The Burden Method

It was wonderful to read an article about comic book auteur Bob Burden (“Drawn to the Odd,” by Michele Botwin, Aug. 2). He played an important part in my daughter’s early language education in 1987.

After we read and enjoyed the comic “Gumby’s Summer Fun Special,” written but not drawn by Burden, I decided that Burden’s carefree yet exotic worldview would be an ideal introduction to the world of literature. Together we read all the Flaming Carrot comics as well as Robot Comics. My daughter proudly wore her Flaming Carrot T-shirt to preschool and led her classmates in playground games starring Flaming Carrot.

Today, she is in the 11th grade, makes straight A’s, and already has college credits in her transcripts. Her Stanford 9 scores recently arrived, and her language scores were in the high 90s.

I urge all parents and educators to offer Bob Burden’s wonderful stories as a refreshing and effective alternative to Mickey and Barney.

PAMELA HICKEY

Santa Monica