PiCO Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 While I was waiting for older dd to finish her diving practice, I went to a nearby bookstore. There was an emplyee in the children's section reading a story aloud to a large group of children. So many great book out there, and she was reading... (wait for it...) Sponge Bob Square Pants! AAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!!! (I have no problem with Sponge Bob as a cartoon, for adults anyway... but really? Do you have to choose that as your read aloud?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfunnybunch Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 It's Spongebob's 10th "birthday" today, and some bookstores are holding celebrations. Cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radish4ever Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 Ick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PiCO Posted July 19, 2009 Author Share Posted July 19, 2009 It's Spongebob's 10th "birthday" today, and some bookstores are holding celebrations. Cat Well, good to know there's at least a reason. I guess. But SpongBob is a cartoon character, not a literary one! It's not like he's Dr. Suess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon H in IL Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 Bleh. It seems as if ninety percent of the items in the local big-box children's dept are cartoon tie-ins. We're living in a golden age of children's literature, and most of what is on the shelves is trash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BikeBookBread Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 (edited) Gag -- that's pretty bad. I understand (but it still bothers me) The Polar Express at Christmas time, Horton Hears a Who when that movie came out, because as stated before, they are bonafide children's literature. But Sponge Bob? GOOD GRAVY!!!! On Thursday afternoon, I stood muttering to myself -- staring at a rack of coloring books -- at a chain bookstore (not THE chain, but a big one) trying to get a couple of good coloring books for the girls to take on a road trip. 95% of them were cartoon or movie tie-ins. The other ones were either $12 for super high-end quality, or awful... I ended up getting them each what they wanted, muttering to myself all the way to the cash register. :angry: Edited July 19, 2009 by BikeBookBread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristusG Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 I cannot stand Spongebob. Luckily, my girls have picked up on this and they dislike him too (they are 5 and 2). I dont mind some cartoonish books like Franklin, the Berenstein Bears, Dora, etc.....just not Spongebob! Ugh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen sn Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 I am so glad we do not have cable! I hate ignorant cartoons. At least Scooby Doo has a plot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumping In Puddles Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 (edited) Gag -- that's pretty bad. I understand (but it still bothers me) The Polar Express at Christmas time, Horton Hears a Who when that movie came out, because as stated before, they are bonafide children's literature. But Sponge Bob? GOOD GRAVY!!!! Why does The Polar Express bother you? Edited July 19, 2009 by Jumping In Puddles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
specialmama Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 That's very sad. Here's some food for your brains, kids, it's called FLUFF! Have a feast now! :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Rat Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 Isn't there room for a little junk now and then? I'm not talking about a steady stream but my kids enjoy SB sometimes. He's a good and loyal friend who would do anything to help anyone. He's annoying, that's true. But his heart is golden. He's not such a bad guy. Everything in moderation. Every diet deserves a little chocolate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BikeBookBread Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 Why does The Polar Express bother you? Not the Polar Express, per se, but the hype surrounding the movie release 4 or so years ago....it was everywhere. The book had been around forever, and it was like some great revelation, when it had been there all along. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathleen in VA Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 Isn't there room for a little junk now and then? I'm not talking about a steady stream but my kids enjoy SB sometimes. He's a good and loyal friend who would do anything to help anyone. He's annoying, that's true. But his heart is golden. He's not such a bad guy. Everything in moderation. Every diet deserves a little chocolate. :iagree:I am one of Spongebob's loyal fans.:D He is such a dear - very kind and always wanting to do the right thing. I can't take him in large doses, but I think he's adorable from time to time. Oh, and I do think the OP is right about it not being read-aloud fare. That's definitely annoying - 10th birthday or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aprilinparis Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 Chocolate is wonderful, and I agree that every diet ought to have a little :) But SpongeBob is just tacky. He may be a loyal friend, but his show is sophmoric. Do I really want my kids to enjoy a cartoon that takes place in Bikini Beach B*tt*m? They pick up enough junk without adding this in... And as to the read-a-louds at the bookstore - How sad! Of all the tremendous books available... Ok, sorry, just had to vent :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurad1125 Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 Isn't there room for a little junk now and then? I'm not talking about a steady stream but my kids enjoy SB sometimes. He's a good and loyal friend who would do anything to help anyone. He's annoying, that's true. But his heart is golden. He's not such a bad guy. Everything in moderation. Every diet deserves a little chocolate. :iagree: I resisted sponge bob for a long time. But my boys love him. Yes, he's junk entertainment. But sometimes I watch/read/play junk entertainment, too. We all need a break now and then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rita Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 :iagree: I resisted sponge bob for a long time. But my boys love him. Yes, he's junk entertainment. But sometimes I watch/read/play junk entertainment, too. We all need a break now and then. