Children's Book Show
Sir: The publicity your journal (1 November) to the Children's Book Sh proved to be misleading.
As a parent, and a drama teacher. I tempted by such phrases as 'a very full pro- gramme of "extra" activities' and 'several interesting displays'. These turned out to be dull and unimaginative, offering little infor- mation.
Having been warned that there would be little opportunity of seeing the per- formance by the Dogg's Troupe unless we rushed to the Assembly Hall at once, we duly rushed, and waited three quarters of an hour. The entertainment was so tatty and dreary that we left after ten minutes.
Numerous schools had sent large parties of rather young children who appeared to be quite bewildered by the situation and, unable to get near any books, resorted to eating their packed lunches, rolling on the floor, or—as in the case of one small boy— pummelling down the display advertising the newspaper Play (which is devoted to 'Young People and the Creative Arts').
Of course there were far too many people there. The Central Hall resembled a foot- ball match and the Book Show was not con- ducive to browsing and discovering as was surely the intention. Certainly, if the lack of organisation and coordination that was shown on the opening day continued, this Book Show will have done little to 'encourage children to see how much fun is to be found in books'.
I have spoken to many adults and chil- dren whose experiences were similar. One mother told me that her son's frustrated cry of 'I hate books!' was echoed by an atten- dant wearing a publisher's badge who groaned, 'So do I!'
Anne Harvey 37 St Stephen's Road, Ealing, London wl 3
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