Charles Dickens is too difficult for today's children, says his biographer
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Charles Dickens' biographer Claire Tomalin says modern children are unable to read his work because of their poor attention span and diet of 'dreadful television programmes'.
Claire Tomalin was speaking ahead of the 200th anniversary of the writer's birth.
She told the Press Association that Dickens was still "amazingly relevant", but that children were not sufficiently educated in terms of concentration to commit to his texts.
She said: "Children are not being educated to have prolonged attention spans and you have to be prepared to read steadily for a Dickens novel and I think that's a pity."
Dickens was, Claire says, 'the greatest creator of characters in English' after Shakespeare:
"He has gone on entertaining people since the 1830s and his characters' names are known all over the world.
"And because of the way he wrote, he adapts very well for theatre and even people who do not read him know about him from films, the TV and musicals.
"You only have to look around our society and everything he wrote about in the 1840s is still relevant - the great gulf between the rich and poor, corrupt financiers, corrupt MPs, how the country is run by old Etonians, you name it, he said it."
Ms Tomalins's comments come in the wake of Nick Gibb, the minister of state for schools, saying that Dickens could transform kids' reading habits and that "Every child ought to read a Dickens novel by the age of 11."
What do you think? Do you encourage your children to read classics like Dickens? Or do you agree with Claire Tomalin that kids' just aren't equipped for such lengthy works these days?
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone<p style="margin-left: 36pt;"> A publishing phenomenon which is surely essential reading for the junior school years. This, the first of Rowling’s Harry Potter books, introduces Harry, Hogwarts and his wizardy world.</p> <p style="margin-left:36pt;"> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Harry-Potter-Philosophers-Stone-Book/dp/0747558191/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1301061008&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone</a>, J.K. Rowling, £6.99, published by Bloomsbury</p> <p style="margin-left: 36pt;"> Other favourites by the same author:<br /> The rest of the Harry Potter books</p>
- Diary of a wimpy kid<p> Wimpy Kid started off online and has evolved into a series of bestselling books, plus two feature films (the second, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules came out in the UK last month). The ‘diary with cartoons’ format has masses of appeal for young readers but more than anything, it’s the way the stories deal with school, family and friendships in a laugh out loud way that makes them such a hit. <br /> <br /> Lauren Munger, 10, says: “The first book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney. I love it because it is funny, original and imaginable, but portrays a real life message of friendship.”</p> <p> <a href="http:// http://www.amazon.co.uk/Diary-Wimpy-Kid-Jeff-Kinney/dp/0141324902" target="_blank">Diary of a Wimpy Kid</a>, Jeff Kinney, £6.99, published by Puffin</p>
- The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe<p> One of the biggest selling children’s books ever, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe sees Lucy, Peter, Edmund and Susan enter the world of Narnia, and all through a wardrobe. A fantastic fantasy read for children in this age group. </p> <p> Other favourites by the same author:<br /> The other Chronicles of Narnia.</p> <p> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chronicles-Narnia-Lion-Witch-Wardrobe/dp/000711561X " target="_blank">The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe</a>, C.S. Lewis, £5.99, published by Harper Collins<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </p>
- When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit<p> Kerr’s semi-autobiographical book tells nine-year-old Anna’s story of fleeing Nazi Germany with her Jewish family. Both exciting and charming - as renowned children’s author Michael Morpurgo’s cover blurb puts it, 'the most life-enhancing book you could ever wish to read.'<br /> <br /> Parentdish reviewer, Louise Bate, now 12, says: 'Award-winning children’s author Judith Kerr retraces her childhood experiences and uses them to write this stunning book. For my 10th Christmas I received this book and it is one of those rare stories that I will keep forever.'<br /> <br /> Other favourites by the same author:<br /> Mog (for younger children)<br /> <br /> The Tiger Who Came to Tea (for younger children)</p> <p> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0007274777/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=103612307&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=000713763X&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=183K1EY33Y35JCQ626TA" target="_blank">When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit</a>, Judith Kerr,£5.99, published by HarperCollins<br /> <br /> </p>
- Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief<p> Percy is a normal American kid who likes normal American kid stuff, until he accidentally vaporises his maths teacher (we bet there’s quite a lot of children who’d like to do that…) He then discovers he’s actually a demi-God and becomes part of a dangerous and complicated world of adventure, based on Greek mythology. Hugely popular with ‘tweens’ and now a Hollywood film.<br /> <br /> Other favourites by the same author:<br /> The rest of the Percy Jackson series<br /> The Heroes of Olympus series</p> <p> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Percy-Jackson-Lightning-Thief-Riordan/dp/0141319135/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1301399137&sr=1-6" target="_blank">Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief</a>, Rick Riordan, £6.99, published by Puffin<br /> </p>
- The story of Tracy Beaker<p> First published in 1991, and later turned into a popular television series, this award-winning story sees rebellious Tracy sent to a children’s home, and tells of the ups and downs of her life there. Best kept for the latter years of junior school due to some of the themes covered.<br /> <br /> Other favourites by the same author:<br /> The other Tracy Beaker stories<br /> The Illustrated Mum</p> <p> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Story-Tracy-Beaker-Jacqueline-Wilson/dp/0440867576/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1301477638&sr=1-1" target="_blank">The Story of Tracy Beaker</a>, Jacqueline Wilson, £5.99, published by Corgi Yearling.<br /> <br /> </p>
- Beast Quest ? Ferno the Fire Dragon<p> Not classics by any means but firm favourites with so many, particularly boys, that we absolutely had to include them. Readers get free ‘collection cards’ (akin to Top Trumps) with each of the many books, adding even more to their appeal.<br /> <br /> Max Rolt Bacino, 8, is a big Beast Quest fan and gave this summary: “Tom fights weird beasts and I love the beasts because they all look different and they live in different places in this country called Avantia.”<br /> <br /> Other favourites by the same author:<br /> Take your pick – there are now over 50 Beast Quest books across nine series…<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ferno-Fire-Dragon-Beast-Quest/dp/1846164834/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&" target="_blank">Beast Quest – Ferno the Fire Dragon</a>, Adam Blade, £4.99, published by Orchard Books.<br /> <br /> </p>
- Alice's adventures in Wonderland<p> Beautifully-presented edition of a timeless tale, with new illustrations bringing the characters to life. Still a wonderful and hugely imaginative read, despite it being almost 150 years since it was first published. And no, we haven’t made a mistake with the price – it really is just £2.<br /> <br /> Other favourites by the same author:<br /> Through the Looking Glass</p> <p> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Adventures-Wonderland-Penguin-Popular-Classics/dp/0140620869" target="_blank">Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland</a>, Lewis Carroll, £2, published by Penguin.<br /> </p>
- War horse<p> The gripping story of a farm horse called Joey who is thrown into the chaos of the frontline during World War One. This is an incredible book but it is at times upsetting, so it’s better-suited to readers who have reached double figures rather than younger ones, unless they are particularly robust. <br /> <br /> Other favourites by the same author:<br /> Torro Torro<br /> The Butterfly Lion<br /> Private Peaceful<br /> The Last Wolf</p> <p> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1405226668/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=103612307&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0749748508&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=1YVBYQX8QJJVSRBF95GC" target="_blank">War Horse</a>, Michael Morpurgo, £5.99, published by Egmont.<br /> </p>
- Tom?s Midnight Garden<p> Beautifully written book about a young boy, Tom, who is sent to stay at his aunt’s gardenless flat for the summer. When, at midnight, the clock strikes thirteen, Tom ventures downstairs and finds a magical garden awaits him. The enchanting plot leads readers to an emotional ending – have tissues at the ready!</p> <p> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toms-Midnight-Garden-Philippa-Pearce/dp/0192792423/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1301491100&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Tom’s Midnight Garden</a>, Philippa Pearce, £6.99, published by OUP.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </p>
