susan linn, director of the campaign, says, "The message that children get when books are marketed with other items is that a book in and of itself isn’t enough. And what it does is encourage children to choose books based not on the content but on what they get with it.” (emphasis mine)
judy newman, president of scholastic book clubs counters by saying that "books sold with small items like stickers to help engage children who 'may not be traditional readers.' "
sounds like a good pedagogical brawl is in the works! in one corner: heavy weight james "literacy comes in a variety of forms" gee. in the other: neil "books are always better" postman.
round one: ding ding.
It's interesting that Linn would think the books lose out by the comparison, like seeing a book next to a video game makes it less cool. I don't know if I'm just inherently pro-book but I feel like seeing a book marketed next to a video game would make the book seem even cooler and make me want it (and perhaps the game). Then, of course, there is also the issue of games having literacy value too. I think I just talked myself in a circle ...
ReplyDeleteI am in hands-down full agreement that the book club flier was the single best part of grade school (just thinking about the tissue-paper feel of its pages and the dozens of items I would circle gets me excited!). And although I think I could easily follow either of paths--be it into a corner or circle--I think it may suffice to say that if we want to attack issues surrounding children's literacy and education, why not rant about the commodification of literature? Those big bad capitalists that are selling books! It makes me want to watch "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and bemoan the commercialization of it all. Except that I loved those fliers and they played a part of my early financial education (allowance, budgeting, etc.). Children that aren't interestd in books and like video games won't become interested by excluding what they like; it's not about a limiting factor. I think Emma said it all above, "A video game next to a book may make the book seem even cooler" -- relational marketing. Good ploy. Then again, if I'm not into video games (as I've already outted myself in class), I'm probably not going to bother looking at the game, or vice verse. If a child isn't interested in reading, it is not the fault of a book club flier, but rather says something much more significant about the education he or she is receiving.
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