Children's Books discussion

THE WINNERS ARE:
Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.(ages 4-8)

Virgie Goes to School with Us Boys (ages 4-8)

Full, Full, Full of Love (ages 4-8)

Henry's Freedom Box (ages 4-8)

Yours for Justice, Ida B. Wells: The Daring Life of a Crusading Journalist (ages 8-10)

ALTERNATE TITLE:
Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom(ages 8-10)

The votes were cast in such a way that I really had to do very little decision making with the ties to get a good variety of subjects; you see we have some biographies and historical fiction (ranging in time periods) and a very sweet work of contemporary fiction, too. The list also includes some notable and award-winning African American authors and illustrators. This looks like a wonderful way to begin a celebration of Black History Month! I hope you can all find the books easily and look forward to beginning the discussion come February.

Our library has three of the books and I actually have my own copy of Virgie Goes to School with Us Boys. I have requested Yours for Justice, Ida B. Wells: The Daring Life of a Crusading Journalist and Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom through ILL, so I hope that they will arrive early enough to be able to participate. A great list, looking forward to the discussion.

Hooray! Looks like I will be able to get all of them except Full, Full, Full of Love and I can get the alternate title instead (though I do think "Full" looks wonderful *sigh*)

Kathryn wrote: "Hooray! Looks like I will be able to get all of them except Full, Full, Full of Love and I can get the alternate title instead (though I do think "Full" looks wonderful *sigh*)"

I have it out from the library at present it looks wonderful.

Looks great! I've read and loved 2 of these (Ida B. Wells & Virgie) and as soon as I get home I'll try to reserve the other 4 at the library. I'm especially excited to read Martin's Big Words and eager to read them all.

Oh, I'm thrilled! My library has all of them. I just reserved 3 of the 4 that I haven't yet read, and tomorrow, when I free up some spaces by borrowing more books, I'll reserve the 4th one.

I know that it's 5 books and an alternate but for me it's 6 books (if possible.) I'm a "Picture Books Club completist" I guess. ;-)

Lisa wrote: "I know that it's 5 books and an alternate but for me it's 6 books (if possible.) I'm a "Picture Books Club completist" I guess. ;-) "

Haha, me, too! ;-) And, yay re: getting all of them for February!!!

Every one of these books is wonderful!

These look great! I look forward to reading them!

I just ordered Full, Full, Full of Love and Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

We own Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom but unfortunately it is in the U.S.

I'm so excited about this month's books, as usual! The first one I read is Yours for Justice, Ida B. Wells: The Daring Life of a Crusading Journalist. Ida is certainly a most inspiring individual and I think her accomplishments would be remarkable and admirable for anyone, but the fact she was able to pursue her passion, utilize her intelligence, and make such a difference in social causes is all the more outstanding given that she was an African-American and a female at a time when neither were given many rights or much respect. I'd be especially interested to learn more about her early years and the influence of her parents--and did any of the other Wells children do anything in the way of the civil rights movement given Ida's influence over them.

I very much admire the work Ida did and I was so eager to read this book and perhaps my expectations were too high because it fell a little flat for me. Despite the rich subject matter and the very poignant issues addressed, I didn't find myself particularly moved or inspired by the way the story was told. (That said, Ida herself is a very inspiring figure!) Just compared to some of the other picture book biographies I've read, I didn't feel the personal aspect to this so much--it seemed a bit more detached rather than bringing Ida to life. Also, while I loved some of the artwork (such as the cover image), some of it was just a little dark for my taste (such as the wealthy white businessman on one side of the scale of justice, and the skulls of blacks on the other scale). Then again, some of it was just wonderfully creative in the way it portrayed the issues Ida was facing (like the oppressive white hand pushing down on the African-American individual).

I do want to caution parents in this group who are reading this to their children: I have seen it listed some places as suitable for ages 4-8 and others as grades 2-4 and I do think the latter is more suitable. Not only for the length but also the issues addressed. This goes much deeper than just "whites were mean and unfair to blacks" and deals with the subject of lynching--not graphically, but enough that curious young minds will probably ask what lynching is I would just caution to consider your children's sensitivity level and readiness for the issue before you read the book.

