I’m sure I’m not the only parent who has noticed that there are a quite a few books written for children, the blurb for which say how children love them because they recognise the feelings and experiences themselves, that are actually cautionary tales for parents?  Consider the evidence:

1. Not Now Bernard - For those who don’t know it:  Bernard tries to gain his parents’ attention repeatedly, only to be told “not now, Bernard”.  He tells them of the monster in the garden who intends to eat him.  They respond with ‘not now, Bernard’.  He goes into the garden and gets eaten by the monster.  The monster goes into the house and roars at the mother and bites the father - “not now, Bernard”, they respond.  They don’t notice that they’re talking to a monster, not even when he goes to bed saying sadly “but I’m a monster!”.  The mother simply responds by turning off the light and saying “not now, Bernard!”. 

Yes, children love it.  But is it *really* meant for them?  Isn’t really meant to tell parents to please be careful that they ignore their children?  I know I certainly notice the story popping into my mind whenever I say “not now” to the girls and I stop myself and make myself give them my full attention (not just because they’re actually monsters who have eaten my children!)

2. Angry Arthur - Arthur has a meltdown after being told he can’t watch tv.  His anger is so powerful that it tears his room; his house; his town; the world and the universe apart but while he’s sitting on his bed afterwards, he can’t remember why he got so angry.

Again, children love it.  But surely it’s really telling parents what it’s like for a child having a meltdown?  Surely it’s telling parents how frightening it is for a child to lose control of his anger and how, within seconds, the meltdown has lost its original meaning? 

Does anyone know of any other childcare manuals carefully disguised as children’s books?