Choosing Books Wisely - 1916

CHOOSING BOOKS WISELY
Excerpts from Roy J. Cook's collection of 101 Famous Poems(Not included in the reprint)

"Read your children's books yourself. Or better still, get your boy or girl to read them aloud to you. Ask yourself during the reading:
'Does this book lay stress on villainy, deception or treachery?'
'Are all the incidents wholesome, probable and true to life?'
'Does it show young people contemptuous toward their elders and successfully opposing them?'
'Do the young characters in the book show respect for teachers and others in authority?'
'Are these characters the kind of young people you would have your children to associate with?'
'Does the book speak of and describe pranks, practical jokes and pieces of thoughtless and cruel mischief as though they were funny and worthy of imitation?'
'Is the English good and is the story written in good style?'