Borrowed 'Maus' from the library and accidentally taught my kid about the Holocaust during snack time

I checked out Maus from our local library last month after hearing it got banned in some schools. I didn't think much of it, figured it was just a comic about history. My 8 year old saw it on the kitchen table and started flipping through while eating a granola bar. Next thing I know, he's asking why the mice are in ovens and I'm scrambling to explain genocide on a Tuesday afternoon. No preparation at all, just cold turkey reality with a side of yogurt. Anyone else had a book backfire on you like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

emmam8916d agoTop Commenter

I mean, maybe it's just me but I actually think that's kind of a good thing? Kids are gonna learn about this stuff eventually and at least it came from a real story instead of some watered down textbook version.

susansingh16d ago

Nah I gotta disagree lol, there's a big difference between learning from a real story and turning trauma into a school lesson.

the_max15d ago

Fourth grade is learning about the Oregon Trail and nobody's crying about that turning pioneer stuff into a lesson. I dunno, seems like we're overthinking this whole "protecting the kids from real life" thing a bit.