'Age Banding' of children's books

I noticed yesterday that the Times ran an article in the 'Books' section called 'Many paths to the same end'. Alan Gardner postulates that' The imposition of such bands ignores how we laern to read.'

As a teacher who came through flash cards in tobacco tins, ITA, any number of reading schemes from 'Janet and John' past Ladybird, through 'Letterland' and beyond to 'Real books'. And I watched the cycle repeat with more modern books and more modern schemes.

Gardner comments on books that should just be read, not as books for children but just 'books' and he adds that 'To ghettoise books is to insult text and reader.'

This all leads to 'The Children's Writers and Illustrators Group Conference at Robinson College, Cambridge' where, on August 31st there will be a session to discus 'age banding'.

Watch this space for their view and consider whether or not it will change yours.

PS

This might help to explain it all...