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Title: Surprisingly, not a good influence for children
Review: I bought a used copy of Percy, Polly, and Pete because it was one of the only story books I remembered from my early childhood in the 50's. Partly, I expected it to awaken nostalgic memories; but the main reason was, I'd had a sort of vague "flashback" involving the book that was very emotionally painful.I now think I know why. The little girl in the book, a two-year old, tries to give the three eponymous kittens a bath. Her parents intervene -- unskillfully, in my opinion! -- causing the girl to throw a tantrum, which the book fully blames on her. In my experience, young children (and animals) are extremely willing and happy to be cooperative; it's the rude ways their parents or owners say NO! that makes them react "badly."The story finished by saying how everything turned out ok because she turned three and became a "nice girl."Yuck.
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