Would want to be warned BEFORE this book is read to your 2nd grade child?

[beattyfamily]

HERE's the book in question.

It's called "King & King".

"One day the queen decides she is tired of ruling. She decides her son shall marry before the end of summer and take over the kingdom. The queen calls princesses from near and far to meet her son. He is not impressed by any of them, but someone does catch his eye.

This colorful children’s book takes on a surprising twist, when the prince falls for another prince."

This was read to a class of 2nd graders in MA and parents are very upset they weren't warned beforehand so they could decide if they wanted it read to their child.

Do you think its appropriate reading for 2nd graders? Do you think the parents have a right to be upset?

I think the parents should have been warned. I think 2nd grade is too young to be read something like this in school.

 

[Chuck S]

Since same sex marriage is legal in MA, I would think children would be exposed to it anyway. If it were in a state that does not allow same sex marriages, then I don't think the book would necessarily be appropriate because the actions taken by the main characters would be illegal in their respective location.

 

[mytwotinks]

I have a 2nd grade dd and I would be FURIOUS! The teacher is probably hoping that the parents get mad though. She had to know they would. Sounds like someone is trying to get some attention!

 

[Maleficent13]

Since same sex marriage is legal in MA, I would think children would be exposed to it anyway. If it were in a state that does not allow same sex marriages, then I don't think the book would necessarily be appropriate because the actions taken by the main characters would be illegal in their respective location.

If the Kings don't get married, then it wouldn't be illegal. I haven't read the book; don't know how it ends.

To answer the OP: no, I wouldn't care if it was read to my 2nd grader without me knowing first.

 

[Aneille]

HERE's the book in question.

It's called "King & King".

"One day the queen decides she is tired of ruling. She decides her son shall marry before the end of summer and take over the kingdom. The queen calls princesses from near and far to meet her son. He is not impressed by any of them, but someone does catch his eye.

This colorful children’s book takes on a surprising twist, when the prince falls for another prince."

This was read to a class of 2nd graders in MA and parents are very upset they weren't warned beforehand so they could decide if they wanted it read to their child.

Do you think its appropriate reading for 2nd graders? Do you think the parents have a right to be upset?

I think the parents should have been warned. I think 2nd grade is too young to be read something like this in school.

Wouldn't bother me, but because some have strong religous and moral beliefs about gay relationships I think the school should have warned the parents.

In my opinion I don't think 2nd grade is too young at all. Some of the kids in school may have gay parents or gay family members. A 2nd grader is going on frequent playdates and really starting to move out of their family setting and starting to see how others families live.

 

[AllyandJack]

On John DePetro yesterday, he had the mother on. She said that the Prince refused the Princesses because they one was too fat, one was black, one wore glasses, and one had some sort of disability. If this is true (I've never seen the book, I'm just going by what the woman said), I'd be more concerned about THAT.

But, yeah, I'd want notification. I'd want the chance to sit my 7 year old down and talk to them about what they knew or didn't know and to explain the story and answer questions. I'm in favor of gay marriage (I'm not religious, so marriage, to me, is just a legal/personal relationship), but I would like any chance I can get to be the first to explain social issues to my child.

 

[Maleficent13]

On John DePetro yesterday, he had the mother on. She said that the Prince refused the Princesses because they one was too fat, one was black, one wore glasses, and one had some sort of disability. If this is true (I've never seen the book, I'm just going by what the woman said), I'd be more concerned about THAT.

Now THAT, I'd have a problem with.

 

[beattyfamily]

Since same sex marriage is legal in MA, I would think children would be exposed to it anyway. If it were in a state that does not allow same sex marriages, then I don't think the book would necessarily be appropriate because the actions taken by the main characters would be illegal in their respective location.

Yes, it's legal but not because of a vote by the people of MA.

Also there is a law in place called the Mass. Parental Notification Law which states:

CHAPTER 71. PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Section 32A. Every city, town, regional school district or vocational school district implementing or maintaining curriculum which primarily involves human sexual education or human sexuality issues shall adopt a policy ensuring parental/guardian notification. Such policy shall afford parents or guardians the flexibility to exempt their children from any portion of said curriculum through written notification to the school principal. No child so exempted shall be penalized by reason of such exemption.

Said policy shall be in writing, formally adopted by the school committee as a school district policy and distributed by September first, nineteen hundred and ninety-seven, and each year thereafter to each principal in the district. A copy of each school district's policy must be sent to the department of education after adoption.

To the extent practicable, program instruction materials for said curricula shall be made reasonably accessible to parents, guardians, educators, school administrators, and others for inspection and review.

The department of education shall promulgate regulations for adjudicatory proceedings to resolve any and all disputes arising under this section.

 

[Chuck S]

On John DePetro yesterday, he had the mother on. She said that the Prince refused the Princesses because they one was too fat, one was black, one wore glasses, and one had some sort of disability. If this is true (I've never seen the book, I'm just going by what the woman said), I'd be more concerned about THAT.

If that is true, then the book is inappropriate for any classroom full of youngsters. I haven't read the book, either...but if it is truly presented that the reasons the prince didn't like the woman was because of such things, it should NOT be presented by a teacher. IMO

 

[Disneyrsh]

The school needs to teach my kids academics, not social relations.

Heads would roll.

I also have no intention of letting them teach my daughters sex education, either.

I'm sick of being told that my role as a parent is abrogated to the government.

I teach them rules, morals, character, and good judgement, not the school.

