>I'm still searching for these themes (values) that we're
>getting out of the classics though to be able to answer that
>qustion. But I think of how so much other media bids for kids
>attention, and how much of it they are engaged with it makes
>me wonder if there aren't other ways to ensure they are
>getting those themes and values.


I mean there are numerous studies about the value of reading fiction, although not specifically classics. Also, I don't believe those are comparative studies which also looked at other media. However, I don't think it's a stretch to say that learning through reading offers a certain amount of creative, intellectual and emotional agency.