The Well-Trained Mind podcast

When Classics Curdle: Reading Children's Literature that Did Not Age Well

Listen Later

Summary: In this episode, Susan and Susanna discuss their thoughts on teaching children’s literature, particularly older books that have problematic or insensitive content. 


Show Notes: 


Articles We Reference: 


  • Are some children’s classics unsuitable for kids? The Guardian
  • American Indians in Children’s Literature Web Page by Debbie Reese 
  • Ted Talk: The Danger of a Single Story
  • Booklists and Resources for Finding Windows and Mirrors: 
    • https://www.storiesofcolor.com/
    • https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/
    • Heritage Mom Recommendations for Black History
  • (00:00) - Intro
  • (00:14) - The inspiration for this episode
  • (01:03) - Revisiting classic books with objectionable content
  • (04:21) - Defining and discussing "objectionable content"
  • (18:19) - How do we read these books?
  • (25:04) - Break
  • (25:13) - Reading classic literature in the grammar stage
  • (40:38) - Susanna's experience with classic literature
  • (44:32) - Windows and Mirrors
  • (47:14) - Classic literature in the logic and rhetoric stage
  • (48:58) - There are definitely books that should be skipped
  • (52:35) - An important question to ask yourself
  • (55:53) - At the end of the day
  • (57:25) - Outro
    • ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store
    The Well-Trained Mind podcastBy Susan Wise Bauer & Susanna Jarrett
    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7

    4.7

    120 ratings

    More shows like The Well-Trained Mind podcast

    View all
    Read-Aloud Revival ® by Sarah Mackenzie

    Read-Aloud Revival ®

    3,360 Listeners

    Life with Sally by Sally Clarkson

    Life with Sally

    2,977 Listeners

    Homeschool Better Together with Pam Barnhill by Pam Barnhill

    Homeschool Better Together with Pam Barnhill

    686 Listeners

    A Delectable Education Charlotte Mason Podcast by Liz Cottrill, Emily Kiser and Nicole Williams

    A Delectable Education Charlotte Mason Podcast

    1,019 Listeners

    Scholé Sisters: Camaraderie for Classical Homeschooling Mamas by Brandy Vencel, Mystie Winckler, and Abby Wahl

    Scholé Sisters: Camaraderie for Classical Homeschooling Mamas

    528 Listeners

    Simply Charlotte Mason Homeschooling by Sonya Shafer

    Simply Charlotte Mason Homeschooling

    515 Listeners

    Brave Writer by Julie Bogart and Melissa Wiley

    Brave Writer

    894 Listeners

    Simply Convivial: Biblical Homemaking, Homeschooling & Mom Life—Without Burnout by Mystie Winckler

    Simply Convivial: Biblical Homemaking, Homeschooling & Mom Life—Without Burnout

    313 Listeners

    The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast by 1000 Hours Outside

    The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast

    2,136 Listeners

    The Literary Life Podcast by Angelina Stanford Thomas Banks

    The Literary Life Podcast

    1,171 Listeners

    Homeschool Made Simple by Homeschool Made Simple

    Homeschool Made Simple

    400 Listeners

    The New Mason Jar with Cindy Rollins by Cindy Rollins

    The New Mason Jar with Cindy Rollins

    428 Listeners

    Little by Little Homeschool - Christian Homeschool, Homeschooling, Motherhood, Homemaking, Education, Family by Leigh Nguyen - Homeschool Mom, Homeschooling, Education, Motherhood, Homemaking, Christian Parenting

    Little by Little Homeschool - Christian Homeschool, Homeschooling, Motherhood, Homemaking, Education, Family

    310 Listeners

    Restoration Home with Jennifer Pepito by Jennifer Pepito

    Restoration Home with Jennifer Pepito

    182 Listeners

    Nat Theo Nature Lessons Rooted in the Bible by Eryn Lynum

    Nat Theo Nature Lessons Rooted in the Bible

    457 Listeners