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"Common Ground" by Molly Bang
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From: WMMayes at aol.com <WMMayes>
Date: Tue, 23 Sep 1997 13:57:35 -0400 (EDT)
CCBC community,
I adore Molly Bang. Her picture books have been a source of delight and wisdom to me for many years. Imagine how upset it made me to dislike one of her books, as I did with Common Ground? I have had to keep it to myself for awhile, but now I feel as if I am not losing a friend by speaking plainly about it, so here goes.
There is no doubt that Bang cares deeply about her subject, and she wants children to, as well. That element of wanting to make sure that the children get the message is what bothers me so much-?ng has not previously talked down to children and in this book she takes a fable that is quite clear to understand and hammers home the ending in such a way that I felt her preaching at the expense of writing. I envision children closing this book and saying, "OK, we get it! All right?"
How curious to me that a writer who has the grace and light touch to let readers find their way to their conclusions in such wonderful books as DELPHINE and DAWN, hammers home a message so strongly in COMMON GROUND as to almost insult the intelligence of the child reader. Does she really think that they wouldn't be able to understand her fable without her tacked-on?eling ending? Or does she just feel that the situation is so dire that she had to be sure that everyone understands? Having heard her speak this summer, I know how strongly she feels about environmental issues, so I would guess it is more the latter than the former. But it seems a shame that this book may be thought of as another in a long line of preachy, environmental books on an already overcrowded topic because she stressed the urgency of her own feelings at the expense of the story.
Hmmmmm. Re-reading this, it seems strong. Not to back-pedal, but I did admire the artwork. I guess there are certain authors for whom I have allowed their consistently amazing work to set my standards higher than the rest. I have felt the same disappointment when Cynthia Rylant produced books that have no worked for me.
I'll be interested in hearing what others think.
Walter the Giant Storyteller WMMayes at aol.com
"Love, Food, Shelter, Clothing...Books!"
Received on Tue 23 Sep 1997 12:57:35 PM CDT
Date: Tue, 23 Sep 1997 13:57:35 -0400 (EDT)
CCBC community,
I adore Molly Bang. Her picture books have been a source of delight and wisdom to me for many years. Imagine how upset it made me to dislike one of her books, as I did with Common Ground? I have had to keep it to myself for awhile, but now I feel as if I am not losing a friend by speaking plainly about it, so here goes.
There is no doubt that Bang cares deeply about her subject, and she wants children to, as well. That element of wanting to make sure that the children get the message is what bothers me so much-?ng has not previously talked down to children and in this book she takes a fable that is quite clear to understand and hammers home the ending in such a way that I felt her preaching at the expense of writing. I envision children closing this book and saying, "OK, we get it! All right?"
How curious to me that a writer who has the grace and light touch to let readers find their way to their conclusions in such wonderful books as DELPHINE and DAWN, hammers home a message so strongly in COMMON GROUND as to almost insult the intelligence of the child reader. Does she really think that they wouldn't be able to understand her fable without her tacked-on?eling ending? Or does she just feel that the situation is so dire that she had to be sure that everyone understands? Having heard her speak this summer, I know how strongly she feels about environmental issues, so I would guess it is more the latter than the former. But it seems a shame that this book may be thought of as another in a long line of preachy, environmental books on an already overcrowded topic because she stressed the urgency of her own feelings at the expense of the story.
Hmmmmm. Re-reading this, it seems strong. Not to back-pedal, but I did admire the artwork. I guess there are certain authors for whom I have allowed their consistently amazing work to set my standards higher than the rest. I have felt the same disappointment when Cynthia Rylant produced books that have no worked for me.
I'll be interested in hearing what others think.
Walter the Giant Storyteller WMMayes at aol.com
"Love, Food, Shelter, Clothing...Books!"
Received on Tue 23 Sep 1997 12:57:35 PM CDT