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snickerdoodle Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 But SpongBob is a cartoon character, not a literary one! It's not like he's Dr. Suess. :ack2: We had a couple Dr. Suess books. They mysteriously disappeared. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blessedfamily Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 I am so glad we do not have cable!I hate ignorant cartoons. At least Scooby Doo has a plot. Yeah, but it's the same plot every week. A ghost/creature trying to scare people away from some spot, the meddlesome kids chase it, pull the mask off, and it's the competitor who wants to own the spot. :tongue_smilie: But still...I'd rather watch that than Spongebob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E_Edgerton Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 I agree that Sponge Bob is not literature, but come on...bookstores want to sell books...bring people in, and make money. They have to bend to what is popular, apparently Sponge Bob is popular. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 Yeah, but it's the same plot every week. A ghost/creature trying to scare people away from some spot, the meddlesome kids chase it, pull the mask off, and it's the competitor who wants to own the spot. :tongue_smilie: But still...I'd rather watch that than Spongebob. Can't help it, love the original Scooby Do. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WishboneDawn Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 We love Spongebob is our house. Mostly in TV form though. He really doesn't translate well to the written word. BTW, the Atlantic Monthly had a most excellent article on the virtue of Spongebob last month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babysparkler Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 My in-laws had a similar experience last week... they took my boys to barnes & noble for storytime and after a few good classics, they pulled out a "farting" book!?!?! My in-laws (along with several other families) got up and walked out. I sure hope they got the message. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angela in ohio Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 Isn't there room for a little junk now and then? I'm not talking about a steady stream but my kids enjoy SB sometimes. He's a good and loyal friend who would do anything to help anyone. He's annoying, that's true. But his heart is golden. He's not such a bad guy. Everything in moderation. Every diet deserves a little chocolate. But so many kids only ever get junk. A bookstore reading time may be the only opportunity they ever get to be exposed to quality literature. They probably won't get it in school anymore, and the library is full of junk. Unless their parents know to seek it out, they may never know that books can go beyond junk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babysparkler Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 But so many kids only ever get junk. A bookstore reading time may be the only opportunity they ever get to be exposed to quality literature. They probably won't get it in school anymore, and the library is full of junk. Unless their parents know to seek it out, they may never know that books can go beyond junk. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammyla Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 Our Bookstore wants to make $$$. Spongbob is a cutie compared to to former celebrations of A Dog Named Fart. Apparently the title compels a number of patrons to toot and I just can't get passed the title. :001_huh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommy22alyns Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 I would love to know the supposed virtues of Spongebob... I never found any so we don't watch him. We choose our junk in other forms. ;) Still, I agree that bookstores and libraries should be places to discover the better forms of literature. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwimmyKids Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 My kids love SpongeBob. I don't mind it for a little bit. As they get older, they gradually like him less and less. In moderation, a little silly never hurt anyone (after all, I grew up on afternoon reruns of "Gilligan's Island" and "Get Smart." Silly can be silly knock-knock jokes or Mad Libs (for the sake of silly, not for the grammar benefits) or "Tom and Jerry" or "Hannah Montana." I don't think SpongeBob should horrify anyone, especially if the store was celebrating the cultural phenomenon's 10th birthday. Just don't choose to go to that bookstore's storytime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 My kids love SpongeBob, and I think the show is delightfully silly. We don't "do" character books, but I wouldn't have a problem with a bookstore reading one to celebrate his 10th birthday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsmom3tn Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 But so many kids only ever get junk. A bookstore reading time may be the only opportunity they ever get to be exposed to quality literature. They probably won't get it in school anymore, and the library is full of junk. Unless their parents know to seek it out, they may never know that books can go beyond junk. :iagree: I can understand reading it because it was the 10th anniversary/birthday, but I hope they read something good as well. Story-time at a bookstore or library is a perfect opportunity for kids to be introduced to the really good stuff on the shelves. With that said, my kids like to watch Spongebob, and I have even seen a few episodes that I liked (like the one where he ends up on a bus to "Rock Bottom"... story of my life :D). I am glad, though, that they don't choose to read the books. My girls like to watch Hannah Montana, but they won't touch the books. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 I cannot stand Spongebob. Luckily, my girls have picked up on this and they dislike him too (they are 5 and 2). I dont mind some cartoonish books like Franklin, the Berenstein Bears, Dora, etc.....just not Spongebob! Ugh! In all fairness, Franklin and the Berenstein Bears were popular children's books before they were TV shows. Yeah, but it's the same plot every week. A ghost/creature trying to scare people away from some spot, the meddlesome kids chase it, pull the mask off, and it's the competitor who wants to own the spot. :tongue_smilie: But still...I'd rather watch that than Spongebob. Young kids like the formulaic plot because they like the repetition. At the same time, the details change so it remains fun to guess "whodunit" in each episode. We don't read books based on TV shows, but we will do the reverse (watch TV based on books). