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From: Monica R. Edinger <edinger>
Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2004 06:14:33 -0500
druthgo at sonic.net (Ruth I Gordon) writes:
This New Yorker likes the book a lot. The art is terrific. It was one of my Caldecott hopes so I'm very happy it was recognized. And I suppose it is partly because of "certain attachments". Ironic because those who know me are aware that I am pretty resistant to 9/11 books for kids. Generally I think it is too early (just as I do about the memorial.... bereavement and all takes time it seems to me).
Someone told me about the book when it was being considered by publishers and my gut reaction was negative. Having been so uncomfortable thus far with most 9/11 books for children I was pretty dubious about this one. For my school's current fourth graders 9/11 seems very far away in their lives (even for the child whose father died that day). On this year's anniversary my class created a website
(http://www.dalton.org/ms/4th/Edinger/ladybugs/9.11remembered.html) and their memories show that it is all pretty remote for most of them. And these are kids who experienced the day more viscerally than kids far away from here. Time passes differently for kids and 9/11 is becoming a dim memory for many. I'm happy for them --- I wish it could become a dim memory for me!
Gerstein's book works on so many levels. Kids can enjoy the art, the story, and its place in history (if that means much to them which I don't think it will). Other books (say Fireboat) cannot be read without the day up front and center. This one (and Mosque) are different. They are responses to the day by adults for children, but do not require any focus on the day for those readers not interested in going there.
Monica
Monica Edinger The Dalton School New York NY edinger at dalton.org monicaedinger at yahoo.com
Received on Thu 29 Jan 2004 05:14:33 AM CST
Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2004 06:14:33 -0500
druthgo at sonic.net (Ruth I Gordon) writes:
This New Yorker likes the book a lot. The art is terrific. It was one of my Caldecott hopes so I'm very happy it was recognized. And I suppose it is partly because of "certain attachments". Ironic because those who know me are aware that I am pretty resistant to 9/11 books for kids. Generally I think it is too early (just as I do about the memorial.... bereavement and all takes time it seems to me).
Someone told me about the book when it was being considered by publishers and my gut reaction was negative. Having been so uncomfortable thus far with most 9/11 books for children I was pretty dubious about this one. For my school's current fourth graders 9/11 seems very far away in their lives (even for the child whose father died that day). On this year's anniversary my class created a website
(http://www.dalton.org/ms/4th/Edinger/ladybugs/9.11remembered.html) and their memories show that it is all pretty remote for most of them. And these are kids who experienced the day more viscerally than kids far away from here. Time passes differently for kids and 9/11 is becoming a dim memory for many. I'm happy for them --- I wish it could become a dim memory for me!
Gerstein's book works on so many levels. Kids can enjoy the art, the story, and its place in history (if that means much to them which I don't think it will). Other books (say Fireboat) cannot be read without the day up front and center. This one (and Mosque) are different. They are responses to the day by adults for children, but do not require any focus on the day for those readers not interested in going there.
Monica
Monica Edinger The Dalton School New York NY edinger at dalton.org monicaedinger at yahoo.com
Received on Thu 29 Jan 2004 05:14:33 AM CST
