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Should We Burn Babar?: Essays on Children's Literature and the Power of Stories

by
Herbert R. Kohl (Author)
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Herbert R. Kohl (Author), Jack David Zipes (Introduction)
3.6 out of 5 stars 11 customer reviews
ISBN-13: 978-1565842595
ISBN-10: 1565842596
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 192 pages
  • Publisher: The New Press (August 1, 1996)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1565842596
  • ISBN-13: 978-1565842595
  • Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,275,897 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

1.0 out of 5 starsLess about Babar and more an essay about the author's ideology
By Sporn Sober on July 27, 2007
Format: Paperback
Kohl's basic argument is that our children are being brainwashed by literature that corrupts their minds through the stories that are told to them. He claims stories like Babar teach children that prejudices are OK. He also claims children will interpret Babar in a way that will "subtly" make them embrace colonialism.

Central to his point, Kohl talks about 'radical' literature and what is missing in children and adolescent books. His use of the phrase 'radical literature' comes off more as a declaration of his ideology than it does describe characteristics of good literature.

These are the 6 characteristics he says needs to be in a story for it to be considered 'racical'.

(1) The main part of the story involves a community/large group/racial class/union.
(2) The conflict involves the whole community/class/racial group.
(3) Collective action is involved based on equity.
(4) There must be a known enemy who has abused power.
(5) The story focuses on unity of the people.
(6) There is not a happy ending.

That is just a summary of the 6 points. Within each of his criteria there is DETAILED criteria -- in essence, criteria within criteria. His definition of radical, which is about as specific as levitical law, becomes so narrow he is only able to find 2 pieces of literature to use as examples. Kohl cites one of these authors whose inspiration came from the likes of Marx, Lenin and Trotsky. These are not exactly people who have good reputations of doing good for others.

Besides Babar, other books on Kohl's hit list include Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" and Twain's "Huckleberry Finn."

I find his fundamental argument to be flawed. He says, "...Read more ›
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2.0 out of 5 starsShould We Spank Herbert R. Kohl?
By Michaël M. on August 26, 2015
Format: Hardcover
I bought this book to have another opinion on Babar after reading Empire's Old Clothes by Ariel Dorfman. It's a bit of a deception.

While Dorfman is clearly a man of his time, and he's not ashamed to admit it, making his writing a bit out of date sometimes (his examples come from Chilean comic books from the 60's) we can follow is thoughts and all his essays lead to the same goal: to think of what is, sometimes not so subtly, hidden behind children comic books, like Babar, the Lone Ranger, Donald Duck and a Chilean comic book I never heard of before, called Mampato. It's clear, thought provoking, and Marxist. So if your allergic to communism in any form (which is very common in Ayn Rand and MacCarthy's America), don't read it. If you're marxist-friendly and have children, don't hesitate, and read it.

Back to Kohl : a deception. The first essay, which is about Babar just repeat what Dorfman said, but without the fun, with a lot of other interpretations coming from here and there (e. g. "My wife suggested to me that it may means that"). It's a bit amateurish. In the end of this essay, Kohl, who doesn't know how to deal with books he doesn't want to keep, rubbish books really, decide to take it to the dump and bury them. A cheap auto-da-fé which was clearly coming seeing how many times the writer asked if we should burn Babar or not. We shouldn't. We shouldn't burn any books. No more room in his house? No friends who understand what these books talk about and have enough room in their house? Are you such a lonely man mister Kohl?

The second essay talk about Rosa Parks. A bit boring.Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsThoughtful and insightful progressive view of education
By Carolyn Kost on August 9, 2013
Format: Hardcover
Kohl writes three essays that demonstrate the power that the stories we tell have to shape the ways that children think about the world. Kohl devised his own method of shared inquiry and challenges the status quo ideology of European and wealthy at the pinnacle of culture and that which is to be emulated and desired. Anyone familiar with children's literature and stories that are part of the lexicon, like Rosa Parks and Pinocchio, will recognize the considerable evidence that Kohl uses to support his assertion that the stories we tell our children highlight "personal challenges and individual success...independence, personal responsibility and autonomy. The social imagination that encounters thinking about solidarity, cooperation, group struggle and belonging to a caring group is relegate to minority status. Healthy community life and collective community wide struggles are absent..."p.62

The final essay traces through story the history of education in the USA from colonial times to the present and what a story it is. Francis Parker, John Dewey, the rise of the "science of education," which gave rise to extensive non-teaching bureaucracies; the Gary Plan, akin to today's movement for community school; and Cubberly, whose pleas for federal funding gave rise to the Department of Education.

This is thoughtful, insightful work that anyone interested in education would find compelling, and which anyone who works with children should read.
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5.0 out of 5 starsIs Rosa Parks' story a falsehood?
By Ruth Paget on May 6, 2014
Format: Hardcover
Kohl examines nonfiction in this book as well and finds falsehood in the portrayal of Rosa Parks' role in the Civil Rights Movement in children's books. There are many at the library to check if this is true or not.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starshe sounds like a temperance crusader at times

Overdone and humorless, he sounds like a temperance crusader at times, but some interesting pieces.

Published 6 months ago by paul longo
4.0 out of 5 starsA book with meaning

This is a great work of literary criticism because it is actually relevant to our lives. Herbert Kohl's starting point is, what do we do about sexist, racist or undemocratic... Read more

Published on August 6, 2005 by John Green
2.0 out of 5 starsIt's a Kid's Book, Not a Bible for Isms

I like Herbert Kohl and his theory of 'creative maladjustment'. He's a persuasive author. But I do believe this book misses the whole point of Babar: learning to get along in a... Read more

Published on July 10, 2003
5.0 out of 5 starsThe last reviewer didn't read it

I'm sorry, but the quality of Amazon reviews needs to be a bit higher. The last reviewer obviously hasn't read the book, but has only made a comment of what s/he assumes is in the... Read more

Published on November 20, 2002 by J. F. Rick
5.0 out of 5 starsA great book--inspirational and thoughtful

As an author/illustrator of children's books and an avid reader, I found this book a great source of inspiration--it will also be a wonderful guide for parents who are concerned... Read more

Published on October 25, 1999 by Sitter
5.0 out of 5 starsIf I had a kid in school, I'd wish Herb Kohl was her teacher

Stories do affect us. We carry around memories of them for years, and their impact on our social behavior is immense. Read more

Published on August 8, 1999
1.0 out of 5 starsThe author is caught in the polically correct mindless fad.

The fact that Babar is a King probably confused Mr. Kohl into thinking that he is a "colonialist" and exploiter of the masses. Read more

Published on December 10, 1998

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