Let Children Read Whatever They Want: Embracing New Ideas and Conversation in Books

Judy Blume encourages children to read whatever they want and have conversations about it with grown-ups. By embracing different ideas and discussing them

Let children read whatever they want and then talk about it with them. If parents and kids can talk together, we won’t have as much censorship because we won’t have as much fear.

Judy Blume


Judy Blume encourages children to read whatever they want and have conversations about it with grown-ups. By embracing different ideas and discussing them, we can reduce censorship and fear. Books open up new worlds and perspectives, and talking about them helps us understand and grow.



   

Meaning of Quote – Let children read whatever they want and then talk about it with them. If parents and kids can talk together, we won’t have as much censorship because we won’t have as much fear.

Hey there, book lovers! Today we’re going to chat about something super cool that Judy Blume said. You know Judy, right? She’s the author who’s written loads of books that are just perfect for when you’re growing up and trying to figure stuff out. So, Judy shared this thought with us: “Let children read whatever they want and then talk about it with them. If parents and kids can talk together, we won’t have as much censorship because we won’t have as much fear.”

Now, let’s think about what that really means. Imagine you walk into a giant library or your favorite bookstore. There are rows of books as far as the eye can see. Books about dragons, books about school, books full of jokes, and even books about kids who feel like they just don’t fit in.

Right off the bat, Judy’s telling us to grab any of those books that catch our eye. Maybe you’re into stories about outer space, or you’re curious about history, or you love solving mysteries before the detective does. Judy says, go for it! Pick the book that makes you excited to flip those pages!

Now, here comes the super special part. After you dive into your book and are swimming through the words and stories, you get to chat about what you’ve read. Maybe there’s a character in the book who reminds you of your best friend, or perhaps there’s a crazy adventure that makes you think, “Hey, wouldn’t it be awesome if I could do that?”

When you talk to someone, especially parents or other grown-ups who care about you, it’s like opening a treasure chest. You share what you think and feel about the story. Do you agree with what the characters did? What would you have done differently? And those grown-ups? They listen and share their thoughts, too. It’s like playing catch with ideas, back and forth, until you both understand each other even better.

But why does this matter so much? Judy’s getting at something big here with the whole “less censorship and less fear” thing. Sometimes, grown-ups get a bit scared about what kids are reading. They might worry that a book has ideas that are too big, too scary, or just too different. And because they’re a bit afraid, they might say, “Nope, you can’t read this one.”

This is what we call “censorship.” It’s like someone putting up a big stop sign in front of a book. But if kids and grown-ups talk about those books, something amazing happens. Instead of being afraid, they understand. They see that different ideas aren’t so scary after all. And when we’re not scared, we don’t feel the need to put up that big stop sign.

   

Books are like keys to new worlds, unlocking doors to adventures and lessons we never knew we needed. Every time you read a book, you get to live a life that’s not like your own. You get to walk in somebody else’s shoes. And let me tell you, that’s a superpower in its own right.

But this superpower only works if we keep those conversations going. Like, have you ever read a book that made you sad or mad, and you just had to talk to someone about it? That’s the perfect time to chat with a grown-up. They might not have all the answers, but together, you can explore all those tricky feelings.

And guess what else happens when you talk about books? You get smarter! That’s right. Sharing your thoughts and listening to others makes you better at understanding what you read. It’s like exercising—you keep getting stronger and better at it.

Now, just think about the other things talking about books can do. It can bring people together. Maybe your mom or dad has never read about flying brooms or a school of magic. When you share that with them, it’s like giving them a ticket to join you in that magical place. And who knows, they might share a story from when they were kids—a book with hidden treasure maps and daring sea adventures.

The more you share, the more you find out that stories can build bridges between people, even when they’re really different. It’s like finding out that you and your grandpa both love space adventures or that your teacher is also a big fan of stories about enchanted forests.

Books can touch on stuff that’s happening in real life, too. Judy Blume’s own books have helped tons of kids through tough times. Whether it’s feeling weird about growing up or dealing with bullies, books let us see we’re not alone. And that can turn a bad day into a way better one.

So, the next time you pick up a book that seems a little out there, remember what Judy Blume said. Give it a read, and find a grown-up to talk to about it. They might learn something from you, and you’ll definitely learn something from them.

In the end, books are kind of like a great conversation—they can make us laugh, think, and sometimes even change our minds. And the more we chat about what we read, the more we see that we don’t need to be afraid of new ideas. Instead, we can embrace them, talk about them and discover just how amazing this world of books really is. Happy reading, and even happier chatting about all those fantastic stories!

   

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