We all seem to be living in a climate of fear, and much of it is fear of litigation. So we take the challenging equipment out of parks, in case a parent sues the city when Johnny falls and breaks an arm. Kids take risks elsewhere, secretly. We also sanitize children’s books in case a Fundamental Flopwhocker takes vocal offence at some mention of a naked teapot.

Yes, bad things happen, and we learn from them. Pragmatism is an attitude I believe we need to encourage in our youngsters.

While I love happily ever after (HEA) as much as the next person, removing even a hint of peril from stories tends to ruin the richness of them.

For example, I sprained my ankle last week and couldn’t pick up my daughter from school. I asked a neighbor to get her. The teacher knew I was injured, but the neighbor was not on my “emergency list” so I received a phone call from the school. They “didn’t want anyone stealing” my kid.

I laughed. The neighbor who picked up my child has two daughters in the school, they’ve known her for years. So she’s going to steal my daughter? All common sense has been discarded because of irrational fear.

This school won’t even let the kids RUN at RECESS. No. They might fall and get hurt. Well, I sprained my ankle walking. Maybe we should just make them sit on benches and stare at each other.

Sylvester and Madeline are two favorites in our house. It’s hysterical when Sylvester’s parents think he’s dead but the reader knows Sylvester is a rock. Kids love it when they know more than a character in a book–they’re suddenly smarter than a grown-up.

And yes, my kids have asked to have their appendix removed. And if wished they fell off a bridge. It’s funny stuff. They’re not going to jump off the Golden Gate or check themselves into a hospital. They’re just not. But they will laugh at characters who do. And that’s a great thing.