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thereadingcountess 's review for:
The Indian in the Cupboard
by Lynne Reid Banks
I've read this book aloud to a group of third graders when I was a newbie teacher (i.e. twenty years ago), and they loved it. I just finished reading it again to another set of third graders and once again, it didn't disappoint. This is a highly engaging story about two friends with a secret-their "plas-tick" cowboy and Indian (and any other "plas-tick" figure)can come to life with the turn of a key in a cupboard. It's a story about friendship and what is truly important in life. Kids love this timeless, imaginative tale and each chapter leaves them wanting more. Isn't that what we want from our young readers?
That's why I was disappointed to see some reviewers vehemently discouraging teachers to pick it up and read it aloud. Why, you might ask? Apparently, Lynne Reid Banks' depiction of Little Bear is unfavorable and insensitive. Have we gone so far around the bend as to actually discourage kids from reading or having a book read to them simply because the book (published in 1980) has references to "the red man?" Remember, folks, it was written when the American consciousness didn't blink when cheering for the "Washington Redskins." My class did discuss some of Little Bear's comments, for sure, which added a depth to the book that would be sorely lacking if we had not. But to not read it because of those few references?
We live in a strange world now, indeed.
Highly recommended.
That's why I was disappointed to see some reviewers vehemently discouraging teachers to pick it up and read it aloud. Why, you might ask? Apparently, Lynne Reid Banks' depiction of Little Bear is unfavorable and insensitive. Have we gone so far around the bend as to actually discourage kids from reading or having a book read to them simply because the book (published in 1980) has references to "the red man?" Remember, folks, it was written when the American consciousness didn't blink when cheering for the "Washington Redskins." My class did discuss some of Little Bear's comments, for sure, which added a depth to the book that would be sorely lacking if we had not. But to not read it because of those few references?
We live in a strange world now, indeed.
Highly recommended.