Children's Books from Cuba: Dull and Dogmatic

Abstract

Despite the well-known successes of Castro's Cuban Revolutioneducation and health services have been made available to all sections of the population, illiteracy has been eradicated, life expectancy is greater now for the average Cuban than it was in 1959, birth rates and infant mortality rates have declinedserious problems still remain in Cuba today. The Cuban economy remains fragile and to a high degree dependent on the Soviet Union and protests by discontented Cubans continue to plague Fidel Castro's government. In addition to these obvious problems, one can not help but be impressed by the dismal quality of literature available to young readers in Castro's Cuba. An examination of books for young readers published in Cuba in the 1980's reveals a constant supply of spiritless, moralistic stories that insist on teaching children what adults consider good behavior as well as an inordinate amount of blatant political propaganda. Most of these books lack interesting themes, coherent plots and/or honest characters. One must indeed feel sorry for Cuban children who are denied the pleasure and understanding of well-written fiction and the sense of discovery of interesting nonfiction. The following is a representative sample of recent Cuban books written by some of Cuba's most distinguished contemporary authors for young readers. (Due to the current trade difficulties between the United States and Cuba, these books are not readily available in the U.S.)