[libbylu]

My son borrows books from the school library during his weekly library session, taken by the specialist library teacher.
This week he brought home a book a about pirates. It's an excellent book, obviously geared to older kids, but with lots for a littlie to enjoy too. There are a couple of illustrations in it that are a bit disturbing. One is of the severed and rotting head of blackbeard hanging off a bowsprit. The other is of another pirate who has been hanged at the gallows, his rotting body with bits of skeleton showing encased in a metal frame thing (giblet) hanging off the gallows.

Now half of me thinks my 5 year old should not glamorise pirates too much and should understand that there were nasty people around and it was a nasty business, but on the other hand I don't know if I really want images like these burned on his sensitive little brain. They are illustrations of course, not photos, but they are quite realistic, not at all cartoon like.

Do you think I should say something to the library teacher?

[Niamh23]

Was the library teacher the one who recommended the book?

To be honest, I can remember seeing similar "gross" illustrations at about the same age, and it had no effect on me.

[libbylu]

No, I imagine he picked it himself, and she probably wouldn't have remembered or known about the gory images. I do remember as a child though we weren't allowed to borrow books that were for the 'senior' primary kids due to content, i.e. some more teenage oriented books, and I just wondered whether it was reasonable to expect a bit of sensorship.
Last week he brought home a book about the first fleet that I would have said was really about year 7/8 level. I couldn't even read it to him because the language was far too advanced for him to understand, so it seems she just let's them pick what they fancy without much guidance.

[~maryanne~]

I'd let it go. You could always ask him yourself to borrow from a particular section.

My son has bought home books way too advanced and quickly got bored when I have read them to him. He will quickly learn to choose from the younger child's section, I am sure. Or ask for books by authors he knows he enjoys.

[FrogIsAFrogIsAFr...]

No, I'd probably let it go too.

I do remember my son when in reception (just turned 5), being shown detailed images of Jesus being crucified on the cross at the special Easter service at school - I remember the whole front row of receptions recoiling in horror/ fascination as Father X showed them all the graphic depiction. It turns out I was more scarred than they were, lol!

[beansidhe]

not when you have stated it is obviously geared for older children and you are the one who let him borrow it.

[~*Twilight~Zone*...]

not when you have stated it is obviously geared for older children and you are the one who let him borrow it.

How can you say she is the one who let him borrow it? It was from the school library taken out during a library period whilst at school.

OP unless he was upset by it I probably wouldn't worry.

[Rachaelxxx]

If your child wasn't upset by it, I would let it go.

[CallMeProtart]

If he wasn't upset by it, and she didn't pick it for him, I'd let it go.

[flushthetoilet]

No.