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From: Angela Reynolds <angelar>
Date: Wed, 13 Nov 2002 12:18:03 -0800
I'm enjoying this discussion- especially the "animal family" books. While it is sad that we don't have as many good books depicting diverse human families as we would wish, I do think that the animal books have a solid place in this discussion. The "lesson" in the book could apply to anyone and any situation. For example, "For Pete's Sake" by Ellen Stoll Walsh. Pete is a baby alligator who thinks he is a flamingo. Pete says "I'm green. I want to be pink. Everyone else is." This could apply to so many situations! Finally, Pete concludes, "I'm different but the same." Would that all children could so easily learn this at a young age, and be supported by their families in that conclusion.
Other family books that have stayed with me:
"Tar Beach" by Faith Ringgold. While this family is not 'alternative', it is a wonderfully honest portrayal of a family just living their lives, where the children are obviously given the opportunity to be themselves. An excellent example of the kind of books those supposedly all-white communities should have on their shelves.
A recent book-- "Visiting Day" by Jacqueline Woodson-- A young girl and her Grandma go to visit Dad who is in prison. What a touching peek into family life!
And for the wonderful insight into a Korean-American family, I treasure An Na's "A Step from Heaven". Myself, coming from a white, 2-parent family with cousins and grandparents and aunts and uncles (ha- a "typical" family??), I 've always loved reading about how other families live. And while the picture books give us images and short glimpses, only in a book like "A Step from Heaven" do we really get to see the intricacies of daily life.
Angela J. Reynolds, Youth Services Librarian Washington County Cooperative Library Services 111 NE Lincoln MS58A Hillsboro, OR 97124 503F694 fax: 503a5f01 angelar at wccls.lib.or.us www.WILInet.wccls.lib.or.us
Received on Wed 13 Nov 2002 02:18:03 PM CST
Date: Wed, 13 Nov 2002 12:18:03 -0800
I'm enjoying this discussion- especially the "animal family" books. While it is sad that we don't have as many good books depicting diverse human families as we would wish, I do think that the animal books have a solid place in this discussion. The "lesson" in the book could apply to anyone and any situation. For example, "For Pete's Sake" by Ellen Stoll Walsh. Pete is a baby alligator who thinks he is a flamingo. Pete says "I'm green. I want to be pink. Everyone else is." This could apply to so many situations! Finally, Pete concludes, "I'm different but the same." Would that all children could so easily learn this at a young age, and be supported by their families in that conclusion.
Other family books that have stayed with me:
"Tar Beach" by Faith Ringgold. While this family is not 'alternative', it is a wonderfully honest portrayal of a family just living their lives, where the children are obviously given the opportunity to be themselves. An excellent example of the kind of books those supposedly all-white communities should have on their shelves.
A recent book-- "Visiting Day" by Jacqueline Woodson-- A young girl and her Grandma go to visit Dad who is in prison. What a touching peek into family life!
And for the wonderful insight into a Korean-American family, I treasure An Na's "A Step from Heaven". Myself, coming from a white, 2-parent family with cousins and grandparents and aunts and uncles (ha- a "typical" family??), I 've always loved reading about how other families live. And while the picture books give us images and short glimpses, only in a book like "A Step from Heaven" do we really get to see the intricacies of daily life.
Angela J. Reynolds, Youth Services Librarian Washington County Cooperative Library Services 111 NE Lincoln MS58A Hillsboro, OR 97124 503F694 fax: 503a5f01 angelar at wccls.lib.or.us www.WILInet.wccls.lib.or.us
Received on Wed 13 Nov 2002 02:18:03 PM CST
