Child abuse books for kids - why didn't I think of that? (Not Now, Bernard - David McKee)

Member Name: bruffyboy

Product:	Not Now, Bernard - David McKee
Date:	04/05/09 (133 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: kids seem to like it

Disadvantages: condescending message

This children's book is written by the famous 'David McKee', and I was quite excited about reading it when we got it home from the library, on the strength of the author alone: oh how disappointed was I?

The book tells the story of Bernard, a young lad who is ignored by his all too busy parents, and who is then eaten by a monster, who like-wise is ignored by Bernard's mum and dad.

OK, as a kids' book, this works. The story is imaginative and unpredictable, and the illustrations that adorn each page are simple but entertaining, using almost full page colour paintings on each page. The language is repetitive and basic, making it a good book to learn vocab through. For my very clever two and a half year old, it's the perfect pitch, as he can remember some of it and needs help with the rest. ALthough written in 1980, the vocabulary isn't antiquated (perhaps apart from the name), and it sits well with more modern books such as Charlie and Lola.

The RRP is £4.99 for a soft-cover, which is about right for these sort of books, although it only take 2 minutes to read. Of course, soft-cover books never fare well over time with kids, as they get creased and crumpled, but that's just to make sure you buy it again for the next baby I'm sure. With this in mind, the hardcover is available from www.play.com for the same price of £4.99 and that includes delivery!

From a child's learning perspective, there is a strong message of 'persist and get the message through to a grown-up if something is wrong', which is quite a fear mongering message in my own opinion, but one that I suppose is worthwhile.

From a parent's perspective, I find it rather condescending. The message behind the book is 'don't ignore your kids', or 'If you have a son called Bernard, and he tells you there is a monster in the garden, don't ignore him'. Either way, I feel it's a very judgemental story; surely those parents who read it aren't the ones neglecting their kids anyway, and even if they are, what's the point of the book? To make them take stock and get down to some good old family time?

In my own opinion, anyone who calls their son Bernard in this day and age should be checked out by social services for neglect by choosing such a stupid name, so the clues were there in the first place anyway. And just what was the neglect all about? His dad was nailing a nail into the wall, and when he hit his thumb he went green; is this the incredible Hulk's family perhaps? On page two, Bernard's mum is on top of a stool getting something out of a cupboard: is she a dwarf? Why doesn't the dad (who from page one is clearly DIY minded) lower the shelves for poor Mrs Stumpy? In a few more pages, and mum is painting the wall, so it's clear this family is doing a major renovation and young Bernard shouldn't be there (toxic paint fumes and all). The more you look, the more neglect you find, and one can't help but think Bernard being eaten is escaping a tough life anyway.

Finally, one has to consider if it's a good thing to read a child a book about a little boy being eaten by a monster. However, in this case, the monster is so lovable and docile that it clearly isn't out to scare the young reader, but just make the story creative and imaginative by using the realm of fantasy.

With this title aside, David McKee has written some excellent books. Perhaps those who like this book may consider trying the Elmer books (Elmer actually appears in this book by the way!) McKee has published over 30 books, a list of which can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_McKee

Those who like monster based children's fiction should consider watching Monsters Inc, a film where the standard interpretation of a monster is turned on its head.

All in all, a nice book for kids, but a condescending one for adults.

Summary: dear oh dear