A BOOK aimed at teaching five-year-olds about terrorism sparked outrage today – as parents demanded: “Let kids be kids”.
Good Morning Britain viewers were horrified by Carole Lieberman’s cartoon-style guide which features an image of a masked jihadi with a Kalashnikov and a suicide vest.
Her book Lions And Tiger And Terrorists, Oh My!, aimed at children aged five to 14, has a cover featuring frightened children in a hot air balloon flying away from the burning Twin Towers.
Inside it calls Osama bin Laden the “most famous terrorist” and offers tips including that kids should take vitamin pills so they are “fit and strong” and can run away from terrorists.
Parents were outraged after the author plugged the book on GMB this morning and a headteacher called it “lunacy”.
The US psychologist says children are already anxious about terror attacks and her book can help parents reassure them.
But Lynette Rook said on Twitter: “The author is totally wrong, let kids be kids for god sake.”
Elaine Revell said: “Five year old children have enough to worry about just growing up!
“Let them be children I’m sure when they get older they will learn all about the horrible things in the world!”
Matt tweeted: “How ridiculous! We have always had terrorism in the UK for years, we could also give children books to warn them of murder, paedophiles and violence?!
“Stick to Peter Rabbit and let children enjoy life whilst they have the chance.”
It sparked outrage on Twitter where viewers called the author ‘a joke’.
Parents said ‘let kids be kids’ and exposing them to scary ideas could harm them.
Joanne said: “That woman is a joke!! If kids take their vitamins they can run away faster!! Omg like!”
However Simon Miller said: “I think it’s a great idea and kids are never too young to learn about this subject.”
Chantelle Waring tweeted: “It’s in our communities and on the news on a regular basis..how do we keep it away from them?
“It’s becoming the norm! We teach them the dangers of strangers so why not terrorism?”
Danielle S said: “Completely agree with this book. Parents and teachers should judge which parts to teach. This headteacher is in denial!!!”
Dr Lieberman claims terrorism is “the birds and the bees talk of the 21st century” and parents should confront it head-on.
She said on GMB: “It is a fact of life that parents do feel awkward talking to children about.
The subject sparked a debate with some parents in favour.
Naomi Salmon said the book teaches kids about ‘the world we live in’.
Other parents said it would help explain the issue to their children
“Children know a lot more about terrorism than parents and teachers want to recognise. A lot of adults are in denial.
“Children know a lot more about terrorism than parents and teachers want to recognise. A lot of adults are in denial.
“I talk about, for example, a terrorist is like the bully in the playground. I talk about it in language that is for children.
“It’s much better for children to hear about it from their parent or teacher than to be watching television and see all of this violence.”….
Joanne said: "That woman is a joke!! If kids take their vitamins they can run away faster!! Omg like!"
However Simon Miller said: "I think it’s a great idea and kids are never too young to learn about this subject."
Chantelle Waring tweeted: "It's in our communities and on the news on a regular basis..how do we keep it away from them?
"It's becoming the norm! We teach them the dangers of strangers so why not terrorism?"
Danielle S said: "Completely agree with this book. Parents and teachers should judge which parts to teach. This headteacher is in denial!!!"
Dr Lieberman claims terrorism is "the birds and the bees talk of the 21st century" and parents should confront it head-on.
She said on GMB: "It is a fact of life that parents do feel awkward talking to children about.
"Children know a lot more about terrorism than parents and teachers want to recognise. A lot of adults are in denial.
"I talk about, for example, a terrorist is like the bully in the playground. I talk about it in language that is for children.
"It's much better for children to hear about it from their parent or teacher than to be watching television and see all of this violence."
Serge Cefai, who runs three schools in London, branded it "more lunacy from across the Pond".
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