Has anyone here read other picture books about Ida? I know there were a few listed in the very nice Bibliography in the back of this book. Unfortunately, my library doesn't have any of them but I'd be curious to know how they compare if others have/do read them.

Oooh, thanks for sharing your education with us, Abigail! I will be especially eager to know what you think of Dray's picture book. I do think he's a good writer, and clearly passionate about the subject, but for some reason it just wasn't one of those wow, five-star books for me. Maybe others here will feel different and I do hope everyone can get a copy as it's such an important read!

It was a 5-star book for me, probably because I love Ida B. Wells-Barnett so much and I think that the book is a great introduction to her life. I agree wholeheartedly with what you said about the age group for this book, Kathryn. This is not a book for a preschooler! I read it to my grandson's class when they were in 2nd grade, and I think that that is the earliest age for this book. It is sometimes dark - how can you talk about lynching without darkness? - but what the boys took away from it was the idea of fighting violence with courage, intelligence, and the power of the written word. I told the boys that, if I had been alive at the time, Ida B. is someone that I would have loved to have for a friend, and they had a good giggle imagining me in the book with Ida B.!

In general when discussing the terrible things that happened to African Americans in the past, I look for books that show how empowering it is to fight for what is right - that these people were not victims, but heroes. I loved this book for bringing out Ida B.'s heroism so beautifully.

Wilhelmina wrote: "It is sometimes dark - how can you talk about lynching without darkness? - but what the boys took away from it was the idea of fighting violence with courage, intelligence, and the power of the written word. I told the boys that, if I had been alive at the time, Ida B. is someone that I would have loved to have for a friend, and they had a good giggle imagining me in the book with Ida B.!

In general when discussing the terrible things that happened to African Americans in the past, I look for books that show how empowering it is to fight for what is right - that these people were not victims, but heroes. I loved this book for bringing out Ida B.'s heroism so beautifully."

What a lovely post, Wilhelmina! Thank you so much. I agree that showing the empowerment is so important, especially for children. And thank you for sharing your experiences with introducing this book, and the subject, to young people. I think Ida B. would have been a remarkable friend, too! ;-)

I am so overwhelmed but this will be a fun project for me.

I have at home as of today, but not yet read: Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Full, Full, Full of Love, Henry's Freedom Box, and Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom. I hope to read them within the week, hopefully within a couple of days.

I'd already read Yours for Justice, Ida B. Wells: The Daring Life of a Crusading Journalist and really enjoyed it:

This is a very interesting biography of Ida B. Wells-Barnett. I think kids, especially those interested in history or human rights, will like and learn from this picture book biography. I know that I learned quite a bit about this incredibly inspiring woman. Every time I thought I was touched (when she took over raising her younger siblings) or whenever I was impressed (when she refused to move to another seat on the train, when she spoke up and wrote, when she found a way to support herself as a journalist) there was more, and then there was even more about her I found to admire. She was an extraordinarily brave and bright woman.

This book not only doesn’t shy away from difficult subjects such as lynching: it highlights them. I approve, given who is the subject of this biography.

I love the afterword, which includes photos and more information and a timeline that includes both events in Ida’s life and in the history of slavery and the civil rights movement. It includes sections about both Ida and about lynching.

I must admit I was surprised by how few lynchings there actually were, especially after the Great Depression. Even one was obviously too many, but I thought that particular atrocity was even more prevalent than it was.

There’s also awonderful (though not that long) bibliography that lists books for different age groups: 4-8, 9-12, and 13 and up.

The title comes from Ida’s signature: Yours for Justice, Ida B. Wells. Given what this woman worked for and accomplished (for women’s rights as well as the rights of African-Americans) this was a fitting signature.

I appreciate that Ida’s story shows how one person really can make a difference, and I think this book does a superb job of showing how the human rights that Ida fought for, often very successfully, was not done by her alone, but shows that many people worked and fought for what was right.

There’s a note in the back of the book that gives the page numbers where quotes appear that are taken directly from Ida B. Wells-Barnett’s writings.

