Illustrated by E. B. Lewis. 26 p., Little, Brown, 1998.
Although it hurts when Keyana's Mama combs the tangled spots in her hair, the combing is part of a bedtime routine in which Keyana feels close to Mama. Mama tells her she's lucky to have this hair because it's beautiful, and she can wear it in any style she chooses. Keyana's descriptions of different hair styles, along with the watercolor illustrations, convey her deep sense of enjoyment of who she is and her pride in her African-American heritage. Children will understand how to use another person's support to transform a culturally devalued sense of self into a positive one.
Ages: 3-8
Cultural Context: African American
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Good-Bye, Bully Machine by Debbie Fox and Allan L. Beane
Illustrated by Debbie Fox. 48 p., Free Spirit, 2009.
Bullying is a pervasive problem in many environments. This non-fiction book uses the metaphor of bullying as a machine - scary, loud, powerful, cold, mean, and dangerous-looking - revealing the dehumanizing quality of bullying. The authors expose fundamentally abusive nature of bullying, saying that it is "trying to have power over somebody." They describe bullying as consisting of cruel speech and/or behavior, whether done openly or secretively. Clearly stating that being "a bully" is not an inherent characteristic, and that people can learn to stop bullying behavior, they describe who gets bullied, who bullies others, and how kids respond to bullying. Many suggestions for stopping bullying are included, including speaking kindly, telling a bully to stop specific behaviors, and reporting bullies. There's lots of encouragement for kids to stand together against bullying, and break down the machine. Illustrated with vibrant, inspiring collages, this book is a constructive resource for empowering children to end bullying.
Ages: 8-13
Cultural Context: none
Bullying is a pervasive problem in many environments. This non-fiction book uses the metaphor of bullying as a machine - scary, loud, powerful, cold, mean, and dangerous-looking - revealing the dehumanizing quality of bullying. The authors expose fundamentally abusive nature of bullying, saying that it is "trying to have power over somebody." They describe bullying as consisting of cruel speech and/or behavior, whether done openly or secretively. Clearly stating that being "a bully" is not an inherent characteristic, and that people can learn to stop bullying behavior, they describe who gets bullied, who bullies others, and how kids respond to bullying. Many suggestions for stopping bullying are included, including speaking kindly, telling a bully to stop specific behaviors, and reporting bullies. There's lots of encouragement for kids to stand together against bullying, and break down the machine. Illustrated with vibrant, inspiring collages, this book is a constructive resource for empowering children to end bullying.
Ages: 8-13
Cultural Context: none
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Stretching Ourselves: Kids with Cerebral Palsy by Alden R. Carter
Illustrated by Carol S. Carter. 40 p., Whitman, 2000.
In this book, when kids are frustrated, instead of cussing, they name vegetables. When Emily is impatient, she says, "Radishes!" When she tries to comb a snarl out of Lizzy's hair, Lizzy hollers, "Celery!" These kids have more frustrations than most, because they have cerebral palsy (CP). As Mr. Carter explains, children who have CP "most work hard to learn things that come easily to others" - things related to mobility, learning, and perception. He explains that Emily used to struggle with these frustrations, but she has learned ways to stay calm, which she practices just as she practices other skills. The author explains what CP is in child-friendly terms and shows ways that children with different types and degrees of impairment cope. Mr. Carter acknowledges each child's individuality and strengths. The sensitive, yet straightforward, color photographs work together with the text to create a sense of connection between the reader and characters. An introduction for adults and resource list are included. This book offers empathy to children who have CP, and will help children who don't have CP to feel more comfortable with children who do.
Ages: 6-10
Cultural Context: multicultural
In this book, when kids are frustrated, instead of cussing, they name vegetables. When Emily is impatient, she says, "Radishes!" When she tries to comb a snarl out of Lizzy's hair, Lizzy hollers, "Celery!" These kids have more frustrations than most, because they have cerebral palsy (CP). As Mr. Carter explains, children who have CP "most work hard to learn things that come easily to others" - things related to mobility, learning, and perception. He explains that Emily used to struggle with these frustrations, but she has learned ways to stay calm, which she practices just as she practices other skills. The author explains what CP is in child-friendly terms and shows ways that children with different types and degrees of impairment cope. Mr. Carter acknowledges each child's individuality and strengths. The sensitive, yet straightforward, color photographs work together with the text to create a sense of connection between the reader and characters. An introduction for adults and resource list are included. This book offers empathy to children who have CP, and will help children who don't have CP to feel more comfortable with children who do.
Ages: 6-10
Cultural Context: multicultural
Sunday, August 2, 2009
The Moose with Loose Poops by Charlotte Cowan MD
Illustrated by Penelope Neal. 32 p., Hippocratic Press, 2009.
Vomiting and diarrhea can be frightening to children, especially when they don't understand what's happening. In this story, as four-year-old Miles the moose happily shares his excitement about an upcoming camping trip with his Papa, he finds himself not hungry, needing his special stuffed animal, and with a tummy ache that comes and goes. Suddenly, he throws up. His Mama explains that his tummy "emptied itself the wrong way," reassures him that he'll feel better soon, and takes him home to nap. The next day, he feels all better, but when he's out with Papa, he has diarrhea - which Papa anticipates when Miles describes his symptoms. Papa explains that Miles has "pooped out the germs that made [him] sick," and reminds him to wash his hands. He and Miles's sister assure him that everyone has had diarrhea at some time. They postpone the camping trip for a few days, and when they go, there are shooting stars. Dr. Cowan's language is wonderfully descriptive and kid-friendly; for example, Miles tells his Papa, "A waterfall's coming out of my bottom!" and there's a hand-washing song. The colorful illustrations reflect the active quality of children's lives. The book includes a separate guide for parents to coping with children's gastroenteritis. With empathy for both children's misery when they're sick and their enjoyment of special times with their families, this story gives kids the information and reassurance they need to cope with tummy bugs.
Ages: 2-7
Cultural Context: non-human
Vomiting and diarrhea can be frightening to children, especially when they don't understand what's happening. In this story, as four-year-old Miles the moose happily shares his excitement about an upcoming camping trip with his Papa, he finds himself not hungry, needing his special stuffed animal, and with a tummy ache that comes and goes. Suddenly, he throws up. His Mama explains that his tummy "emptied itself the wrong way," reassures him that he'll feel better soon, and takes him home to nap. The next day, he feels all better, but when he's out with Papa, he has diarrhea - which Papa anticipates when Miles describes his symptoms. Papa explains that Miles has "pooped out the germs that made [him] sick," and reminds him to wash his hands. He and Miles's sister assure him that everyone has had diarrhea at some time. They postpone the camping trip for a few days, and when they go, there are shooting stars. Dr. Cowan's language is wonderfully descriptive and kid-friendly; for example, Miles tells his Papa, "A waterfall's coming out of my bottom!" and there's a hand-washing song. The colorful illustrations reflect the active quality of children's lives. The book includes a separate guide for parents to coping with children's gastroenteritis. With empathy for both children's misery when they're sick and their enjoyment of special times with their families, this story gives kids the information and reassurance they need to cope with tummy bugs.
Ages: 2-7
Cultural Context: non-human