BIP for Kids (Johnny Learns About the World)

[LMNO]

In the following story, each ----------- represents a page break.  I could really use an illustrator who can draw this for me, please.




This is Johnny.


----------------


Johnny wants to learn about the world.

He decides that his eyes will tell him about the world.


---------------


Johnny sees a bird.
[picture of a sitting bird.  Its wings are folded, and it,Äôs blue.]

It is a blue bird.


----------------


[bird flies off. The feathers under its wings are red.]
Oh, no!  It is a red bird!


Now Johnny knows that birds are blue and red.


----------------


[bird flies into tree, and perches on a branch.]
Johnny sees the bird,Äôs feet.

Oh, No!  They are yellow!

Now birds are blue and red and yellow!

What other kinds of things can birds be?


-----------------


[bird flies off, disturbing an apple, which falls to the ground.]
Look, an apple!

The apple is red.


------------------


[Johnny bites into the apple, exposing the interior.]
Oh, no!  The apple is white!

And the apple is sweet!


-----------------


[Johnny bites into a rotten part of the apple, showing it,Äôs bruise.]
Oh, no!  The apple is brown!

And the apple is bitter!

Johnny knows that an apple is red and white and sweet and bitter.

What else is an apple?


---------------------


[Johnny leans up against the tree and looks up.]
The tree is rough.

And the tree is tall.


---------------------


[Johnny has leaned into a puddle of oozing sap.]
Oh, no!  The tree is sticky!


--------------------


[Johnny looks up to see a much taller tree.]
Oh, no!  The tree is short!

Johnny knows that trees are rough and sticky and tall and short.

What else is a tree?


----------------------


[Johnny points to something off the page.]

Johnny sees HIMEOBS.


----------------------

























[The book simply ends there.]

[AFK]

winnar!

Though I would suggest that we ask anyone but Net to illustrate.  We don't want the kiddies having nightmares afterall. 
But srsly, I like. 

[LMNO]

You'll get all the kids asking, "What's HIMEOBS?"

[AFK]

Somehow I picture it ending with Pat Robertson and/or Jerry Falwell ranting and raving. 

[LMNO]

I have a few other ideas, but I have to work on them.

[Cain]

Can I just say the idea of teaching kids any philosophical or pseudo-religious concepts scares me.  Not least because we're straying into Reverend fucking Uncle BadTouch territory (creepy enough on its own) but I think apart from general critical thinking, no-one should be taught about religion outside of its historical influence until at least 13-14.

[LMNO]

Do you think the above story wanders into that territory?

[hunter s.durden]

Noone should be taught about HIMEOBS.
Evar.

[P3nT4gR4m]

Can I just say the idea of teaching kids any philosophical or pseudo-religious concepts scares me.  Not least because we're straying into Reverend fucking Uncle BadTouch territory (creepy enough on its own) but I think apart from general critical thinking, no-one should be taught about religion outside of its historical influence until at least 13-14.

Teach them about charlatans. Poke ridicule at religious teachings. Cast the pope as a rat toothed torso and jesus as a disembodied ranting head.

come to think of it .... maybe I could sell BJS to nickelodeon?

[Cain]

Do you think the above story wanders into that territory?

Not really, although to a degree, yes, otherwise it wouldn't be in here.

I'm just cautious when it comes to kids and beliefs.  I'd rather not be seen to pushing a certain belief system at all.  While exposure to various beliefs is fine, I dont think young kids in particular should be given ideas that may be misinterpretated or accepted in a deformed and dogmatic manner.  Which is entirely possible with underdeveloped minds.

[LMNO]

Yeah, I wasn't gonna go toward the "YOU ARE IN PRISON" or anything like that.

Except for the last page (which was a joke, if anyone didn't realize.  I would never include HIMEOBS in a book), it was all about making assumptions about the things you see.

[P3nT4gR4m]

There's a fine line that is crossed somewhere between "Don't pick up the fire" and "say your prayers before you go to bed"

so fine I've no fucking idea where it is

still, I try my best not to cross it when dealing with kids.

[Cramulus]

kids are information and belief sponges. Besides, their parents are going to teach them something even more retarded.

When I was like 8 I honestly believed that the toilet was alive and that it loved eating my poos. I hung out with it and talked to it when I thought it was lonely. I think my personality today still sort of reflects that.

so like, if we can, hell yeah we should totally melt kids' brains.

[Adios]

Perhaps just the concept of independent thought would work as well.

[Cain]

Its a tricky one to call, I agree.  I went to a religious school and while you know I have no particular dislike for Christianity, it was hardly a pleasant experience.  They pushed the religious line every chance they got over there.  Hence my suspicion on the subject in general.