This book doesn’t dumb anything down and I think it’s partly because this author wrote a book about lynching for adults, which is how he got to know about this woman, probably because of the anti-lynching work she did after her friend was lynched. This is his first children’s book.

I thought the illustrations fit the story very well. There are a lot of them and they take up a great deal of room on the pages, yet there’s a lot of text too.

I recently read Virgie Goes to School with Us Boys, a book I found because of this group. loved it:

This is a wonderful historical fiction story about an African-American family of children, 4 boys and finally 1 girl, who have to put in a lot of dedication to go to school. Because these people (names are intact) are based on ancestors of the author, I was tempted to put it on my biography and history shelves, but I can tell from the stellar author’s note at the end of the book that she took quite a bit of artistic license, so historical-fiction is where it belongs.

Virgie begs to go to school with her older brothers and her parents finally agree that schooling is for all who are free. The children have to walk 7 miles through difficult terrain to reach their school and then they stay for the whole school week. The school is based on a Quaker school that was formed for the purpose of educating ex-slaves.

Virgie’s hunger for learning and books is very laudable. Today’s children, who might take their education for granted or who are not fond of school, might be impressed with what the kids in this book have to go through to get an education.

The illustrations are wonderful. They’re very evocative of that time and place and circumstance, and the colors are gorgeous, and I find the artistic style very aesthetically pleasing.

The end of the book author’s note “Learning to Be Free” gives information about the actual school, the family members, and just a bit of history about slavery and literacy, and also she recounts the research she did and how she decided to write this book. There is one possibly sad thing revealed about one of the main characters.

I was very touched by Virgie and her family and by the (brief appearance of) Quaker schoolmaster.

Can't wait to read the 4 I have at home.

Just read Full, Full, Full of Love.

I liked it. It was more generic than I'd expected from this month's them. It's a sweet story about a loving family, and race is incidental here. But that’s fine, and it was a refreshing choice. (Yes, the warm extended family & some of the food choices have some roots in parts of African-American culture, but they're not different from those in many other cultures.)

It’s a great read aloud book, including for the youngest children, up through age 8, because of the repetition and the cadence and rhythm, and the simplicity of the story.

The food (even though most of it wasn’t vegan) made me quite hungry. And I enjoyed all the illustrations: fun details, colorful, comforting.

Oh, and I appreciated the gentle humor too.

I am curious to hear your thoughts about what ages you would share these stories and the subjects of slavery, lynching, etc. with children. I have only read one book so far (Martin's Big Words-wonderful!). I read through the other books very quickly because my 6-year-old son was interested in reading them. I let my son read three of the books -- Martin's Big Words, Virgie Goes to School, and Moses -- and not Yours for Justice or Henry's Freedom Box. I made a very quick decision about which books to let him read.

Lisa wrote: "Just read Full, Full, Full of Love.

I liked it. It was more generic than I'd expected from this month's them. It's a sweet story about a loving family, and race is incidental here. ..."

This is the one that I'm not able to get :-( I'm glad that it proved enjoyable and a refreshing change from many of the more heavy subjects of this month's theme, though. It sounds great! I think it's wonderful to that one of our books this month shows a contemporary African-American family enjoying a happy life. Especially when we read about those, like Ida Wells, who fought so hard for them to be able to enjoy this good life today.

Amy wrote: "I am curious to hear your thoughts about what ages you would share these stories and the subjects of slavery, lynching, etc. with children. I have only read one book so far (Martin's Big Words-wond..."

Thanks for sharing, Amy! I haven't read the other books yet but always appreciate the insights from those who have read them and what the experiences are in sharing these with children. Even though some of these might be appropriate in terms of reading level/comprehension for younger children, I think with subjects like this it is wise to preview, as you did, to make sure the subject matter is something appropriate for a given child as their readiness to be introduced to these issues varies. Sounds like your son is lucky to have a sensitive and thoughtful mother! ;-) And that's great that he is interested in these books at such a young age. Good for him!

Kathryn wrote: "Lisa wrote: I think it's wonderful to that one of our books this month shows a contemporary African-American family enjoying a happy life. Especially when we read about those, like Ida Wells, who fought so hard for them to be able to enjoy this good life today."

