Dealing With Touchy Issues in a Children's Book

[KelseyF]

I am writing a current WIP as a way for younger generations to become more aware of Africa through reading. The actual subject of my children's book is something every child can relate to, however, I want to include a character with AIDS. Though it is never said flat out that this character has AIDS, the way it is written now, it will be obvious to parents who may read the book to their kids and for those who choose to share this fact and explanation with their kids (which I hope).

Are there certain ground rules everyone seems to know about how to deal with this kind of thing? Is it something to stay away from because they're tough sells? Have you had to handle something like this before? Any other advice. I guess it's kind of like "Why does Timmy have two Mommies?", though I wouldn't know how to go about writing and selling that either.

Thanks for anything you can tell me.

Kelsey

[Tish Davidson]

What age group are you writing for? That is critical in the way the topic can be handled. Another way to approach this if having an ill character is too strong for the age group might be to have one child (or several) who have orphaned by their parents' illness, since this is a huge side effect of the AIDS epidemic in Africa. It introduces the problem without dwelling on the symptoms.

[KelseyF]

I figure this book can be read by anyone from around 5 or 6 to 11 or 12, though I hope parents will read it as well.

I don't dwell on the symptoms is such a way that the person with the disease is described, it's just....known. The book itself is about a Thanksgiving-like holiday, and through the eyes of the main character (a little girl), we know that this person is sick, and that he isn't there the next year.

Thanks for your comment, Tish, means a lot.

[Storyteller5]

Something to consider....

Age 5 or 6 to 11 or 12 is a pretty tough range for one book, I think. At 5 or 6, kids are reading storybooks with pictures while at 11 or 12, most kids feel they are too old for picture books and have moved on to chapter books. :)

[Tish Davidson]

Agreed. You're crossing too many age divisions by trying to go from preschool to junior high. The vocabulary and sentence length for this age span is just too different. Its going to be a tough sell.

[KelseyF]

Then I don't know. As I've been writing it, I keep thinking of Polar Express, though the two are nothing alike. I remember reading Polar Express when I was really young (well, having it read to me), though I own a copy and still pick it up every once in awhile. I guess I picture my book as one that is mainly for children, but has elements for any age. Though I have no idea how control I may have over it, I want beautiful illustrations that really capture the culture I am writing about. I have no idea about picking age groups...is 7-10 too wide a gap? The sentence structure and word use is appropriate for a beginning reader, though it does gently represent serious issues. If it helps, American children can relate to this because it has similar themes to that of Thanksgiving and what we are thankful for.

The whole purpose of this book is to expose children to Africa without shoving anything down their throat. I've rewritten (adding to, changing tone, etc) about three or four times, and I'm willing to do more. It's something I care deeply about and I want it to be perfect.

Thanks for those who have responded. I am still looking for suggestions on the original question, though not that this age issue has been brought up, I would like to hear anything anyone has to add.

K~

[Torgo]

I've worked with an author who is regularly banned and has their books burned in the USA for writing about touchy subjects. In the UK, there are no problems at all. I'd say, research your market very carefully and see if there are similar books.

The touchier the subject matter in a picture book, the more of a masterpiece it needs to be. You're going to find selling a book much easier if it is a colourful, sweet or funny story with no big edifying themes; and even if you do write a masterpiece about a painful or difficult subject, it probably won't sell as much as something less serious. It sounds like your book is going to sell mainly in institutional markets, so you'll have to be very, very sharp about the educational requirements of the book - particularly vocabulary.

I agree with the posters above who suggest that a book is unlikely to have such a wide appeal in terms of age range. You will find that most children's picture books tend to sell to very narrow age ranges and are very rarely read by older children. Some more gifty picture books do try for the older readership - I remember The Saga of Erik the Viking when I were a lad - but they're really large-format illustrated fiction and don't cross over down to the little ones. Again, if you're selling to schools etc, your language level might well cause you to fall between two stools.

[DaveKuzminski]

That might be a good blog topic, Torgo.

[Torgo]

If only I had the time right now. Sigh. Actually, what am I doing here?