Sir, - What an interesting article appeared in your Arts section of October 5th: "Show Some Respect" by Siobhan Parkinson.
I wonder, as she does, why writers of literature primarily for children are not held in such high regard as those who write fiction in general? The fact is that writers of children's fiction seem to be ignored. Is it classed condescendingly as mothers' and babies' stuff? Yet women and men write it. The good and intelligent writers take their work with the seriousness it deserves.
In the world of books what is more important? When I think of books that have changed my life, I find they were mostly read during childhood, or were children's books read later, and are still my favourites. Then, as I read books to my children, I discovered new writers who opened up my own as well as the children's imaginations. (I wish I could say the same of contemporary fiction.)
Would not The Irish Times give a lead here and review children's books alongside adult fiction, giving very good children's authors their deserved respect? This would acknowledge the importance of this writing, that children are avid and critical readers, that good children's books delight us all, and that children deserve the best. - Yours, etc.,
A. Le M. Hartigan, Northbrook Road, Dublin 6.