Strange Interpretation of Goodnight Moon
December 4, 2006 by Lei
Filed under Children's Books
Biology professor PZ Myers at Pharyngula has some commentary on children’s books and points to an interesting New Yorker interpretation of the classic Goodnight Moon found by Lance Mannion.
Goodnight Mush by Elizabeth Kolbert
The arrangement in “Goodnight Moon” is completely uneven. Time moves forward, and the little bunny doesn’t stand a chance. Parent and child are, in this way, brought together, on tragic terms. You don’t want to go to sleep. I don’t want to die. But we both have to.
Ms. Kolbert’s piece is bizarre to say the least as well as overly analytical with a bitter taste. Is it too much to ask that we just take fiction at face value and enjoy it for what it is and no more? Or am I just shallow?
Technorati Tags: goodnight moon, childrens books, books, reading, new yorker, elizabeth kolbert, children, kids, parenting
I bet her kids just love story time.
It’s not one of my favorite children’s books but I get tired of over analyzation. If they want to rip stuff apart, there’s much more to talk about on t.v. and in movies than in classics like Goodnight Moon.
Mike: She’s grim, isn’t she?
Michelle: No kidding!!