Yes, I thought about that too, and agree.

I am a bit conflicted about this months selections. I have learned a good lesson, preview the books before I read them with my son who is 4 years old.
I read a few titles that were not selected , like Rosa which was not selected.

My son has studied MLK Jr. He knows the story. When we got to the part in the book about him being killed, my son asked to see the page. It just said "he died". So of course my son pointed out that was not happened and asked me why they said that. So now I am even more mixed... I was not sure how to answer him, so I said that maybe the author didn't want to talk about what happened to him and maybe there were younger kids that were going to read this book and they didn't want to say those bad things.

We also read full, full love. Which we really liked. I agree with others it was great to see the importance of family and coming together. It was written very simple.

Leslie, I haven't read the MLK, Jr. book yet. Oh, but even without reading it, I'm opposed to the book just saying he died. Though he's defined by his life, not his death, the manner of his death is an important part of his story, and of the civil rights movement to which he contributed. That's a shame? What age group is the book for? Maybe if it was for 3-6 year olds????

I just read Henry's Freedom Box. Loved it! Until I read it I'd just assumed it was a historical fiction story. I didn't know Henry was a real person and that this is basically a biography, which incorporates information about slavery and about the Underground Railroad.

I'd say this is definitely for school aged children. While it's very uplifting, there are sure a lot of horrific things described. Ditto for recommending that it be read aloud, so that kids will have a forum for discussing what comes up for them.

I think that book did a magnificent job of describing horrific events in a way suitable for children, even though there are going to be many highly perturbed readers/listeners, as they should be. Not for the faint hearted, even though it's a picture book.

How Henry tolerated his burn and the shipping box, and the loss of loved ones (I’m still broken hearted over that!) makes for an amazing story.

I love how both the story itself and the author's note manage to convey so much about the inhumanity of slavery. Henry’s brilliant and brave choice is very inspiring and it and the resolution kept the book from being too overly disturbing for me. I was pleased to see that a white doctor who didn't believe in slavery helped Henry escape and provided him with his destination, and that he was greeted in Pennsylvania by men both white & black.

I can understand why this book is a Caldecott Honor book. I really enjoyed the illustrations.

Lisa wrote: "Leslie, I haven't read the MLK, Jr. book yet. Oh, but even without reading it, I'm opposed to the book just saying he died. Though he's defined by his life, not his death, the manner of his death i..."

Lisa, I have the Martin Luther King Jr. book in front of me. I have not read it yet (just picked it up today), but I turned to the page that Leslie mentioned. And, while Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination is not dealt with in great detail, it does mention that April 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. went to Memphis, Tennessee to help striking garbage collectors and was shot. It certainly does not simply say that he died, but also that he was assassinated, that he was shot.

Thanks, Gundula. Good to know. I have the book at home too but haven't looked at it yet. Saying he was shot will probably satisfy me. It's a tough subject, especially if younger kids are introduced to what happened.

Lisa- I am a little unclear, I have returned the book back to the library?. Does it say they he died, even after describing he was shot?

I am not sure that this is something my son and I want to discuss, I was sad when he knew about this in school. I want for my son to celebrate his life and not have him thinking about his assassination, maybe I should have not read these books when he is so young. I feel that he has a life time to worry about these things, not when he is 4 years old. This is the same reason I don't let him watch certain TV/movies.

Just my thoughts...

Leslie, I haven't read it yet so I don't know what it says. You might want to screen it first. I wouldn't read books such as this to too young children. There are plenty of people who contributed to civil rights who are alive and well, including some who were children. You might want to start with books about people who were not assassinated. If you son is particularly interested in MLK, Jr. I'd be prepared for questions that might force you to either reveal what happened to him or lie.

I haven't read the MLK book yet but hope to get to it tonight, especially since I am intrigued by the discussion!

I have read Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and I loved this book!!! It was so emotional and the illustrations were just so beautiful!!! I love learning about MLK because he made such a huge difference in our society and it was a shame about what happened to him.

