The Cause of Good Books for Children

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 266, 10 November 1945, Page 5

The Cause of Good Books for Children

“Children’s Book Week,” which has long been an established feature of children’s library activities abroad, is being held for the second time in New Zealand, from November 11 to 17 and the set up in Palmerston North will include extensive displays of children ’3 literature in the children’s room at the Municipal Library. Miss Margaret Watson, children’s librarian, will bo in attendance each day from 10 a.m. until 5.30 p.m. Chatting with the “Times” Miss Watson outlined the aims of these special features which .are chiefly to encourage the love of books and develop a broader field of reading among children. So far as adults are concerned it is desired to increase public interest and foster an appreciation of good books for children. Further, an important point is the need to increase support for book facilities and make good books more widely available. Over the last 25 years a new literature for children has developed and the older stories which delighted past generations have been edited, translated and illustrated by experts. Thus, children to-day should have the opportunity of reading both the old and the new literature. To-day boys and girls were asking for books as never before, Miss Watson stated. They were asking for books on science, trade and industry, also for books about people whose lives had been interesting and significant. These books should be sincere, accurate and well written.

The Prime Minister will be speaking on 1 'Children’s Book Week” over a National YA link-up on Monday evening and on Tuesday morning Miss Mary Parsons, director of the United States Library of Information, is to speak in the women’s session from 2YA while Mr. G. T. Alley, director of National Library Service will give a talk on a National YA link-up on Wednesday. Mrs. K. M. Nicholls, assistant librarian at the Palmerston North Municipal Library, will speak from the local station each Sunday, outlining tho aims and objects of this week and aspects of the children ’3 needs. In addition, there is to be a public meeting with short addresses by Misses E. E. Stephens (principal of the Palmerston North Girls’ High School), Rhondde Coveney (librarian CountryLibrary Service) and Margaret Watson, also Mr. R. A. Dickie, inspector of schools.

Last year’s observance showed that while the Country Library Service, public libraries and booksellers could obtain good children’s books only in limited numbers there was a real and lively interest among all sections of the public in the new and valuable type of children’s literature now being produced. Everything was done during the war years to permit the importation of as many books of this kind as conditions allowed, but one insurmountable factor has been the inability of British and American publishers to print more than a certain number of copies of each book. What has reached New Zealand has been of a high standard, well produced and illustrated. Already there are in the country the beginnings of a ttock of good, modern, general books.