When Charlie McButton Lost Power

What's your stand when it comes to handing the computer to your kid to play? Here are some of the views I've come across. None of which I am passing any judgement on. Well, think about it, why should one view be disqualified just because one believes in another. We come with our own set of beliefs, prejudices and values. If we thought about issues the same way, it'd probably be a very very boring mechanical robotic place to live! So, are you the kind of parent who says no computer at all? Or the kind who says Go ahead and play all the video games, computer games, whatever it takes to keep you occupied - as long as I can have my peace? Or are you the kind who uses the computer game as a treat/incentive/motivation/bribe?This is my opinion.  The computer is a technology that will definitely come into our children's lives and there is no use resisting it. But at the same time, I am aware of the harm and damage the computer, seemingly harmless, can wreak on our kids. From affecting their attention span to retarding their creativity to becoming an addiction. But the merits are many too which cannot be denied - developing motor skills, understanding complex commands and using brains to manipulate/solve problems and as a learning tool. So I take the stand that my kids can play for a specified amount of time per week on a specified day and the games they play go through parent approval first. But I realise that even with these restrictions and guidelines, given a choice, they would dump everything else to play the computer games. Maybe having all these restrictions imposed makes it all the more tempting!? And if there were no limit set, it would be their breakfast, lunch and dinner, supper and tea-time included! So it was a lovely book that my son borrowed from his school library which addressed this issue - that the world doesn't revolve around the computer, and they should consider other games because they can be just as much fun if not better!

I'd highly recommend this book if your child simply loves the computer and thinks that everything else is mundane.

When Charlie McButton Lost Power tells the story of this boy who was so hooked on his computer that when the thunderstorm knocks out the electricity, he runs around the house looking for batteries to power his handheld computer game. He doesn't find any but he spies his sister's toy which has the battery he is looking for. He snatches the batteries from the toy which results in his sister's meltdown for which he is punished. During his timeout, he gets angrier at his sister and snaps at her to go away and leave him alone. He realises he has hurt his sister's feeling and begins to feel guilty. To make up for his bad behavior, he decides to play a game of hide-and-seek. Soon he plays a series of other fun games with his sister. When the power comes on, he does consider resuming his computer game but as the last sentence suggests - "But another thought hit him, he couldn't explain: I might also find dragon with Isabel Jane." - he might have found a more interesting alternative.

The picture book, written in rhyme makes the story fun and entertaining. The story moves from one situation to another swiftly leaving no time for the reader to ponder or be bored. The vibrant exaggerated illustration makes reading as enjoyable as looking as the pictures. My children found it extremely hilarious and entertaining to look at the expression on Charlie's face with each situation he found himself in.

Here are some questions I asked after reading the book:

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  What happened to Charlie at the beginning of the story?


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  Why was he looking for batteries?


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  How do you think Charlie felt when he couldn't find any batteries?


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  Do you think he treated his sister well? (it makes it even more real when the sibling in the book represents the siblings listening to the story!)


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  Why did he think of plating with his sister at the end? What was the story saying?