I really loved Virgie Goes to School with Us Boys, both the story and the illustrations are simply spectacular. I agree with Abigail that Virgie's determination to get an education was really inspiring. This is another book that truly shows how fortunate most children in present-day North America and Europe are, how education is taken for granted today and how it is often not seen as the great gift, the great boon it is (a good book to share with children who might not like going to school, to teach them about the importance of education, that education means liberty and independence).

I am going to go just a wee bit off topic here (or rather, I am going to expand the topic slightly). I have noticed that in many books (both picture books and longer children's novels) that feature girls wanting to attend school in the 19th and early 20th century, that while the girl(s) might wish to attend school, they generally are only allowed or able to attend school or college if their wishes are accepted and condoned by male individuals (fathers, grandfathers, brothers etc.).

In many ways it seems that a girl wanting an education is acceptable, but it can only become completely acceptable and can only be accomplished if/when their wish, their desire for education is in a way sanctified by a male individual. Now, some of that is, of course, historically accurate, because in many cases, a girl, a woman could only go to school, to college if her desire was indeed acceptable to the head of the household (usually the father) or to local or not so local authorities, which at that time were generally male individuals.

However, there is also a tendency for the mother to be sometimes absent and at times even opposed to her daughters becoming educated (in many German school stories I read, the father would be pro education for his daughters, while the mother wants the daughters to concentrate on their "womanly" duties).

And, this is even a bit apparent in Virgie Goes to School with Us Boys. Although it is Virgie who wants to go to school, it is her brother C.C. and then, finally, her father, who decide that she should go to school with the boys. Virgie's mother is not shown all that much and remains basically silent concerning her daughter's wish for an education, her attitudes concerning Virgie going to school are not really portrayed and described. This is not to be considered to be a criticism of the book, it is simply an observation regarding both recent historical school stories, as well as school stories written in the 19th and 20th centuries, that who was able to go to school, to university was often determined by men, by the powers of our patriarchal societal structures.

Chandra, this idea is still fermenting (in a very infantile way) in my brain, and I don't think there is an easy answer, but probably multiple reasons, multiple things to consider. As you have already stated, historically, many mothers would have found it hard and frightening to contemplate their daughters wanting something so completely different from their own experiences. Also, some mothers would have feared that their daughters pursuing an education would not necessarily provide them with an income, employment etc. (they were likely aware of the fact that educated women were not always accepted by society and probably felt that this might diminish their daughters' marriage prospects).

None of that is really included or alluded to in Virgie Goes to School with Us Boys. I just found it intriguing that while the desire for an education comes from Virgie herself, the permission to attend school comes from the father and to a certain extent, the brothers. Virgie's mother does not appear that much in the picture book or say anything, she is mentioned at the end of the book when the children express hope that they will be able to share their educational experiences with both their Mama and their Papa (although Virgies father does say that he speaks for both himself and the mother, so the decision is at least based on both the mother's and the father's wishes, which I liked). It's a wonderful story, I hope you and your daughter get a chance to read it, very inspiring and really shows how education is freedom and freedom is education.

Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is, imo, a frustrating book. It really has to be shared with children in a rich context - there's so much that children won't understand without discussions and other sources. It's a beautiful sampling of the MLK story.

And by children I don't know what age group. I don't know if I'd share it with preschoolers - probably not. I would use some of the books in the bibliography, and others, including My Brother Martin: A Sister Remembers Growing Up with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr..

I've only glances at Martin's Big Words. I looked before reading because of the discussion about mention or lack of re his assassination. In the book proper it does say that he was shot and killed (but not really why) and in the back there's a timeline and his assassination is one of the dates given. I'll read it and the Moses book by the end of the weekend, hopefully by Friday.

I've placed holds on a few of these titles at my library and I'll be reading them with my 3.5 year old. I'm really looking forward to the conversation with him as well as sharing our thoughts here.

I started this month’s selection of reads with Full, Full, Full of Love. Great selection by the way everyone! I started with this book because well, I wanted to read something about love. The cover was so inviting! Kaylee and I read this together. It is a great read out loud book. We read it while we were waiting to go to my mom’s house for dinner. Kaylee and I were both hungry. She paid attention to the whole book and really liked the page with the fish tank. I really liked the page with the close-up of all the food. =) By the end of the book, we were both ready to eat!

