@Petunia64 posted a new topic, subject "OT: I have a question for parents". It read:

   Are the Dick and Jane books still used in schools to teach children how to read? As you all may know, I don't have children. I am scouting Christmas gifts for a 3 year old. I remember these books, and I have found a set. Before I buy them, I need y'all to let me know if they are still used. I appreciate your help.

So @Diva4adayredux replied

    What a unique idea!!
    
    I remember those books from my childhood! I would be very surprised if they still use those books as they were. I could see them being reprinted using children instead of Dick & Jane, maybe Roberto & Guadelupe or some other ethnicity, so as to be politically correct, as the premise is universal and children love them. Maybe on Amazon or Ebay?

After which, @Petunia64 added

    I found them on The Vermont Country Store's website. I bought him a spinning top (I guess they might be called something else) it had a train inside. I bought a Raggedy Andy doll for a little girl. I have read a lot of good reviews for these books. I might just buy them for myself, I credit them for giving me my love of books. I might buy the set of Peter Rabbit books for him. I sent a Peter Rabbit book to him for Easter, and was told that he really loves that book. I guess Peter might have been hiding Easter eggs.

So @beenaroundalongtime replied

    A few yrs ago I purchased these books for my grands. I don't think that they are still in use. But they are great beginners. I purchased mine from this company called LTD Commodities

So @taramartin replied

    Not used in any schools I know of but still entertaining for early readers.

Then @Alice3477 said

    Whether they are used in schools or not, I would definitely buy them! They are just the greatest, they bring back such wonderful memories for those of us who used them, and they should be used in schools today, politically correct or not. They are sweet books and what a great gift! Great idea, Petunia!

@rainhue replied

    I would get them even if they aren't used in school. It wouldn't hurt anything, I don't think. Sounds like a great idea to me but maybe you can check with the parents?

@Chillami replied

    That's a really fun idea. I'm going to find some of those on eBay. Two things my grandsons love (twin 4 year olds) are Picasso magnets and BATTAT take-apart toys. On the magnets, I bought the big set and just gradually give them more as they learn to build more. We've had both of these toys since they were around two and they are still played with regularly :-). Not that you asked.

After which, @Petunia64 added

    I am a snob when it comes to my books. I want them new, in pristine condition. I no longer loan my books to people because they don't take care of them. When I am asked, I give them a list of things they must do, no peanut butter, no tea, soda or coffee, clean hands. Needless to say it works, and they change their minds about borrowing my books. I say well, bless your heart, maybe the library has it, you might have to put your name on a list. Part of this is because my mother wanted to re read a book by Jill Ireland, she talked about her breast cancer. My mother was going through that too. She could not read the book, she kept sneezing and her eyes water. She kept saying, “I am going to sneeze myself to death.” We could not tell if someone had used sun tan lotion, bug spray, or what. The book was in terrible condition. I had gotten from the library, and they had to dispose of the book because of the odor. Before y'all think I am terrible for doing this, two years ago, I gave away a dozen books, to my cousin for her mother in law. I have offered to loan books to another family member, who informed me that she only read the Bible. Then bless her heart, she sent me a letter telling me that according to someone, the Bible was the only book people should read. I thought, well I guess I will be going to heck when I die.

To which @Diva4adayredux replied

    No good deed goes unpunished, they say.

To which @Petunia64 replied

    I didn't have the heart to tell her that I had read the Bible. I think it makes her feel good to be critical of me in some way. I just let it go. I will not discuss religion or politics with her.

So @beenaroundalongtime replied

    LTD Commodities had a puzzles map of the United States. My grand kids learned the states with this puzzle map (keep in mind they are now in their 20's)

@Petunia64 replied

    I checked their website, but did not find the books. I might have over looked them. The child is only 3. He and his parents are friends of my uncle who lives in Atlanta.

After which, @beenaroundalongtime added

    Petunia I also checked and didn't find them. Try Amazon

@Petunia64 replied

    Thanks. Yesterday I ordered a set of 10 Peter Rabbit books, and a book about Uncle Wiggly from Amazon. I can't for the life of me remember about Uncle Wiggly. He is a gentleman rabbit. I will get the Dick and Jane books from The Vermont Country Store. With the mail slow down, I thought I better order early. I will let them ship the books to my uncle, who can ship them to California where they boy lives now. The little boy has to facetime with my uncle, who he calls Uncle.

So @Gizkok64 replied

    Peter Rabbit books are the best! And the stuffed toys! You could go broke buying all those wonderful things but I bet you wouldn't be sorry.

After which, @Petunia64 added

    I don't know if a 3 year old boy would like a stuffed Peter Rabbit. I think I have him covered book wise. Today, I shipped them to my uncle who is a friend of the little boy and his family. I am thinking of buying a small kaleidoscope for him.


{'source': 'discourse', 'url': 'https://soaps.sheknows.com/message-boards/t/ot-i-have-a-question-for-parents/753099', 'title': 'OT: I have a question for parents', 'views': 852, 'has_accepted_answer': False, 'word_count': 1022, 'like_count': 15, 'reply_count': 7, 'participant_count': 8, 'posts': 17, 'tags': '', 'author': '@Petunia64', 'participants': '@Petunia64, @Diva4adayredux, @beenaroundalongtime, @taramartin, @Alice3477, @rainhue, @Chillami, @Gizkok64', 'image_url': [None], 'created_at': '2020-08-29T19:48:17.372Z', 'last_posted_at': '2020-09-04T21:59:51.843Z'}