A review by combimagnetron
King Matt the First by Janusz Korczak

4.0

I'd read this book as an example of what a more contemporary book about adult themes aimed at youths could be. I feel the racial stereotyping, whilst very progressive for the time, is just too grave to share with (most) children up to 10 in it's current form. Not because they are unexplainable, but because they might still leave unconscious traces of 'othering' and essentializing. Even if, superficially, children might be able to understand it's 'just a story' and it's supposed to 'make children say eww'. It asks of children to have a proper mindset, an internal voice that will actively dismiss any racist statements. When reading to children an adult might take the role of this voice, but would, in my opinion, still have to take great caution. I would advice to do this head on, though, and not try to substitute the problematic passages.
I do think though, this is a fantastic book for later reading. For an account of Korczak's thought on youth participation wrapped in an engaging, endearing, moving story of young king Matt. Who, after being forced into it through sad misfortune, slowly but certainly gets to know the world of adults the hard way. He never becomes perfect. But he , sometimes maturely swallowing his feelings, always overthinks his adventures and mistakes therein. This process of learning and growing, endearingly put on paper by Korczak, sets a great example for children and adults alike.