Mischief is a very common feature of children’s books. But is reading about mischief good for kids? In this article I will discuss the developmental value (or disvalue) of mischief in children’s books, as one of several criteria for choosing books for children. I will try to distinguish benign mischief from pernicious mischief, and to give adults some guidance on choosing or avoiding books that feature mischief.
This article is an installment in my continuing series on criteria for choosing books for children. For the last article in this series, “Character Development in Children: Books with Exemplary Characters”, click here. To read the series from the beginning, click here for “How to Choose Children’s Books.”
Criteria for Choosing Books for Children: Mischief
So, what do I mean by “mischief” in children’s books? By “mischief” I mean intentional behavior by the characters in the book that strays, to some extent, from what is appropriate or good. The function of mischief in children’s books is generally to elicit laughs. Some examples will help clarify what I mean. Continue reading