From: Ginny Moore Kruse <gmkruse_at_wisc.edu>
Date: Mon, 17 May 2010 16:01:17 -0500

What an important sharing of ideas and book recommendations this topic is yielding!

I agree with Erica's comments (May 12) about In Our Mothers' House, and to a certain extent I also agree with Nel's, too (May 5). Erica pointed out that this book seems to be idealism presented as realism. I agree. Even if one is using a real family as inspiration for a picture book story, it isn't necessary to relate so much from their actual life. I remember how "perfect" this family and home seemed to be in the ways Erica pointed out, and more, as well. For example, I recall the reference to opera. Now how often does an appreciation or mention of opera appear even incidentally in a picture book? Almost never? Maybe... never? As an opera goer I was feeling personally happy to see that. At the same time I was thinking, oh oh this book had been going over the top for quite a few pages, and now this really seems like too much - at least for me. The book ended after the deaths of each mom. That seemed excessive.

One picture story with much to grasp. Too much?

Peace, Ginny

Ginny Moore Kruse gmkruse_at_wisc.edu
Received on Mon 17 May 2010 04:01:17 PM CDT