Books: For Children

One out of every nine books published in the U.S. is a children's book. The bulk of this output does not occupy the classic realm of the imagination but a huge waste-of-time land. There are usually stories about neurasthenic little animals that want to secede from the animal kingdom. There are tales about plug-ugly ducklings (human) who can't seem to acquire a friend until the sentimental fadeout page. For pre-teentimers there are soap operettas about girls "who never quite know how to talk to boys." The boys are usually busy talking to a pet...