Rating a Story CD for Children/Adults

[mythteller]

I'm about to release a new CD of stories that I've recorded called "The Bard's New Hat" and I'm trying to figure out how I should market it.

Off the top, I would say that the stories are family-friendly, but there's one story that has an element that may put some people off. In the story "Brahma and the Brahman", there is a character that lives her life as a prostitute. I don't go into graphic detail about her business, but I'm wondering if just mentioning this occupation in this story puts the whole CD out of the Family-Friendly category.

I'd rather not remove the story from the CD, but I worry that it might be irresponsible or unethical to sell the CD when I know children will be listening to that story. How big a deal do you think this is?

Update: Listen to the story here.

Comments

view from the West

[(Anonymous)]

I just listened to your story. It's a great story, well told and there's nothing offensive or vulgar about it obviously. It would however, raise uncomfortable questions from a child and I don't believe it should be included on a story CD for children. "...for she is destined to become a prostitute." (pause) certainly invites the question.

Similarly someone mentioned Neil Gaiman's books. "The Graveyard Book" is critically acclaimed as one of his best and targets middle-school readers (and adults). The book opens with the main character's family being murdered. It's not described in graphic detail but the idea of a boy's family being murdered is not something I want my son exposed to. Sure, he could handle it and would enjoy the book. He could also handle an explanation about prostitution and would certainly enjoy your story. That being said, I would prefer he just be a kid with a kid's perception of the world for just a little longer. I'm sure most parent's share this view.
They'll be exposed to prostitution, murder, etc. soon enough.