me say it again in as few words as possible. We must incorporate excellent children's fiction books both in school and at home because those books help energize a child's imagination which, in turn, helps children imagine possibilities and answers to real-life questions and problems.

If your school district is cutting out works of fiction, raise your voice and object. Perhaps together we can return to reason and give children what they need beyond success on mandated tests.

Books to BorrowThe following book is available at many public libraries.“Three Good Deeds” by Vivian Vande Velde, Harcourt, 160 pages; read aloud: age 8 and older; read yourself: age 9 and older.The old woman that lived near the pond loved and protected the geese there, and when she caught Howard stealing their eggs just for fun, she turned Howard into a goose to teach him a lesson.The children used to joke that she was a witch, and now Howard knew they were right! On top of being a goose, the old woman told him he couldn't go back to being a boy until he did three good deeds. But how do you do that when you're a goose?Hilarious on every page with subtle, important messages, this book is terrific.

Library: Butler Public Library, 218 N. McKean St.Library Director: Lori CampbellChildren's Librarian: Peter BessChoices this week: “Even Firefighters Hug Their Moms” by Christine MacLean; “Froggy's Sleepover” by Jonathan London; “The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett<B>Books to Buy</B>The following books are available at favorite bookstores.“Doug Unplugged” written and illustrated by Dan Yaccarino, Alfred A. knopf, 2013, 36 pages, $17 hardcover; read aloud: age 5 and older; read yourself: age 7 – 8.Young Doug the robot is lovingly plugged in each morning by his robot parents so he can spend the day learning all sorts of things. Their greatest desire is for Doug to be the smartest robot of them all.One day, after mom and dad have gone off to work, Doug is busy learning about the city when suddenly a live pigeon lands on his windowsill.Doug wondered what he might learn if he went outside into the city, just like the pigeon. So, Doug unplugged and took off out the window. There, he learned all sorts of interesting things, but when a boy asked him to play, Doug had no idea what that word meant. He was happy to learn, though, and a grand adventure ensued on more than one level.A clever and somewhat cautionary tale for kids and parents alike on the importance of play, this selection brims with imagination.“Don't Be Afraid to Say No!” written and illustrated by Ilona Lammertink & Lucie Georger, Clavis, 2013, 30 pages, $15.95 hardcover; read aloud: age 4 and older; read yourself: age 7 – 8.Jill is thrilled that Susie is coming over to her house to play. When the two arrive in Jill's room and begin playing with Jill's stuffed animals, Susie suddenly spies Jill's favorite stuffed rabbit, Hopper. Susie asks if she can borrow Hopper overnight. And even though Jill wants to say “No” she doesn't know how.Over and over this happens until Jill's mom helps Jill understand that it's perfectly fine to say “No” when that is how you feel.Carrying an important message for kids on how to assert themselves and gain self-confidence, this choice is spot on.Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached at: www.greatestbooksforkids.com.

“Don’t Be Afraid to Say No”