Talk With Your Kids

August 19, 2013
Parker (author of Doppelganger, a novel), a philosopher, educator, and deputy headmaster of Senior School at Cranbrook School in Australia, believes that while schools focus on academic achievement, not enough emphasis is placed on ethical development. As he asks parents, “Your child may be smart, but is he or she good?” Ethics and values, he asserts, should be discussed regularly. Parker encourages parents to become part of a venerable tradition and take an “Enlightened” approach (as opposed to “Authoritarian” or “Permissive”) that encourages discussion. To aid parents and kids (ages 10–15) on this path, Parker presents more than 100 topics—including lying, animal rights, alcohol use, ethical treatment during war, and bullying—to spark debate and independent thinking. He also weaves in the philosophies of some of the world’s greatest thinkers, including Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau. Readers are encouraged to use the book as they see fit, picking and choosing topics; upsetting topics come with an “M” rating, as in the discussions of torture or killing animals for food. Parents who are struggling with “ethically challenged” offspring or who want to drum up lively ethical discussions will find this to be a creative and useful handbook. More than 100 b&w illus.

Starred review from November 15, 2013

In this surprisingly funny book, novelist and educator Parker (deputy headmaster, Cranbook Sch., Sydney; Doppelganger) provides parents with a neat tool for introducing conversations involving moral and ethical concepts. Aimed at children ages ten to 15, 109 brief numbered scenarios in three categories are presented and address topics such as lying, stealing, drugs, money, and more. Never pedantic or out of touch, the author has a singularly humorous way of making the topics not only relevant but also slightly dangerous and exciting. Some entries give a familiar concept a modern twist (Robin Hood stealing from the rich to give to the poor becomes redistributing a jerky millionaire's wealth), and some are rooted in daily life ("Your sister's rabbit dies when she is away. Should you replace it with an identical bunny?"). VERDICT If parents can heed the author's advice ("If you...are speaking more than your children, you are speaking too much"), the practicality and relevance of the topics will have kids debating in no time. For younger children, go with Ian James Corlett's E Is for Ethics, but for those with older kids, this title is a must-have.

Copyright 2013 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.