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WishboneDawn Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 I would love to know the supposed virtues of Spongebob... I never found any so we don't watch him. Here's the article I mentioned - SpongeBob's Golden Dream A couple of excerpts: But where Ren and Stimpy seemed bent on freaking out the more fragile (or stoned) sectors of its audience, the SquarePants writers are interested in stories, even in lessons. Again and again, a kind of innocence triumphs—over fear, over snobbery, and over skepticism. Bikini Bottom is also an effortlessly postmodern place, a baby-blue void in which all manner of cultural bric-a-brac drifts and combines....Various masterpieces hang in the great Atlantean halls, and Squidward is thrilled to discover that he can enter them bodily; he climbs into Van Gogh’s crooked bed, and drapes his proboscis alongside the fondant clocks in DalÃ’s Persistence of Memory. “Ask your Mama or your Dada,†he sings, perched inside Marcel Duchamp’s famous urinal, “to tell you about the schism between Minimalism and Cubism.†But I've never found the innocence, charm or cultural critiques in the Spongebob books, only in the TV show. I enjoy watching it with the kids although what I get out of it tends to be different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SherrieSisk Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 Wow. I feel like a bad h/s'r now! We love SpongeBob. You know ... for fun. I think the show's one of the funniest things on TV -- DD and I can both appreciate the humor at different levels. There's almost always a moral although it's never produced by dropping anvils on the audience's collective head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nestof3 Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 Isn't there room for a little junk now and then? I'm not talking about a steady stream but my kids enjoy SB sometimes. He's a good and loyal friend who would do anything to help anyone. He's annoying, that's true. But his heart is golden. He's not such a bad guy. Everything in moderation. Every diet deserves a little chocolate. I guess for me, I would want to inspire the children to become interested in literature they may not have already heard about on television. I would want to excite them about authors and books they may have never encountered. Oh, and I think Franklin books are sweet. He has a great relationship with his parents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtroad Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 While I was waiting for older dd to finish her diving practice, I went to a nearby bookstore. There was an emplyee in the children's section reading a story aloud to a large group of children. So many great book out there, and she was reading... (wait for it...) Sponge Bob Square Pants! AAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!!! (I have no problem with Sponge Bob as a cartoon, for adults anyway... but really? Do you have to choose that as your read aloud?) We just get dumb, dumb, and dumber! Anniversary or not... read something about the sea or a real sea sponge.:lol: So sad. Just make quick bucks & kids can read garbage...as long as they pay $6.99. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon H in IL Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 I don't suppose the employee who chose the SpongeBob book was really thinking about much other than that it was popular. He or she didn't have a philosophy of children's education or literature. But I do. And I see people like this as having a responsibility to children to *think* about more than popular, more than how to make a buck. Maybe that's what the businessmen in charge of the bookstore are thinking of. But it's wrong. Wrong to push cr*p instead of good books when you have the chance. Our culture will push the cr*p enough without extra help from story-time readers. It just makes me want to climb atop my soapbox and hold forth about the need for beautiful words and images to feed small souls and minds. Or maybe I'll stay in my little WTM corner of the world where I'm preaching to the choir. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tex-mex Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 (edited) Yeah, but it's the same plot every week. A ghost/creature trying to scare people away from some spot, the meddlesome kids chase it, pull the mask off, and it's the competitor who wants to own the spot. :tongue_smilie: But still...I'd rather watch that than Spongebob. HAAAAAA... good point... but honey I love the SB! Have you seen how many times they weave in topics and humor that appeals to both kids and adults? Mermaidman and Barnacle Boy, for example. Great parody of the old Batman TV series. Subtle but silly humor. BTW, to the OP... anyone knows that back in the day... the small mom and pop bookstores cultivated literature and great titles. They were then bought out by big chain stores like Borders and Barnes & Noble who look for the bottom line... $$$. Personally, this is a silly argument to quibble over a megastore hawking a title driven by $$$. Hell-ooo? That's why I don't go to the megachain bookstores. (But that is a totally different argument. LOL) Edited July 20, 2009 by tex-mex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joy at Home Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 I watched Spongebob for the first time this week, and I'm embarassed to say I thought it was HYSTERICAL. Everything in moderation . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PiCO Posted July 20, 2009 Author Share Posted July 20, 2009 I don't suppose the employee who chose the SpongeBob book was really thinking about much other than that it was popular. He or she didn't have a philosophy of children's education or literature. But I do. And I see people like this as having a responsibility to children to *think* about more than popular, more than how to make a buck. Maybe that's what the businessmen in charge of the bookstore are thinking of. But it's wrong. Wrong to push cr*p instead of good books when you have the chance. Our culture will push the cr*p enough without extra help from story-time readers. I seriously doubt that the person reading the book picked it out herself. I have a friend who works at a big box bookstore, and pretty much everything the employees do is programmed ahead of time. Last time I talked to her, the corporate office was trying to prove to book wholesalers that they could get a mediocre book on the bestseller list by having their employees push the book to every single customer that comes in the door. