Not One Damsel in Distress; World Folktales for Strong Girls by Jane Yolen Illustrated by Susan Guevara
A collection of folktales with strong female protagonists, and not even all of them with the goal of marriage being the pinnacle of her achievements!
When the Moon is Full; A Lunar Year by Penny Pollack Illustrated by Mary Azarian
A "go-to" favorite in my house for verse and beautiful woodblock illustrations that talk about the meanings of each full moon. I like how it connects us to the seasonal changes and the moon cycles and helps us talk about this connectedness with our kids.
Hush Little Baby by Sylvia Long
A beautifully rewritten version of the classic lullaby. I always hated how the parent in this song was going to keep buying things for the baby until the baby was happy, and that is exactly how the author felt as well. In her own words, "It seems much healthier to encourage children to find comfort in the natural things around them and the warmth of a mother's love."
I also like that in the story the characters are drawn as rabbits, which I think is a nice tool of children's books to make the story more universal. I think it is easier for a child to be able see themselves in a character that is already entrenched in fantasy, and not, appearance wise at least, representing a specific culture.
We Were Tired of Living in a House byLiesel Moak Skorpen Illustrated by Doris Burn
The story of a group of children who leave home to try living in, among other things, a tree, a boat and a cave. In the end, they decide to return home to the joyful arms of their parents.
What I like about this book is the autonomy of the kids. They are seeking adventure, and are off exploring the world. They play at many different ways they could live, and explore their identities, all the while functioning as a supportive collective.
The thing I dislike about this book is that being written in 1969, it shows some pretty stereotypical gender images in the artwork. The little girls engage in their adventures, all the while wearing frilly party dresses, and serving tea.
This Land is Your Land by Woody Guthrie Illustrated by Kathy Jakobsen
The music of Woody Guthrie is an important part of the radial leftist history of the United States. His songs gave voice to many poor and working class folks, including many struggling for social change.
I also acknowledge that it is a strange song in a way. While trying to be a rallying cry for the reclamation of the country for the people, and from those with the wealth and power, it is hard not to think about it in the context of indigenous rights. This land is actually NOT our land, when it comes down to it. And though I love the message of anti-authoritarianism and collective utilization of resources, the reality is that we do not live here, and never have lived here, in harmony with our surroundings, or the people whose ancestors lived on this land for thousands of years.
What I do like about this book is the inclusion of the lesser known verses that address poverty, and land ownership. You don't normally hear these verses in the school chorus, and I think that they are really the most moving of all.
Just Like Me; Stories and Self- Portraits by Fourteen Artists ed. by Harriet Rohmer
Not a story, as such, but a collection of self portraits and autobiographical notes from some wonderful artists. They each talk about their identity, making art, their childhoods and what inspires them. The paintings are beautiful and I think is a great conversation starter about identity. The artists are from many different cultural backgrounds and I love how it shows how the identity of "artist" isn't relegated to any specific race or gender or background.
No comments:
Post a Comment