32 pages. Candlewick, 2001.
After eating too much candy and staying up too late, Felix wakes up feeling, as his mama says, "peaky." When home remedies don't seem to help, she takes him to Doctor Duck. Felix is afraid that he will have to face Doctor Duck without his mama, and is relieved when the doctor lets his mama stay for the entire examination. Doctor Duck gives Felix Happy Tummy medicine, and the next day, he is his old self again, full of energy. This story reassures children that treatment for minor illnesses isn't scary, and the illness won't last long.
Ages: 2-5
Cultural Context: non-human
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Sunday, March 18, 2007
The Surprise Garden by Zoe Hall
Illustrated by Shari Halpern. 32 pages. Blue Sky Press/Scholastic, 1998.
Three children plant unmarked seeds, water their garden, and wait for surprises to grow. They find vegetables, a watermelon, and a sunflower. The children enjoy picking the vegetables and eating them at a party. There is no explicit information about nutrition, but the story and the bright illustrations create a sense of anticipation about the vegetables. An afterword shows the different kinds of seeds and the vegetables they grew into.
Ages: 2-6
Cultural Context: European American
Three children plant unmarked seeds, water their garden, and wait for surprises to grow. They find vegetables, a watermelon, and a sunflower. The children enjoy picking the vegetables and eating them at a party. There is no explicit information about nutrition, but the story and the bright illustrations create a sense of anticipation about the vegetables. An afterword shows the different kinds of seeds and the vegetables they grew into.
Ages: 2-6
Cultural Context: European American
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Two Strikes, Four Eyes by Ned Delaney
32 pages. Houghton Mifflin, 1976.
Toby is a nearsighted mouse who loves baseball. Afraid of being called "Sissy" or "Four Eyes" if he's seen wearing his glasses, he won't wear them in front of his teammates, and instead they tease him about his poor playing. When he eventually plays with his glasses, he wins the championship game for his team. His teammates ask him why he never wore his glasses before, and finally appreciate him. Children will understand that if you can't see, but should be able to, it doesn't matter how you look - it just isn't worth it.
Ages: 3-8
Cultural Context: non-human
Toby is a nearsighted mouse who loves baseball. Afraid of being called "Sissy" or "Four Eyes" if he's seen wearing his glasses, he won't wear them in front of his teammates, and instead they tease him about his poor playing. When he eventually plays with his glasses, he wins the championship game for his team. His teammates ask him why he never wore his glasses before, and finally appreciate him. Children will understand that if you can't see, but should be able to, it doesn't matter how you look - it just isn't worth it.
Ages: 3-8
Cultural Context: non-human
Sunday, March 4, 2007
How I Named the Baby by Linda Shute
32 pages. Whitman, 1993.
One way that children can be involved in a new baby's life is to help think of baby names. James immediately asks to have this role when Momma tells him about her pregnancy. He also decides to make the baby a birthday picture during the last month of Momma's pregnancy. Because the baby is to be born in June, he includes the word "June" on the picture, along with images of the baby and the things he and the baby will share. This inspires the family to consider naming the baby June, if she's a girl. This is the one girl's name that everyone agrees is perfect -- and the baby is a girl. This book includes an appendix with popular names in several countries, and their meanings. This story will encourage children to participate in naming their new brother or sister, and by doing this, to have a special involvement in the baby's life from the beginning.
Ages: 4-7
Cultural Context: multicultural
How I Named the Baby
One way that children can be involved in a new baby's life is to help think of baby names. James immediately asks to have this role when Momma tells him about her pregnancy. He also decides to make the baby a birthday picture during the last month of Momma's pregnancy. Because the baby is to be born in June, he includes the word "June" on the picture, along with images of the baby and the things he and the baby will share. This inspires the family to consider naming the baby June, if she's a girl. This is the one girl's name that everyone agrees is perfect -- and the baby is a girl. This book includes an appendix with popular names in several countries, and their meanings. This story will encourage children to participate in naming their new brother or sister, and by doing this, to have a special involvement in the baby's life from the beginning.
Ages: 4-7
Cultural Context: multicultural
How I Named the Baby
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About the Author
- Jacqueline Golding, Ph.D.
- Jacqueline Golding, Ph.D. is a psychologist in private practice in Pleasanton, California who works with children, teens, and adults. A graduate of Yale University, Dr. Golding earned her Ph.D. in psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the Central Contra Costa County Child, Adolescent, and Family Mental Health Service in Concord, California. She holds an appointment as Professor Emeritus at the University of California, San Francisco and has published over 100 articles in scientific and professional journals on topics such as trauma, depression, and cultural issues in mental health. Dr. Golding is represented by the Levine Greenberg Literary Agency.
