Child Abuse, Neglect and Picture Books - Part I

Although nearly a decade has passed since I completed this paper, little has changed on this subject. I continue to believe this is an important issue that needs more attention.

Abused and neglected children deserve to see themselves portrayed as positive characters in picture books.

Several more picture books have been published addressing sensitive issues including child abuse and neglect since I completed this paper, but nowhere near enough to satisfy the still growing need.

Literature for older age groups now includes many more books with well written believable stories, in which children who are abused and neglected are portrayed as believable children surviving and succeeding in spite of living in believable but terrible situations. The best of these books entertain, as all quality literature does. They aren't the didactic books of earlier times.

Many of the stories have believable endings, unlike so many of the earlier fairy tale, happily-ever-after endings. They reflect the reality of millions of children who continue to hope, but know there are no simple solutions in a world that continues to talk about the importance of all children, but act as if these children do not exist.

I expect that may change soon as child abuse has become the cause de'jure globaly for everything from Hedge Funds fund-raising galas, to Get-Rich-Quick Pyramid-Scheme company conventions. More books and articles are written, more products and services become available, even in the Blog world child abuse serves as an increasing focus. Child abuse is no longer a hidden epidemic.

More and more organizations related in some way to research, prevention, treatment, public policy, and so forth dedicate ever increasing funds to making a difference for abused and neglected children. Unfortunately, ever more organizations dependent on some form of government funding to continue effective programs for abused and neglected children struggle to offer those services in the face of ever decreasing funding.

Change is in the air... I hope that change includes a new look at child abuse and neglect related issues and subjects, including those I address in this paper. More importantly, I hope that change includes more actions that benefit the millions of children who continue to suffer every day that passes.

I offer this work here as an additional word to the ever-opening dialogue that I consider more important than most others.

A Child is Waiting.
Take Care...Be Aware.
Nancy