Monkeys on the bed

Last year, there was a sudden debate in Iceland about a children's counting book, where 10 black children are killed off one by one. That this book did not seem problematic long ago is still surprising to me, but anyhow, I just thought I would report that in the U.S., this same story has found a new expression--a new narrative frame--in the story about 10 little monkeys jumping on the bed. 

Ten little monkeys jumping on the bed
One falls off and bumps his head
Momma calls the doctor and the doctor says
No more monkeys jumping on the bed.

Next page:

Nine little monkeys hoping on the bed
One falls off and bumps his head
Momma calls the doctor and the doctor says
No more monkeys hoping on the bed

Next page:

Eight little monkeys skipping on the bed
One falls off and bumps his head
Momma calls the doctor and the doctor says
No more monkeys skipping on the bed

Next page:

Seven little monkeys dancing on the bed
One falls off and bumps his head
Momma calls the doctor and the doctor says
No more monkeys dancing on the bed.

You get the idea.

Just to show, that one can teach children subtraction, without resorting to negative stereotypes and violence. In the U.S. at least. 

Comments

Anonymous said…
The reason for the "sudden" debate is that this book, which had been out of print for about 30-40 years was republished. No use debating about something out of print that no one was reading.

I for one thought it was in extremely bad taste to republish what was definitely a child of its time. No way I got the book for my kids!
June 22, 2009 at 7:55 PM
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