I am going to try something different this time. There is a book I've always liked, but to admit I like it would be opening up a can of worms as tall as the Empire State building. This book has always had a reputation for being controversial. It was used by people to hurt others, although that was never the writer's intention. The original intent of the story was to entertain, nothing more.
So I am going to blog about this book. But I am going to blog about this book in a completely gender neutral, white washed way. If you can figure out what book I am talking about, more power to you! But to be honest, I am more interested in seeing how many different responses I get to the clues I give out.
Here are a few clues, and a bit of background on the book.
It is a children's book, written in the 1800s. Since then it has been published, mocked, satirized and remade many times. In 1932 a famous American writer and activist called the book "hurtful" to certain children. In Japan, it has become very controversial not just for the obvious reason, but for piracy as well. It has been rewritten, renamed, re released and re illustrated in both positive and negative ways.
It was written by a military spouse for the entertainment of the military offspring while stationed on a foreign base. The story itself is about a child who is accosted by a series of endangered mammals indigenous to the area. The child, in an effort to protect itself, bargains for its ability to continue on this particular plain of existence. In each case the child's offers are acceptable to the particular endangered mammal and it's allowed to exist. Eventually the child is denied all of its possessions by the endangered mammals, so continues to its domicile in a state of distress. Each of the endangered mammals, who now possess the child's goods is convinced through intense egocentricity that he has achieved a state of perfection. Eventually, all of the endangered mammals meet up which leads to a confrontation. The child, hearing the confrontation, believes the endangered mammals are after it, The child hides where it is able to see the confrontation. The confrontation is at first only vocal, but eventually each endangered mammal attacks the other. Each latches onto an opponent's appendage, and commence to encircle a woody perennial at a high rate of velocity until they have liquefied into a large puddle of ghee. The child then collects its possessions, and along with the ghee returns to its domicile where it resides with two guardians. One of the guardians prepares food high in carbohydrates using the ghee for the family unit to consume. Each of the members of the family unite partake of the carbohydrate sustenance which bears a striking resemblance to the coloration of the endangered mammals. One guardian eats many, the other eats more but the child consumes the most.
Pretentious politically correct writing aside, the reason why I liked the book is very simple. The hero of the story faces scary things, but rather than running finds a way to not only survive, but thrive. The child is very clever. The child not only survives a life threatening confrontation, but manages to come out on top. To me it teaches the young reader to think through a problem. The original pictures were redone a multiple number of times, but when the book was originally illustrated there were no overtones of any kind. The illustrator just drew what was common to the area. The story itself is a great story about a clever child, no political/racial/sexual overtones are contained within the words. It was just meant to entertain. It is only ignorant people who take a simple child's story and turns it into a hotbed of controversy.
Let me know if you figure out which book I'm talking about. As I said from the start I'll be more interested in the wrong answers than I will be in the right.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Friday, February 17, 2012
Caddie Woodlawn
If your daughter likes the "Little House on the Prairie" series she will love "Caddie Woodlawn". Caddie Woodlawn is Laura Ingalls on steroids. Written by Carol Ryrie Brink in 1935, Caddie Woodlawn is a story about Carol Ryrie Brink's grandmother. Caddie Woodlawn grew up in Wisconsin in the 1850s. When she was a little girl, she almost died, Caddie's father decided to raise her the same way he raised his sons, with Caddie spending time outside, rather than shut in the house sewing, and cooking. Although her mother didn't approve, she did agree to go along with the experiment. So while Caddie's sisters learned "the art of being a lady" Caddie happily ran wild with her brothers. She was a fearless little girl, who could take a bump as well as a boy, but she was a kind soul as well.
Caddie had a soft spot for the Indians who lived nearby. One of them, named John, was her especial friend. He would call her "Missee Red Hair". Caddie's neighbors however, distrust the Indians and that leads to what might be Caddie's biggest adventure.
Rumors of an Indian massacre have frightened the neighbors so much that they gather at the Woodlawn's house. For two days woman and children take shelter while the man keep watch. Caddie's father is positive their neighbors are trusthworthy but others aren't so sure. After Caddie overhears neighbors planning to attack John's encampment, she sneaks away from her home and goes off to warn him. Thanks to the bravery of both Caddie and John, peace is restored to the neighborhood.