The illustrations were colorful and appealing to both Kaylee and I. I did feel the book lacked something for this month’s reads. Like Lisa said, race is incidental in this story.

I did enjoy seeing the close knit family. It reminded me of my mother’s house and how we all gather there for meals and family time often.

When Jay Jay kept saying he was hungry, all I could think about is most grandmothers I know would be giving their “baby” a snack if they had to wait that long.

I can't wait to read the other selections and enjoyed reading what all of you had to say so far. You make me want to read them all right now. But, laundry awaits and tons of it!

Chandra wrote: "I've talked with my daughter about MLK and his assassination. We've talked about others who were assassinated as well (JFK, etc.). I think the concept is so alien to her that it's almost not 'rea..."

I think that is wonderful that you have discussions like that with your daughter. I also agree that does say quite a bit about MLK!

Chandra wrote: "I think the concept is so alien to her that it's almost not 'real' to her and, therefore, doesn't seem to bother her (yet). "

That's one reason I usually don't worry too much about introducing books to children. What might be "too much" for them, they're not likely to "get" if it's a bit too "old" for them.

I agree with Crystal, Chandra, that it's wonderful you're having conversations about these types of subjects/people.

I hope to get to this book tomorrow or Friday. My guess is it will inspire me to want to read other books about Martin Luther King Jr..

My favorite place in downtown San Francisco (I'm not a big fan of the downtown area) is a lovely area called Yerba Buena Gardens. One thing there is a wonderful fountain you can walk behind, and on the back walls are quotes from MLK, Jr. Everybody seems to enjoy the quotes and the fountain; beautiful and inspiring. Kids love it for both the opportunity to play there and for King's words and their meaning.

Lisa wrote: "Chandra wrote: "I think the concept is so alien to her that it's almost not 'real' to her and, therefore, doesn't seem to bother her (yet). "

That's one reason I usually don't worry too much about..."

Sounds like a wonderful place! Next time I am in the area, I will have to take Kaylee there to play. I would love to see it.

Okay, now I am really going to go do laundry. =)

Chandra wrote: "Is anyone else planning on reading the alternate title?"

I am planning on reading Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom, but I had to get it through ILL, and I just picked it up. Once I read it, I'll be ready to discuss.

Chandra wrote: "Is anyone else planning on reading the alternate title?"

Yes. I have it at home with the MLK, Jr. book. I've already read the other 4. I'll have these last two read by the end of this weekend.

Cheryl wrote: "Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is, imo, a frustrating book. It really has to be shared with children in a rich context - there's so much that children won't understand without discussions and other sources. It's a beautiful sampling of the MLK story.

Read this one last night so I could start contributing to the discussion here :-)

Like Cheryl, I found Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. both beautiful and frustrating. On the one hand, I loved how the author incorporated MLK's "big words" into the story--most pages including actual quotes; but at the same time sometimes it felt a bit disjointed narrative-wise. Also, I agree that there is a LOT left out. On the one hand, I appreciate the fact that this is suitable for younger children and it doesn't get really heavy/graphic regarding the issues. Yet, on the other hand, I felt that it lacked a bit of resonance and power in the telling because so much was left out. As Leslie noted, the assassination aspect was really downplayed and, though it is clear that "he was shot" and "he died" it did seem a bit lacking and abrupt. That said, I thought the ending was really beautiful and strong, saying that his "big words" are left for all of us. In a subtle way, I think this shows that we are left with the opportunity and power to continue making his dream a reality, and that even though MLK himself was killed, the ideals he stood for endure.

As for the artwork, I thought some of it was absolutely gorgeous and so powerful. Did you notice the words in the upper windows of the buses--they spell out messages and I think that is so subtle yet I just loved it! I also thought some of the depictions of MLK were excellent (like the cover art) but a few times I thought he looked a bit stern in comparison to the way the text was portraying him. Still, overall I liked the artwork and appreciated the illustrator's notes. The idea of incorporating stained glass is lovely and also the symbolism, such as the four candles representing the school girls killed in the bombing and how their light shines on. Wonderful!

