For those of us who grew up reading My orange lime plantof José Mauro de Vasconcelos; Heartof Edmundo de Amicisor the books of Poldy Bird It is surprising to imagine that today people are questioning what to give boys and girls to read. When the topic of friendship in a previous note in this sectionit was written that the topic should not be the most important or significant thing. However, there is a discussion about what to say and how.
In reality, the discussion is deeper and unfolds another series of questions and subtopics in this regard, ranging from what children’s literature is (taking ‘children’s’ as an adjective); reading trajectories versus chronological ages; literature on values, and a long etcetera that will not be developed in this note, but that, at some point, could have an impact on what and how to write for childhood. And it is interesting to stop at this point because an interesting question arises. Can painful or taboo topics be touched on in literature intended for the little ones?
Specialists like Fanuel Hannah Diazwith extensive experience in these cultural consumptions, and also Maria Teresa Andruetto In different books and articles, they point out that in a literary circuit in which children are non-intervening subjects in the production of those books, adults can know little about what is appropriate or relevant. There is a look that comes from the adult who creates. And it is made from his point of view, filtered by values, prejudices and beliefs.
Another interesting indicator that both specialists point out is how dangerous it can become for literature to think or conceive of it from “values.” Perhaps this issue is admitted from reception –not so much agreed by the person writing this note–, but not from production, because it ends up fulfilling a role for which it was not created. Literature is an artistic fact and it should not fulfill a utilitarian function as a transmitter of values.
This does not mean that it cannot mediate or function so that boys and girls identify with a story and its characters, but it should not be its germ. Nowadays, they consume large amounts of stimuli that we would not want even remotely touching them, so a book is not exempt from this. This allows us to think that There are no forbidden, painful, taboo or complicated topics..
Hugo is hungry (AZ, 2024), de Silvia Schujer and Monica Weiss. The title admits no surprises, there are no euphemisms. So that? During much of the book, uncertainty takes over the reader, who will oscillate between anguish and intrigue. However, there is some tenderness – perhaps because of the illustrations? – that allows us to digest what Hugo cannot. Until a plot twist with the introduction of a dog – and a somewhat comical situation – and you can breathe normally again.
This book, whose first publication was in 2006 by another publisher, unfortunately has not lost its validity and portrays poverty and hunger, two scourges that children and adults face around the planet.
my secret (del Naranjo, 2024), from Ethel Batista y Alejandra Saracho. It is not the first book that introduces the topic of gender in childhood – such as, for example, Dani Umpi con mom’s dress– However, in this case, its protagonist and narrator – who does not even have a name – expresses a feeling of anguish that is expressed in a few lines and in some overwhelming and disturbing illustrations in white, black, gray and red. A book that closes more with questions than with answers.
Small and extraordinary things (Limonero, 2024), from Daniela Arroio, Micaela Gramajo y Ninth Pautassois one of the few books that address exile and the disappeared without mentioning them directly. With astonishing subtlety, she describes the pain, the anger, the confusion that Ema suffers when she has to leave her life as she knew it without understanding much why. From the first-person description of his world of a few years, he will delve into a fact that will change his reality.
With humor and tenderness in equal parts, readers will witness its story, as well as the change of outlook of its protagonist.
A story without clichés (pípala, 2023), de Davide Calì y Anna Aparicio Catalan. It is, apparently, another book whose title seems to leave nothing to the imagination. But yes, it is very surprising. It is the only one in this selection that is genuinely humorous, but from a place that is appreciated: that of fine irony. This book plays with limits, with the pact between reader, author, protagonist and text; It is encouraged to discuss feminism, alcohol, beauty, and power in a book for children, almost without young readers being so aware of it.
It is a metatext par excellence that demonstrates what was mentioned at the beginning of this note: literature is for enjoyment, for enjoyment, no matter the age or the topic.
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These are just a few recommendations from the plethora of literature that exists for boys and girls. The important thing is to discover what the preferred readings may be. The important thing is to read.
