PokÉmon ­ Is it right for your family?
by Sheri Wallace

"Mostly, she likes talking about Pokémon with her friends and watching the cartoon."

When asked about the level of violence in the game and cartoons, Dawn was concerned.

"I have seen some of the shows and the video game, and there is no blood and guts or anything like that. The creatures do fight, but they just faint, they don't die."

However young Kelsi was oblivious to any violence whatsoever in the cartoons. "What? Violence? There is no violence at all in Pokemon," she said.

One thing is certain. Whatever message the creators of Pokemon choose to portray, Kelsi and countless children like her are heeding it. Kelsi says that she cries at some of the episodes and can quote from each one she has seen. There is no doubt that they make a big impact on her. So far however, her mom hasn't noticed any negative behaviors from the Pokémon exposure. In fact, Ms. Bozzo says that Pokémon teaches some good lessons to children.

"It teaches them about the meaning of friendship and about learning right from wrong."