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vida Winter Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 I am appalled at many things, but what is a read-aloud at a bookstore is not one of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PiCO Posted July 20, 2009 Author Share Posted July 20, 2009 I am appalled at many things, but what is a read-aloud at a bookstore is not one of them. Oh, I'm sure they could read aloud something that would appall you. ;) In the mean time I will count myself lucky that my life is so tame that I'm appalled by a read-aloud. (Really. I'm not being sarcastic here. Thanks for putting things in perspective.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaik76 Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 I am so glad we do not have cable!I hate ignorant cartoons. At least Scooby Doo has a plot. We like SpongeBob here...my son has learned about strikes and picketing from SpongeBob and several other good things. SpongeBob is a commentary...it does have good stuff in it if you sit there and watch (and is one of the only cartoons I can stand to watch with my kids). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaik76 Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 I don't suppose the employee who chose the SpongeBob book was really thinking about much other than that it was popular. He or she didn't have a philosophy of children's education or literature. But I do. And I see people like this as having a responsibility to children to *think* about more than popular, more than how to make a buck. Maybe that's what the businessmen in charge of the bookstore are thinking of. But it's wrong. Wrong to push cr*p instead of good books when you have the chance. Our culture will push the cr*p enough without extra help from story-time readers. It just makes me want to climb atop my soapbox and hold forth about the need for beautiful words and images to feed small souls and minds. Or maybe I'll stay in my little WTM corner of the world where I'm preaching to the choir. I was an English major in college. We own thousands of books...and we love SpongeBob. I have no problem with someone reading it to children in a library or a bookstore...however I don't really have a problem with what some here like to call "twaddle" in general. Great literature is great...but so is the other fun stuff out there. My responsibility to children includes introducing them to these types of books too. I see merit in them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaik76 Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 Oh, and I think Franklin books are sweet. He has a great relationship with his parents. Franklin and Little Bear were just two characters we could never get into around here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nestof3 Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 Franklin and Little Bear were just two characters we could never get into around here! I never enjoyed reading Little Bear books, but my boys liked them. I also never enjoyed reading Winnie the Pooh, but the boys loved them. We all love Franklin, though. I've actually cried in one of them. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2cents Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 I was an English major in college. We own thousands of books...and we love SpongeBob. I have no problem with someone reading it to children in a library or a bookstore...however I don't really have a problem with what some here like to call "twaddle" in general. Great literature is great...but so is the other fun stuff out there. My responsibility to children includes introducing them to these types of books too. I see merit in them. :iagree: If all that children are exposed to is censored or classic and pristine then what will they have as a comparison model? I have no problems with mine reading Spongebob or other fun material. It has never been done to the exclusion of great reading material. We are equal opportunity readers! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie12345 Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 I don't suppose the employee who chose the SpongeBob book was really thinking about much other than that it was popular. He or she didn't have a philosophy of children's education or literature. But I do. And I see people like this as having a responsibility to children to *think* about more than popular, more than how to make a buck. Maybe that's what the businessmen in charge of the bookstore are thinking of. But it's wrong. Wrong to push cr*p instead of good books when you have the chance. Our culture will push the cr*p enough without extra help from story-time readers. It just makes me want to climb atop my soapbox and hold forth about the need for beautiful words and images to feed small souls and minds. Or maybe I'll stay in my little WTM corner of the world where I'm preaching to the choir. I really don't see the big deal (in my house). My kids have been perfectly able to enjoy the Narnia books, Little House books, poetry books, classic fairy tales, and anything else I present to them while also reading and watching Spongebob. And just about every other Nickelodeon creation. Though they do prefer non-fiction. But hey, I read Don Quixote and Danielle Steel simultaneously. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5Youngs Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 Can't stand it. We don't have cable either, as there is never anything on worth watching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KristenS Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 Someone made the comment that there's a lot of subtlety in the cartoon ... does ANY of that come across in the books? I will admit, I've only seen snippets of the cartoon, and the characters were acting rudely, so we haven't watched it. And I won't let Grandma buy the books for the kids. (They can be quite rude enough on their own!) :) But now, I'm kind of curious about the cartoon. And I totally agree that often what is good in a cartoon or show can be TOTALLY lost in the book spin-offs. Maybe that's the problem here? Not that Spongebob is silly or whatever, but that there wasn't really much of anything redeeming in the chosen picture book? Just wondering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ereks mom Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 However, they are teenagers, and they "get" the strange humor. As for me, I just like Patrick. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie12345 Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 As for me, I just like Patrick. ;) I'm partial to Gary. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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