In 1936, Carol Ryrie Brink won the Newberry Award for Children's Literature with Caddie Woodlawn. She continued to write her entire life, and died in 1981 at the age of 86.
This book is a great read for children between the ages of 8 to 10. It will give them an excellent idea of what life was like before the US had 50 states. Give it a glance and see if you don't enjoy it as well!
Caddie had a soft spot for the Indians who lived nearby. One of them, named John, was her especial friend. He would call her "Missee Red Hair". Caddie's neighbors however, distrust the Indians and that leads to what might be Caddie's biggest adventure.
Rumors of an Indian massacre have frightened the neighbors so much that they gather at the Woodlawn's house. For two days woman and children take shelter while the man keep watch. Caddie's father is positive their neighbors are trusthworthy but others aren't so sure. After Caddie overhears neighbors planning to attack John's encampment, she sneaks away from her home and goes off to warn him. Thanks to the bravery of both Caddie and John, peace is restored to the neighborhood.
In 1936, Carol Ryrie Brink won the Newberry Award for Children's Literature with Caddie Woodlawn. She continued to write her entire life, and died in 1981 at the age of 86.
This book is a great read for children between the ages of 8 to 10. It will give them an excellent idea of what life was like before the US had 50 states. Give it a glance and see if you don't enjoy it as well!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
A Sick Day for Amos McGee
I was browsing around the bookstore Monday when I came across a book entitled "A Sick Day for Amos McGee". The illustrations were what first attracted me to the book. I don't usually judge a book by its cover, but in this case I am glad I did.
"A Sick Day for Amos McGee" is about a zoo keeper named Amos McGee. Every day he wakes up, makes his breakfast and rides the bus to work. Once there, he keeps busy all day with his animal friends. He plays chess with the elephant, runs races with the tortoise, keeps the shy penguin company, and reads bedtime stories to the owl.
But one morning Amos is too sick to go to work. His animal friends miss him so much that they take the bus to Amos' house to keep him company. With his good friends' help, Amos makes it back to the zoo in no time.
This book is written by Philip Stead and illustrated by his wife Erin Stead. Because of her beautiful work, the book won the 2011 Caldecott award for best children's illustrated book. It also won an award for the story. Publisher Weekly listed it as best Children's book of 2010.
The story itself, though simply written with easy to follow sentences, has a charm which keeps little ones entertained. The animals unique personalities give the children an imagery that they will love for many years.
This story is for younger children, from ages three to seven. It is easy to read out loud. Definitely a good book to sit down with for a little quiet time. The illustrations are accurately done.The book is shaded rather than colored, but the shading seems to fit the entire story somehow.
Don't be surprised if once she reads the book, your little ones want to challenge the tortoises to a race, or an elephant to chess. After reading "A Sick day for Amos McGee" you may want to yourself!
"A Sick Day for Amos McGee" is about a zoo keeper named Amos McGee. Every day he wakes up, makes his breakfast and rides the bus to work. Once there, he keeps busy all day with his animal friends. He plays chess with the elephant, runs races with the tortoise, keeps the shy penguin company, and reads bedtime stories to the owl.
But one morning Amos is too sick to go to work. His animal friends miss him so much that they take the bus to Amos' house to keep him company. With his good friends' help, Amos makes it back to the zoo in no time.
This book is written by Philip Stead and illustrated by his wife Erin Stead. Because of her beautiful work, the book won the 2011 Caldecott award for best children's illustrated book. It also won an award for the story. Publisher Weekly listed it as best Children's book of 2010.
The story itself, though simply written with easy to follow sentences, has a charm which keeps little ones entertained. The animals unique personalities give the children an imagery that they will love for many years.
This story is for younger children, from ages three to seven. It is easy to read out loud. Definitely a good book to sit down with for a little quiet time. The illustrations are accurately done.The book is shaded rather than colored, but the shading seems to fit the entire story somehow.
Don't be surprised if once she reads the book, your little ones want to challenge the tortoises to a race, or an elephant to chess. After reading "A Sick day for Amos McGee" you may want to yourself!
Friday, February 3, 2012
Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry
When I was in high school the book "Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry" was published. I remember giving it a passing glance, but being a teen turned it down for more romantic novels.
