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Has anyone else been asked this question about Linnea in Monet's Garden?

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JKGIBB1_at_TeacherArtExchange
Date: Thu Apr 24 2003 - 17:08:01 PDT

Hello, all--

For several years, I have read Linnea in Monet's Garden to my seventh
graders. This year, I have had a few students question a little girl going
off to Paris alone with an elderly man. They ask where Linnea's parents are
and why they would allow this. (I try to explain it is only a STORY!) One
student even asked, "What if he (Mr. Bloom) is a pedophile?" (My students
are very serious about this--they just don't think the idea of a little girl
traveling with an old man is "right".)

What has happened to innocence? I guess it is a sad commentary on society
that kids have to know about pedophiles. I wonder if any of you have had
students ask about Linnea traveling with the neighbor in this book and how
you respond.

Thank you.

Irene 

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