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Jerry Pinkney's books, Sam, etc.
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From: Ginny Kruse <gmkruse>
Date: Thu, 07 Nov 1996 10:09:00 -600
On 10/17, I referred to the eight books we initially singled out as examples of Jerry Pinkney's illustrated children's books and made brief comments about them. His images consistently include well researched images from historical periods and regions (John Henry, Minty, Back Home, Home Place, etc.). They often reflect images of loving, realistic families (Back Home, Patchwork Quilt, Home Place, etc.), active & happy children (Patchwork Quilt, Back Home, Pretend You're a Cat, Home Place, etc.), and expertly crafted creatures from the natural world (Sam and the Tigers, Pretend You're a Cat, Half a Moon and One Whole Star, Turtle in July, A Starlit Somersault Downhill, Jungle Book, the Uncle Remus quartet, etc.).
Mr. Pinkney's collaborations with Julius Lester incorporate all of these characteristics - and more! Their latest joint project
(Sam...) launched them into fantasy. Whenever you want to move beyond the obvious issues concerning Sam..., refer to Kathleen Horning's message on 10/8 as to whether or not they were completely successful in developing the fantasy.
An African-American colleague recently phoned to say "John Henry was always our hero," as opposed to LBS, who was never heroic for most black children - in her opinion. I consider the Lester/Pinkney John Henry to be in a class by itself because of Lester's expert retelling throughout and his wry conclusion bringing readers to today and the White House lawn. It's first class in every respect. Pinkney's superb art creates a John Henry who is a literally strong legendary character and a tragic hero, as well as placing him regionally and historically.
Keep thinking about the issues raised during the CCBC-NET discussion of Sam and the Tigers. Go back to the message "LBS and Sam" posted on 11/3.
Every time I hear or read a heartfelt personal comment such as the one dated 11/3, I'm reminded of my professional responsibility regarding selecting and recommending books for other people's children. Once I know that a story and/or its images and/or its language are hurtful to people typically misrepresented, underrepresented, or invisible in books and other materials for young people with no or few other contexts for making judgments about these people as a group, I am compelled to pay attention, regardless of whether or not it was or is my or my children's favorite story - or whether or not I personally experience or even understand that hurt. Once I know about the hurt, I will not use or feature such a story professionally. I did not say I will withdraw that book from a library collection or that it should never have been published. I stated that I will not feature it professionally with other people's children in a library story time, classroom read-aloud, a display, a bookmark, etc. In my practice of librarianship LBS is part of the historical children's literature collection, where it can be seen by anyone interested in it and other classics (some of which also never did stand the test of time, regardless of whether or not they are still in print, displayed in bookstores, etc.) If someone introduces such books to my young family members, I'll talk with them about images and words so hurtful to others, pointing out the many truly representative images and stories they already know. They and all children do have opportunities to see/hear marvelous images, because in these years - unlike the years referred to in the 11/3 message children and families of all backgrounds have positive choices, there are books from which to choose. Not that many, not enough, as if there is such a thing as "enough" but at least there are choices. In the instance of LBS, if my young family members do see it in some way outside of the home, I will remind my own young family members of the many books in which Jerry Pinkney celebrates African-American life and people - and all people. Mr. Pinkney's books in general go a long way to providing a wide range of wonderful images of people for all children.
Keep in mind that many years ago Jerry Pinkney "broke the color barrier" because of his many works concerning themes and topics that are not African-American. Mr. Pinkney would be quick to say that African-American themes and topics are his first and strongest passion. However, very few African-American artists have a such publishing record - one that includes and also goes beyond their personal heritage. His generosity and concern for all people is also consistently expressed in books that benefit peace and justice organizations (On the Wings of Peace, etc.)
By the way, for our stamp collector (who, I assume is receiving individual messages from CCBC-NET participants also interested in stamp collecting), Jerry Pinkney has long been associated with the U.S. Postal Services' Black History stamps. Take a look at them!
Thanks to everyone who participated directly in our recent discussion, which is far from over in our professional lives but which we'll set aside for now in CCBC-NET.
Let's move on to our discussion of Narrative in Children's Science Books by looking at the books of Laurence Pringle (start with Dinosaurs: Strange and Wonderful, Scorpion Man and Being a Plant) and considering the Magic School Bus series by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen. Sincerely, Ginny (gmkruse at ccbc-soemadison.wisc.edu)
*********************************** Ginny Moore Kruse, Director Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) A Library of the School of Education University of Wisconsin - Madison 4290 Helen C. White Hall, 600 N. Park St. Madison, WI 53706, U.S.A.