Today for the first time I read it. Tomorrow, when I go see my sister, I plan to give it to her ten year old triplets. It was a very good book, and is especially interesting for black history month.
The book is about a family called the Logans, who live in Mississippi in the 1930s. The Logans are unusual in that they own their own land, and have no need of sharecropping the way most poor families did in those days. But to be black, educated and propertied in those days was a recipe for trouble. Thanks to the fast thinking of their parents, the Logan children learn a valuable lesson about surviving in tough times.
The book is told from the point of view of 9 year old Cassie Logan. She is the only daughter and second oldest child of the four Logan children. Her mother is a teacher at the black children's school. Her father spends a good deal of time away from home, working on the railroads in order to provide for her family.
Cassie doesn't understand why she is treated differently from the white children. Because she is a prideful child, she resents the way she is forced to kowtow to others because they are white. Her older brother Stacey, age 12 knows enough to keep his mouth shut. Her younger brothers, Little Man and Christopher-John are only 7 and 8. They are aware of tension, but don't understand that the tension is racially motivated. Cassie's mother tries to explain it but it is difficult for the high spirited Cassie to understand. In the end, a trouble making neighbor and Cassie's father, set in motion a series of events that bring Cassie to a new level of maturity.
This is a very intensive book to read. I wouldn't recommend it for a child under 10. Even high school students might have trouble reading it. Not because it is complicated. It isn't. However, the time that this family lives through makes for hard realities.
At one point in the story, Cassie visits with a black man who has been severely burned by white people. There is no justice for him because of the color of his skin. Even when the men who burned him brag about it, the law ignores the elderly man's right for justice. Cassie also sees white people trying to steal her family's land, because of greed and jealousy.
The language in the book is strong, with white people constantly referring to the Logan's and others as "nigger". Some parents may not want their children to read the book because of that, but they will deny their children an eye opening view of life in the south during those sad times.
I can't imagine being black and growing up in the south during Jim Crow laws. It must have been horrible, and being the big mouthed person that I am, I am sure I would have gotten myself in trouble many times over. "Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry" is a book which will open your eyes to what people of color faced everyday in the 1930s and beyond.
Today for the first time I read it. Tomorrow, when I go see my sister, I plan to give it to her ten year old triplets. It was a very good book, and is especially interesting for black history month.
The book is about a family called the Logans, who live in Mississippi in the 1930s. The Logans are unusual in that they own their own land, and have no need of sharecropping the way most poor families did in those days. But to be black, educated and propertied in those days was a recipe for trouble. Thanks to the fast thinking of their parents, the Logan children learn a valuable lesson about surviving in tough times.
The book is told from the point of view of 9 year old Cassie Logan. She is the only daughter and second oldest child of the four Logan children. Her mother is a teacher at the black children's school. Her father spends a good deal of time away from home, working on the railroads in order to provide for her family.
Cassie doesn't understand why she is treated differently from the white children. Because she is a prideful child, she resents the way she is forced to kowtow to others because they are white. Her older brother Stacey, age 12 knows enough to keep his mouth shut. Her younger brothers, Little Man and Christopher-John are only 7 and 8. They are aware of tension, but don't understand that the tension is racially motivated. Cassie's mother tries to explain it but it is difficult for the high spirited Cassie to understand. In the end, a trouble making neighbor and Cassie's father, set in motion a series of events that bring Cassie to a new level of maturity.
This is a very intensive book to read. I wouldn't recommend it for a child under 10. Even high school students might have trouble reading it. Not because it is complicated. It isn't. However, the time that this family lives through makes for hard realities.
At one point in the story, Cassie visits with a black man who has been severely burned by white people. There is no justice for him because of the color of his skin. Even when the men who burned him brag about it, the law ignores the elderly man's right for justice. Cassie also sees white people trying to steal her family's land, because of greed and jealousy.
The language in the book is strong, with white people constantly referring to the Logan's and others as "nigger". Some parents may not want their children to read the book because of that, but they will deny their children an eye opening view of life in the south during those sad times.
I can't imagine being black and growing up in the south during Jim Crow laws. It must have been horrible, and being the big mouthed person that I am, I am sure I would have gotten myself in trouble many times over. "Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry" is a book which will open your eyes to what people of color faced everyday in the 1930s and beyond.
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