Fat-shaming is just the start. Seek fault in kids’ books and it’ll never end | Catherine Bennett

Author Jill Murphy’s elephants have been judged poor role models. They’re not the only ones in children’s literature

“‘I’m fat,’ said Mrs Large.” If the first line of Jill Murphy’s A Piece of Cake, one of a series featuring a houseful of elephants, lacks the subtlety of, say: “All happy families are alike… ”, the impact is undeniable.

Some parents have, without getting much further, thrown the children’s book in the bin, or left their condemnation or warnings on various reviewing sites, such that the text’s alleged risks have now achieved national prominence. Under headlines mentioning “fat-shaming”, A Piece of Cake was itself targeted last week, as, it is occasionally argued, a purveyor of harmful messages about size and exercise and a potential contributor to eating disorders.

Related: Picture books for children – reviews

Continue reading...

from Children | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2Q4AvRE