By Sarah Michaelis •  August 24, 2012

Heroes and villains have captured the imaginations of children since stories began. Kids lineup for hours at bookstores and movie theatres to get the latest comic or see the new superhero film. What is about good guys – and bad guys – that makes these characters so enduring and intriguing for children? Why do they tend to be guys – and mostly white guys at that? And what difference does that make in our increasingly diverse society? The TVOParents Book Club explores these questions and recommends favourites.

 

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Our Panel:

Peter Birkemoe is the owner of The Beguiling Books & Art. The Beguiling is a comic, graphic novel and manga specialty store in downtown Toronto.

Ken Setterington is often referred to as an international authority on children’s books, and he has been a librarian for more than 30 years.

David Watkins is a history teacher who writes his own comic book and uses it as a way to teach black history and to address the black hero deficit.

Peter's Picks:

 

Ken's Picks:

 

David's Picks:
  • Genesis
    By David Watkins

 


Have a look at all our other Book Club discussions too.