Would you want your kids to read this?

Question

This seriously is ridiculus:http://latinalista.blogspot.com/2006/10/scholastic-book-titled-angry-aztecs.html

i know if i had kids i wouldnt want them to. its not the book but it is the concept of it. Scolastic is a good company, why this. you're telling kids to basically to laugh at someones culturre. not even funny things but "bad things". common sense. the author is then telling people to not take it serious. but these are not adults they are 8-12 year olds. like someone said, its like telling a kid not to eat candy off of the floor.you're calling someones ancestors blood thirsty and foul and not expecting them to soak it up.

common sense!

wat do you think?

Answer 1

you are right. i agree with you.

Answer 2

I have not read the actual book, and the context of the story may be done in bad taste to say the least. Scholastic Books may have thought they were offering something different without realizing the uproar it would receive.

As for keeping kids view of history clean til they get older, I think that is wrong. The Aztec society was a rather violent one, and that aspect was a huge part of their culture. I don't want my son getting the candy coated version of any history while young, and learning a whole new version in college. That would not be a good education.

Answer 3

My first reaction was that it was horrible, but then I saw that it was a part of a series called Horrible Histories, which would indicate to me that the whole series of books might have some brutal honesty about many different cultures. And I believe those books are written in a fun way that will appeal to kids, and gross and brutally honest is what kids those ages like. I'm sure there will be things my daughter will read in school that I don't agree with or that might even offend me or shock her. But that's where I will step in and have a conversation with her about what is right and wrong and will also try to help her understand it.

Answer 4

Wow! Those books look great! Thanks for posting the link. If you click on the horrible histories link it takes you to a list of the entire series.

I home school my kids and I'm always looking for supplements to their history lessons. These are perfect. I don't see a problem with these books at all. They don't sugar coat anything. Don't you want your child to have a factual perspective of history rather than being spoon fed politically correct propaganda?

You say common sense and I agree--this is all about common sense. But if we go by your logic then we should teach kids that Hitler was a big ole teddy bear who gave warm fuzzies to the jews. Children that are in the age range of 8-12 are old enough to learn the truth in history. Give them some credit.

History is full of the good and the bad. Our world has always been full of violence, conflicts and struggle. Through that we learn about the human ability to persevere and that in hard times compassion shines through. What the heck is a child going to learn about his world if we just tell him it has always been roses and daisies and no one has ever faced obstacles?

Answer 5

First off...what wrong ideas could we possible be teaching our children by letting them read THIS book? So what? It is about a violent culture, as was MOST of the culteres from that era...I do not think the book is poking fun at the Aztecs, simply because...there was NOTHING to poke fun of....They were one of the richest ppl of that time period, and that my friend is nothing to make fun of...Now if its just about the violence...Have u allowed ur child to read the Holy Bible? That is FULL of violence, however, I do not think the Author of that particular book, was trying to make fun of anyone, but to edcuate us..If you have a problem with this particular book, its simple..don't let ur children READ it..I however, I belive that talking to a child, and explaining not everyone is nice, and yes, some rituals were common place at that time...Most children, if sat down and talked to, understand more, then we as adults give them credit for

Answer 6

I think as parents we have the responsibility to teach our kids. Is this the way to teach kids about history? Maybe or maybe not. I do know that when you teach your children things -you want them to ask questions, think and have discussions about the topics. As much as I hate to say it - doesn't this book do that? Don't you as a parent have to sit with your child- read this book and than discuss the whys? It gives you the opportunity to not only spend time with your child but to ecourage the child to look at the different ways cultures are taught, and gives you an opportunity to discuss what cultures are usually ignored as teaching tools. Amazing isn't it? This book, even if you don't want to admit it has made you think - Now it's up to you to teach your child about why it doesn't show the culture in a positive light!

Answer 7

I'm at the borderline. I've read that entire blogspot page, and this Deary guy has me convinced that it really isn't to be taken seriously. (And BTW, of course I would tell my kids not to eat candy off of the floor, isn't that supposed to be called parenting?)

I think it's one of those books that kids should be catious about. Yes, some of the material may be stereotypical to certain cultures, but what I think Deary is trying to say is, "Read the book and talk about it to a trusted adult, ask questions." I myself wouldn't want my kids to read it because I know nothing of the Latin culture; what would I say to them?

Finally, I think it's going overboard to allow this to be read in schools. It does not belong in elementary schools, really. I would have this in a child's book collecton for "leisure reading" purposes only.

Answer 8

I didn't like it. Parent's that use Scolastis as educational tools should read the material first. But this schould be complained about...

My child gets educated about different cultures....but I hand pick his material. Because I read about other cultures, myself. We also watch documentries together & talk about them.

My child has an added bonus of having international friendships, so he kinda has a hands on approach to culture. We have family friends in Romania and Australia. So culture learning is a part of his daily life.

Answer 9

Relax, this isn't a bad thing. It's history. All people have horrible ancestors in someplace or another. Why do we hide behind our polite society and pretend it didn't happen. It's not insulting to anyone, it's fact. I see it as a way to introduce kids to history, it leads to more serious study later on because they are familiar with it. I have kids, and I am not offended.

Answer 10

I read the article, and I thought the book was cute. It isn't insulting Aztec culture, just making it more interesting to red about for kids with short attention spans. It's not like the Aztecs are your neighbors and now all the kids are going to egg their house because they eat human hearts for dinner.

Answer 11

First of all, if people would learn to quit being so sensitive, there would be a lot less anger in the world. Secondly, the literature is meant to be entertaining to minors, not adults. They do not view things in the same perspective as we do. My children read it. And when asked what they thought, their comments resembled nothing that you claim the text meant. So obviously your response to this story is your opinion as is my response. As long as we explain to our children the purpose of what they learn then I see no reason why we should shelter them so much. They should know the bad of EVERY culture as well as the good to learn not to make the same unmerciful mistakes.