32 p., Harper & Row, 1980.
A little boy tells a friend that his dog, Stella, is afraid of the dark. The boy is clearly empathic about Stella's fears, although he tells her that her fear is "silly" and provides rational explanations for the scary sounds she hears. His friend advises him to teach Stella not to be afraid by hugging her. The boy is finally able to relax when Stella jumps into bed with him. This story offers empathy to children who are afraid of the dark, along with hope that a favorite animal can lessen their fear.
Ages 3-7
Main character's cultural background: European American
Cultural context: multicultural
Monday, December 27, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Loudmouth George and the New Neighbors by Nancy L. Carlson
32 p., Lerner, 1997.
In this story, each family in a house is a different species. George, a rabbit, expresses overt prejudice against the new neighbors because they are pigs, but finally his friends and the new kids are having so much fun that he joins in and finds that he can have fun with them after all. When a family of cats moves in, George's first reaction is that they're too different from "us," but he only hesitates for a minute. This story is a good demonstration of how prejudice can keep us from meeting new friends.
Ages 4-7
Main character's cultural background: non-human
Cultural context: non-human
In this story, each family in a house is a different species. George, a rabbit, expresses overt prejudice against the new neighbors because they are pigs, but finally his friends and the new kids are having so much fun that he joins in and finds that he can have fun with them after all. When a family of cats moves in, George's first reaction is that they're too different from "us," but he only hesitates for a minute. This story is a good demonstration of how prejudice can keep us from meeting new friends.
Ages 4-7
Main character's cultural background: non-human
Cultural context: non-human
Monday, December 13, 2010
Nice Try, Tooth Fairy by Mary W. Olson
Illustrated by Katherine Tillotson. 28 p., Simon & Schuster, 2000.
This story is told as a series of letters from Emma to the tooth fairy. When Emma's grandfather comes to visit, she asks the tooth fairy to return the first tooth she lost, so she can show it to him. The tooth fairy returns many other kinds of teeth, including an elephant's tusk and a skunk's tooth, before finally returning the right one. Some children might be spooked by the animals coming to Emma's room at night to reclaim their teeth, or by the idea that the tooth fairy would be so disorganized. But for other kids, this playful story may enhance the fun of losing a tooth.
Ages 4-7
Main character's cultural background: European American
Cultural context: European American
This story is told as a series of letters from Emma to the tooth fairy. When Emma's grandfather comes to visit, she asks the tooth fairy to return the first tooth she lost, so she can show it to him. The tooth fairy returns many other kinds of teeth, including an elephant's tusk and a skunk's tooth, before finally returning the right one. Some children might be spooked by the animals coming to Emma's room at night to reclaim their teeth, or by the idea that the tooth fairy would be so disorganized. But for other kids, this playful story may enhance the fun of losing a tooth.
Ages 4-7
Main character's cultural background: European American
Cultural context: European American
Monday, December 6, 2010
The Mushroom Man by Ethel Pochocki
Illustrated by Barry Moser. 32 p., Tilbury House, 1993.
It isn't always easy to find a friend, but when you find the right friend, it's wonderful. The mushroom man, who works at a mushroom farm, is a bit funny-looking, and children make fun of him. He is lonely, and eventually decides to have a pet. He meets the perfect cat, and is very happy for a while. But the cat is discontented living indoors, and leaves, and the mushroom man is alone again. Then he meets a mole. He and the mole have a lot in common, both spending their days in the dark and knowing a lot about mushrooms, and both lonely. It's difficult for the mole to trust a human, but he decides to risk it, and the two begin eating dinner together regularly. When winter comes, the mole is able to accept the mushroom man's invitation to live with him. It turns out that the mole is an excellent housekeeper. At Christmas, they celebrate the gift of their friendship. Each has survived other losses and found the right friend.
Ages 4-7
Main character's cultural background: European American
Cultural context: European American
It isn't always easy to find a friend, but when you find the right friend, it's wonderful. The mushroom man, who works at a mushroom farm, is a bit funny-looking, and children make fun of him. He is lonely, and eventually decides to have a pet. He meets the perfect cat, and is very happy for a while. But the cat is discontented living indoors, and leaves, and the mushroom man is alone again. Then he meets a mole. He and the mole have a lot in common, both spending their days in the dark and knowing a lot about mushrooms, and both lonely. It's difficult for the mole to trust a human, but he decides to risk it, and the two begin eating dinner together regularly. When winter comes, the mole is able to accept the mushroom man's invitation to live with him. It turns out that the mole is an excellent housekeeper. At Christmas, they celebrate the gift of their friendship. Each has survived other losses and found the right friend.
Ages 4-7
Main character's cultural background: European American
Cultural context: European American