Civil people, uncivil times.

Violence in literature; Social problems in literature; Smoky Night (Book); We Are All in the Dumps With Jack & Guy (Book); Diaz, David; Sendak, Maurice, 1928-2012; Bunting, Eve, 1928-2023; Social conditions of children; Pulp Fiction (Film); Children & violence; Social problems

The article discusses the portrayals of violence and social issues in children's books. The author points to the dispassionate violence of the film "Pulp Fiction" and compares it to Eve Bunting's Caldecott Medal winning book "Smoky Night," illustrated by David Diaz. She argues that Maurice Sendak's "We Are All in the Dumps with Jack and Guy" is a better and more humane portrayal of social problems.