I’ve signed up, and I like the idea of having an EA-inspired storybook for my daughter.
This would be more exciting if there were evidence that the values underlying the storybooks that children read influence their attitudes in adulthood. My prior, based on the fact that I remember nothing of the books I read with my parents as a toddler, is that it has minimal impact. I’d also be surprised if evidence of high enough quality existed (i.e. evidence which successfully disentangled the fact that parents who want to read their children books which promote certain values also probably have those values and promote those values in other ways).
Having said that, it didn’t stop me from signing up, so I hope you produce lovely books!
Thanks Sanjay, similarly this was sparked by wanting an a EA storybook for our kid as well.
There are some wonderful kindness and empathy books (eg- “We are all kind” by P. Crumble and Jonathan Bentley) but would be great to have some more aligned with EA principles and ideas.
As for evidence, agreed.
I aim to do a more deep dive during the book creation process, but the initial skim of the literature seems encouraging, with some research showing potential transfer effects of morals/cultural attitudes to kids through storybooks, particularly at younger ages.
That said, I’ll share a more structured post once I’ve gone into the primary sources, before the ebook launch.
If such evidence is strong, agree that makes the project more impactful (and vice versa) - that is, beyond simply satisfying the desire for such a book from fellow EA parents
Appreciate you joining, and looking forward to the feedback...
Stories are powerful things. I know it is just anecdotal, but I would wager The Lorax and possibly other books (The Giving Tree comes to mind in this moment) boosted my interest in environmental protection. Though it may be I was already tending in that direction as a child and they just fit my sensibilities. I mean, I was also reading Konrad Lorenz pretty young...
Agreed stories are powerful, and the sentimental value can also remain strong over years.
If someone is thinking what book to give to a niece, or friend’s kid, or their own kid in the future, they might think of those classics like The Giving Tree they resonated with years back…
(I’m imagining all those millions of young parents starting to read Harry Potter to their own kids now...)
I’ve signed up, and I like the idea of having an EA-inspired storybook for my daughter.
This would be more exciting if there were evidence that the values underlying the storybooks that children read influence their attitudes in adulthood. My prior, based on the fact that I remember nothing of the books I read with my parents as a toddler, is that it has minimal impact. I’d also be surprised if evidence of high enough quality existed (i.e. evidence which successfully disentangled the fact that parents who want to read their children books which promote certain values also probably have those values and promote those values in other ways).
Having said that, it didn’t stop me from signing up, so I hope you produce lovely books!
Thanks Sanjay, similarly this was sparked by wanting an a EA storybook for our kid as well.
There are some wonderful kindness and empathy books (eg- “We are all kind” by P. Crumble and Jonathan Bentley) but would be great to have some more aligned with EA principles and ideas.
As for evidence, agreed.
I aim to do a more deep dive during the book creation process, but the initial skim of the literature seems encouraging, with some research showing potential transfer effects of morals/cultural attitudes to kids through storybooks, particularly at younger ages.
A nice summary article is here: https://theconversation.com/why-stories-matter-for-childrens-learning-52135
That said, I’ll share a more structured post once I’ve gone into the primary sources, before the ebook launch.
If such evidence is strong, agree that makes the project more impactful (and vice versa) - that is, beyond simply satisfying the desire for such a book from fellow EA parents
Appreciate you joining, and looking forward to the feedback...
Stories are powerful things. I know it is just anecdotal, but I would wager The Lorax and possibly other books (The Giving Tree comes to mind in this moment) boosted my interest in environmental protection. Though it may be I was already tending in that direction as a child and they just fit my sensibilities. I mean, I was also reading Konrad Lorenz pretty young...
Agreed stories are powerful, and the sentimental value can also remain strong over years.
If someone is thinking what book to give to a niece, or friend’s kid, or their own kid in the future, they might think of those classics like The Giving Tree they resonated with years back…
(I’m imagining all those millions of young parents starting to read Harry Potter to their own kids now...)