Morals in children's books - plus digression

The discussion on gender stereotypes in pre-school books has reminded me of these musings on morals in children's books, started a few weeks ago, and then left lurking, despondent and neglected, on my work computer. I have now added a bit more, and included a digression on the differences between American and British children's books, because I was asked about this yesterday.

( Morals in children's books, now with added digression on the differences between American and British children's books. Rather long, all in all - rather like this lj cut text - and lacking in conclusions )