CCBC-Net Archives
Two towers
- Contemporary messages sorted: [ by date ] [ by subject ] [ by author ]
From: Diane & Kevin Foote <dkfoote>
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 13:14:37 -0600
This ex-New Yorker loves this book (yes, I lived there on 9/11). Part of its worth, I think, is that it would have been a compelling story even before 9/11 - imagine tightrope walking between those towers! And of course, Gerstein's artwork is always stellar.
It's funny, even though I'm glad this book won, I've had sneaking feelings that those outside of NYC are more sentimental than New Yorkers about the whole thing, echoed by Monica's general aversion to books about the event. I hated FIREBOAT, but I know many people loved it, and I don't want to get off onto a tangent about that book, it's just an anecdotal example. (I DO admire Maira Kalman's art generally).
But when I think about it, my experience in NYC was similar to that of most Americans outsidethe city: I worked in midtown and lived near Union Square
(about 2 miles away from the towers), and I saw coverage of events on CNN like everyone else. So maybe there isn't as much of a difference between the way New Yorkers feel about these events and books about them and the way most Americans feel - of course, those who were directly affected (unlike myself) will have a completely different set of experiences/opinions, I'm sure.
But in any case, bravo to Mordecai and to the committee for choosing this book!
Foote (Univ. IL GSLIS student, Acting Associate Editor at Book Links, ex-Marketing Director)
Message----From: Monica R. Edinger [mailto:edinger at dalton.org] Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2004 5:15 AM To: Ruth I Gordon Cc: Subscribers of ccbc-net Subject: Re: [ccbc-net] Two towers
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
~ ~ ~ To send a reply to the entire CCBC-Net community,click on...
mailto:ccbc-net at ccbc.education.wisc.edu To send a request to remove your address from the mailing list, click on...
mailto:ccbc-net-unsub at ccbc.education.wisc.edu
Received on Fri 30 Jan 2004 01:14:37 PM CST
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 13:14:37 -0600
This ex-New Yorker loves this book (yes, I lived there on 9/11). Part of its worth, I think, is that it would have been a compelling story even before 9/11 - imagine tightrope walking between those towers! And of course, Gerstein's artwork is always stellar.
It's funny, even though I'm glad this book won, I've had sneaking feelings that those outside of NYC are more sentimental than New Yorkers about the whole thing, echoed by Monica's general aversion to books about the event. I hated FIREBOAT, but I know many people loved it, and I don't want to get off onto a tangent about that book, it's just an anecdotal example. (I DO admire Maira Kalman's art generally).
But when I think about it, my experience in NYC was similar to that of most Americans outsidethe city: I worked in midtown and lived near Union Square
(about 2 miles away from the towers), and I saw coverage of events on CNN like everyone else. So maybe there isn't as much of a difference between the way New Yorkers feel about these events and books about them and the way most Americans feel - of course, those who were directly affected (unlike myself) will have a completely different set of experiences/opinions, I'm sure.
But in any case, bravo to Mordecai and to the committee for choosing this book!
Foote (Univ. IL GSLIS student, Acting Associate Editor at Book Links, ex-Marketing Director)
Message----From: Monica R. Edinger [mailto:edinger at dalton.org] Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2004 5:15 AM To: Ruth I Gordon Cc: Subscribers of ccbc-net Subject: Re: [ccbc-net] Two towers
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
~ ~ ~ To send a reply to the entire CCBC-Net community,click on...
mailto:ccbc-net at ccbc.education.wisc.edu To send a request to remove your address from the mailing list, click on...
mailto:ccbc-net-unsub at ccbc.education.wisc.edu
Received on Fri 30 Jan 2004 01:14:37 PM CST
