When I worked in a bookstore I was often asked about buying books as gifts for kids. The person purchasing the books usually knew nothing about the child beyond gender and approximate age. Inquiring about the child's interests produced mixed results. I heard answers like, "I think he plays soccer", or "She likes pink." Great. I'll just take you to the pink book section and let you decide. I'm kidding. No customer who initiated this conversation would leave with anything less than a book prescription. Buy two volumes of Junie B. Jones and don't call me tomorrow to complain that the kid already has the whole collection.
Anywho.
My point is that children do have opinions about literature and reading materials should not be dictated by age or gender. My daughter still loves her board books, but she also enjoys hearing the original Grimm's version of Snow White. I know her well enough to know she can handle it.
My husband read very well, at a very early age. He enjoyed the works of Stephen King when he was still in elementary school. Aaron is a big believer in NOT censoring reading materials. However, every reasonable parent has their limit and Violet keeps reminding Aaron what his looks like.
