Faires, Witches, and Supply and Demand

Another way for Motoko Rich to frame the analysis of children's stories would be in terms of inculcating motivational tendencies in young readers (Fairies, Witches And Supply And Demand, New York Times Week in Review. August 21, 2011: 5).
David McClelland and his associates looked at themes in children's stories over a long period of time and showed that economic growth in a country followed several decades after that country's children were socialized using stories with themes reflecting high need for achievement.
My favorite achievement theme story is "The Little Engine that Could" by Watty Piper.
Sent to New York Times