What Should You Let Your Kids Read?

Samuel Osgood, reflecting on post-Civil War education, questioned how best to nurture children's bodies, minds, and imaginations through schools and books during a time of limited access to children's literature. Influenced by its rise and criticism of simplistic moral stories, he explored what should be taught to future Americans. A century later, authors like R.L. Stine advocate for content beyond rules in children's books, while educators face criticism for prioritizing analytical reading over engaging storytelling, potentially deterring children from developing a love for literature as they grow older.