Received on Thu 07 Nov 1996 10:09:00 AM CST
Date: Thu, 07 Nov 1996 10:09:00 -600
On 10/17, I referred to the eight books we initially singled out as examples of Jerry Pinkney's illustrated children's books and made brief comments about them. His images consistently include well researched images from historical periods and regions (John Henry, Minty, Back Home, Home Place, etc.). They often reflect images of loving, realistic families (Back Home, Patchwork Quilt, Home Place, etc.), active & happy children (Patchwork Quilt, Back Home, Pretend You're a Cat, Home Place, etc.), and expertly crafted creatures from the natural world (Sam and the Tigers, Pretend You're a Cat, Half a Moon and One Whole Star, Turtle in July, A Starlit Somersault Downhill, Jungle Book, the Uncle Remus quartet, etc.).
Mr. Pinkney's collaborations with Julius Lester incorporate all of these characteristics - and more! Their latest joint project
(Sam...) launched them into fantasy. Whenever you want to move beyond the obvious issues concerning Sam..., refer to Kathleen Horning's message on 10/8 as to whether or not they were completely successful in developing the fantasy.
An African-American colleague recently phoned to say "John Henry was always our hero," as opposed to LBS, who was never heroic for most black children - in her opinion. I consider the Lester/Pinkney John Henry to be in a class by itself because of Lester's expert retelling throughout and his wry conclusion bringing readers to today and the White House lawn. It's first class in every respect. Pinkney's superb art creates a John Henry who is a literally strong legendary character and a tragic hero, as well as placing him regionally and historically.
Keep thinking about the issues raised during the CCBC-NET discussion of Sam and the Tigers. Go back to the message "LBS and Sam" posted on 11/3.
Every time I hear or read a heartfelt personal comment such as the one dated 11/3, I'm reminded of my professional responsibility regarding selecting and recommending books for other people's children. Once I know that a story and/or its images and/or its language are hurtful to people typically misrepresented, underrepresented, or invisible in books and other materials for young people with no or few other contexts for making judgments about these people as a group, I am compelled to pay attention, regardless of whether or not it was or is my or my children's favorite story - or whether or not I personally experience or even understand that hurt. Once I know about the hurt, I will not use or feature such a story professionally. I did not say I will withdraw that book from a library collection or that it should never have been published. I stated that I will not feature it professionally with other people's children in a library story time, classroom read-aloud, a display, a bookmark, etc. In my practice of librarianship LBS is part of the historical children's literature collection, where it can be seen by anyone interested in it and other classics (some of which also never did stand the test of time, regardless of whether or not they are still in print, displayed in bookstores, etc.) If someone introduces such books to my young family members, I'll talk with them about images and words so hurtful to others, pointing out the many truly representative images and stories they already know. They and all children do have opportunities to see/hear marvelous images, because in these years - unlike the years referred to in the 11/3 message children and families of all backgrounds have positive choices, there are books from which to choose. Not that many, not enough, as if there is such a thing as "enough" but at least there are choices. In the instance of LBS, if my young family members do see it in some way outside of the home, I will remind my own young family members of the many books in which Jerry Pinkney celebrates African-American life and people - and all people. Mr. Pinkney's books in general go a long way to providing a wide range of wonderful images of people for all children.
Keep in mind that many years ago Jerry Pinkney "broke the color barrier" because of his many works concerning themes and topics that are not African-American. Mr. Pinkney would be quick to say that African-American themes and topics are his first and strongest passion. However, very few African-American artists have a such publishing record - one that includes and also goes beyond their personal heritage. His generosity and concern for all people is also consistently expressed in books that benefit peace and justice organizations (On the Wings of Peace, etc.)
By the way, for our stamp collector (who, I assume is receiving individual messages from CCBC-NET participants also interested in stamp collecting), Jerry Pinkney has long been associated with the U.S. Postal Services' Black History stamps. Take a look at them!
Thanks to everyone who participated directly in our recent discussion, which is far from over in our professional lives but which we'll set aside for now in CCBC-NET.
Let's move on to our discussion of Narrative in Children's Science Books by looking at the books of Laurence Pringle (start with Dinosaurs: Strange and Wonderful, Scorpion Man and Being a Plant) and considering the Magic School Bus series by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen. Sincerely, Ginny (gmkruse at ccbc-soemadison.wisc.edu)
*********************************** Ginny Moore Kruse, Director Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) A Library of the School of Education University of Wisconsin - Madison 4290 Helen C. White Hall, 600 N. Park St. Madison, WI 53706, U.S.A.
Received on Thu 07 Nov 1996 10:09:00 AM CST
