I am paring down and find my children's literature contains some pieces
which are classics of their time (40s, 50s, 60s, 70s.)
The types of scenarios in cheerful children's literature feel charming,
representational, yet sometimes dangerous if viewed as applicable now.
In context, I found them useful even thru 90s to share values of those
times with modern children. I am reluctant to junk them.
ex _The Green Thumb Story_ of 1952 is a wonderful view of childhood
simplicity as a child learns of his ability to master growing plants.
But the lesson he is taught is the need for fertilizer from a bag, and
removing as invader anything other than his flowers (although he does
interplant 2 types of flowers.) It ends with his reveling in mastery of
a lifetime skill of "helping green plants grow." Read with _The Midas
Touch_ as the next story, interesting dialogs ensue. But alone, I can't
decide to pitch it. It won't be kept as great literature. If it were put
in a library it would be discarded as not read any more. Yet I feel it
holds important story.
Anyone know about literature banks?