And woe be to ye, school lackeys, who try to tell me otherwise.

 

[alliecats]

So, what is this book saying? That when his only choices are fat girls, black girls, girls with disabilities, and girls with glasses, a guy will become gay?? That is the stupidest thing I ever heard. I mean, God knows, girls with glasses...bleh!!! But still! (Said as I am sitting here wearing my very cute brown plastic glasses!)

I would be madder that such a stupid book was read to my kids. This does not sound like good kiddy lit, it sounds like a statement book, and a clumsy one at that.

 

[Chuck S]

Yes, it's legal but not because of a vote by the people of MA.

Also there is a law in place called the Mass. Parental Notification Law which states:

CHAPTER 71. PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Section 32A. Every city, town, regional school district or vocational school district implementing or maintaining curriculum which primarily involves human sexual education or human sexuality issues shall adopt a policy ensuring parental/guardian notification. Such policy shall afford parents or guardians the flexibility to exempt their children from any portion of said curriculum through written notification to the school principal. No child so exempted shall be penalized by reason of such exemption.

Said policy shall be in writing, formally adopted by the school committee as a school district policy and distributed by September first, nineteen hundred and ninety-seven, and each year thereafter to each principal in the district. A copy of each school district's policy must be sent to the department of education after adoption.

To the extent practicable, program instruction materials for said curricula shall be made reasonably accessible to parents, guardians, educators, school administrators, and others for inspection and review.

The department of education shall promulgate regulations for adjudicatory proceedings to resolve any and all disputes arising under this section.

Whether the same sex marriage law was voted on by the people or not is irrelevent to the book reading, it is still legal and children will be seeing same sex married couples in public, in fact they may even have some teachers married to someone of the same sex.

As to the notification law, I think this is borderline and would have to be decided on by a court. Evidently the book is not overtly sexual, nor does it deal specifically with "sexuality", but defining marriage.

 

[AllyandJack]

I said before, I had no problems with the book, as long as I was told. But, I'll play Devil's Advocate. Drinking is legal in MA, too. Are we going to start bringing in books that have adults consuming alcohol in the 2nd grade? What about smoking? Do we bring in books that show pictures of adults lighting up? How much is too much when it comes to a 7 year old?

This is a school that would kick a kid out if they dared bring in A Christmas Story. The school system wouldn't allow that, but this book is OK in the name of "tolerance". It's actually pretty funny coming from this school system.

I'd like to hear if what the woman said about the book is true....has anyone here read it?

 

[Puffy2]

I don't care.

 

[Puffy2]

On John DePetro yesterday, he had the mother on. She said that the Prince refused the Princesses because they one was too fat, one was black, one wore glasses, and one had some sort of disability. If this is true (I've never seen the book, I'm just going by what the woman said), I'd be more concerned about THAT.

That makes it even MORE interesting...in that it sounds like the prince was so stuck up that he ended up choosing only someone exactly like himself. Different message entirely. And a clever one at that, in some respects.

 

[buddy&wooz]

Using the amazon "search inside this book" feature (searched for "princess") I was able to see some of the illustrations, and yes, one princess is black and looks a bit stuck up, one wears glasses and has an odd expression on her face.

But one looks kinda cute & juggles- what prince wouldn't love that, gay or straight ?- I don't know. It's all in the illustrations, the text doesn't say exactly what the prince didn't like.

Back to the original question, I'd want to know if it was being read, but only because I'm sure my son would have questions about the subject matter. I think if you bring up the topic but don't let kids then talk about it, you're losing a chance to educate them. I think it would be great if it was as matter of fact as reading any fairy tale, but it's not. No one reads this story without an agenda of some sort.

 

[beattyfamily]

I forgot to mention that this happened in the same town and school that had another book issue about a year ago.

A kindergarten class was given a bag of books to bring home. One of the books was "Who's In a Family," a 29-page illustrated children's book that includes illustrations of homosexual parents.

I think someone at that school has a definite agenda.

 

[ktink]

The school needs to teach my kids academics, not social relations.

Heads would roll.

I also have no intention of letting them teach my daughters sex education, either.

I'm sick of being told that my role as a parent is abrogated to the government.

I teach them rules, morals, character, and good judgement, not the school.

And woe be to ye, school lackeys, who try to tell me otherwise.

I couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[tarmand]

Devil's Advocate here:

Would the Catholic bible be okay for them to read to that same class? I doubt it, so why should they be able to read a book to my 2nd grader that might go against my beliefs?

Just to clarify, I don't understand it, but I have no problem with homosexuality. I am, in fact, more impressed by my family members that have come out than by those who continue to hide their true selves. But, I think that we all try to determine at what age we should discuss things with our children and some people (possibly including myself, I've never really thought about it since my daughter's only 2) aren't comfortable discussing things like homosexuality with a 2nd grader - exspecially if it goes against religious beliefs.

 

[declansdad]

The school needs to teach my kids academics, not social relations.

Heads would roll.

I also have no intention of letting them teach my daughters sex education, either.

I'm sick of being told that my role as a parent is abrogated to the government.

I teach them rules, morals, character, and good judgement, not the school.

And woe be to ye, school lackeys, who try to tell me otherwise.

Congrats to you for teaching your daughter rules, morals, characters and good judgement. But does this include sex education? If it does, I give even more congratulations.

Many parents do not teach their children anything about sex and it has been left up to the schools to take up that challenge. It may be unfortunate but it needs to be done somewhere.