It may no longer be kosher for kids to "play army" -- to divide themselves into camps of G.I.'s and Germans and blast each other with hand grenades.
Even toy soldiers have fallen by the way. They fill more antique stores than toy chests these days.But if you take your cues from the publishing world, "academic interest" among kids in America's warriors and wars is as strong as ever.
Here is a look at three new books designed to teach children about America and war, and give them some sense and sensibility about the battlefield.
SCHOLASTIC ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE UNITED STATES AT WAR; June A. English and Thomas D. Jones; Scholastic Books; 183 pages; $18.95
This is a kid's book, so be assured it is colorful and clearly written. The reference work traces the history of all of America's wars, from the American Revolution through the Indian Wars, the Korean War and the gulf war.
Maps, graphs and sidebar items abound. In fact, in an attempt to be "reader friendly," the publisher has included so many subheadings in so many colors and typefaces that the text looks difficult and intimidating.
For kids willing to hang with it, however, this encyclopedia has enough information to help them get a "A" on those term papers.
Also on the plus side, the book does a fine job of boiling America's wars down to their basic points of principle, strategies and outcomes.
On the down side, wars are a messy, complicated business that are never as clear-cut as history makes them out to be. The text does do a good job in striking a concerned tone when discussing the horrors, however. Whether kids will hear that tone beneath the romantic glamour of heroism is open to debate.
G.I. JOE: THE COMPLETE STORY OF AMERICA'S FAVORITE MAN OF ACTION; By John Michlig; Chronicle Books; 208 pages; $29.95.
Love him or hate him, G.I. Joe will always be with us.
He's an American icon.
As a toy action figure, "Joe" evolved into the model of American courage, valiance and honor.
His hard-bitten style and stockpile of sophisticated weapons have also made more than a few parents nervous.
Barbie has clothes.
G.I. Joe has bazookas.
Not everyone's happy with the arrangement.
Still, in this lush, coffee-table book, Michlig follows the ultimate toy soldier through the decades, giving us the type of in-depth personal history usually reserved for real soldiers -- the Lees and Grants, Pattons and Eisenhowers.
If you're a G.I. Joe fan, this book is for you.
THE JOURNAL OF WILLIAM THOMAS EMERSON: A REVOLUTIONARY WAR PATRIOT; By Barry Denenberg; Scholastic; 156 pages; $9.95.
For its "My Name is America" series, Scholastic Books has been publishing history books about young people in "dear diary" format. The fictitious characters speak to readers through journal entries, giving the texts more immediacy and personality.
Many of the volumes are about young soldiers. This look at the Revolutionary War through the eyes of a young boy is a quick, interesting read and an example of the best the series has to offer.