Comments on: Target’s book festival for kids: Watch more TV. And shop at Target.

By: Lisa @ Corporate Babysitter

Lisa @ Corporate Babysitter — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:15:43 +0000

No, why? Do the Nickelodeon and Disney television characters magically disappear when you arrive?

By: samuel clemmons

samuel clemmons — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:01:01 +0000

Have you ever attended one of these events?

By: Lisa @ Corporate Babysitter

Lisa @ Corporate Babysitter — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 13:12:35 +0000

MT/samuel clemmons: I’m not belittling Target for spending their profits in our communities, I’m belittling them for promoting products designed to get children to watch television and shop at their stores at a ‘book fair.” To you it’s “a little bit of marketing thrown in,” to me its just another example of the insidious nature of indoctrinating kids into consumerism.

By: samuel clemmons

samuel clemmons — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 19:20:17 +0000

It appears that you want to belittle a corporation for spending profits on the communities that shop their stores? Maybe if you went to one of these events you would be able to make an INFORMED DECISION. Target puts these events on around the country. We’ve attended the hyland lake event every year and yes there actually are a lot of free events and activities; face painting, bouncers, books, pencils, bookbags, music and games about books. How many chances do your children have to actually meet authors or illustrators of books they’ve read? To let your children see that through their own imagination, creativity and skill they can write and draw stories too. It really makes the books and writing come alive at these events. And if you kid likes music then they will be cheated if they’ve never heard “justin roberts and the not ready for prime time players”! They’re music is fun and enjoyable for kids and parents alike. So go to one of these events and see for yourself! It definitely meshes well with the beginning of school and emphasizing reading and books to kids even with a bit of marketing thrown in!

By: Amy Jussel, Shaping Youth

Amy Jussel, Shaping Youth — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 01:31:57 +0000

Agree with Marjorie that it’s a major . edia literacy moment If they really wanted to promote reading fluency, etc. there are a gazillion nonprofits where that CSR could’ve been showcased nicely.

In fact, WALMART seems to have taken the higher road for big box retail on this by supporting Jumpstart’s ReadfortheRecord.org, the Pearson Foundation etc. for their big Oct. 8th event! Just sayin’…

p.s. You didn’t get enough of messin’ with Target LAST time? heh.

By: Marjorie

Marjorie — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:15:15 +0000

I think all gifthorse concerns aside, you’re exactly right to suggest those alternatives. They want to make money off of us, and our kids, period. It seems a great teachable moment for children, too, to go over what’s going on in this “festival” and why we’d rather sit on the couch and read to each other…