So, all in all, a very worthy introduction to MLK, in my opinion, especially for younger children--but it really only scratches the surface and I'd be curious to read more picture book biographies on MLK as a comparison.

Chandra wrote: "Is anyone else planning on reading the alternate title?"

Yes! :-) I have it out from the library now. I just love the cover art. Eager to read it and respond.

ETA: I just realized the illustrator is the same one who illustrated Henry's Freedom Box! I am now extra-excited! Those who enjoy his work might like to check out this list:
http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/34...

I am placing Ellington Was Not a Street on hold at my library today!

Lisa wrote: "My favorite place in downtown San Francisco (I'm not a big fan of the downtown area) is a lovely area called Yerba Buena Gardens. One thing there is a wonderful fountain you can walk behind, and on the back walls are quotes from MLK, Jr. Everybody seems to enjoy the quotes and the fountain; beautiful and inspiring. Kids love it for both the opportunity to play there and for King's words and their meaning."

Oh, that sounds wonderful, Lisa! I've never been there but would like to someday I'm in SF again.

I also have Virgie Goes to School with Us Boys out from the library and am eager to read it, especially seeing there is a discussion going here already. I'm waiting to read those posts until I read the book but am eager to participate in the discussion when I do! :-)

I also read Henry's Freedom Box last night. Like Lisa already stated so beautifully, I thought it was excellent! I love that it conveyed the issues and emotions so poignantly and powerfully without being too graphic or bogged down. I just felt so in-tune with what Henry was going through--I mean, obviously I have no idea what it must have really been like, but kudos to the author and illustrator for making me feel like I was "there" and that my heart had been on a remarkable journey in just these few short pages. I also appreciate that "good" white people were shown, helping on the Underground Railroad, and I loved Henry's ingenuity and bravery in mailing himself to freedom. And the complexities of the slave owners were also hinted at--such as how the one was a "good master" but not good enough to free his slaves upon his death; and how Henry's family was allowed to stay together (a "nice" thing in the time) until there were hard times on the plantation and the owner had to sell them. Not that I am making any excuses for the slave owners, but I just appreciated the book showing these nuances so subtly and in a seamless flow with the narrative. And the illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and so heartfelt. Anyway, a five star book for me! (I do think it could be read to younger children because it is more gentle than a lot of picture books about slavery; but at the same time some children could be very upset at the idea of a family being torn apart. I think it's so haunting! And the scene where Henry burns his own hand so he has an excuse to stay home one day is heart-wrenching!)

Chandra wrote: "Just read the MLK book (Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.) and I *really* liked it!! I think it's a beautiful book and was so thrilled by my daughter's reac..."

Yay! I'm so happy you and Izzy both loved this one.

I just read Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom this morning and I was deeply touched by it. Funny, because as it was going along, I appreciated the narrative (and the remarkable illustrations that have already been so admired, both by our group members and the Caldecott committee!) but I wasn't sure it would be a five-star sort of book for me. Yet, but the end, I was very moved and I felt everything came together just beautifully.

I wasn't particularly surprised by the spiritual nature of the text. For me, the cover illustration seemed very spiritual and the title hints at the nature, too. I actually really loved the approach the author chose to take in showing Harriet's spiritual journey. Since Tubman was deeply religious, I think it makes sense that there is a book out there highlighting her spiritual side, the inward journey and inspiration that led her to do so many remarkable things outwardly. I've read about Tubman before, but I am always so inspired and impressed by her courage in returning to the South so many times; while it is understandable that she would want to save her family, the fact she returned again and again to help other slaves is truly great. I appreciated that the author's note showed how Harriet had been so brave, intelligent and firm in her sense of what was right, even from a young age such as when she helped another slave or when she hid in order to escape a whipping. Anyway, I am so glad I read this "alternate" title! :-)

In reading these books, I can't help but want to read picture book about the Underground Railroad from the perspective of some of the white conductors and others who helped the slaves escape freedom. I imagine there are some out there, but they don't seem as prevalent. It is so difficult to believe something when all those around you say it is wrong--even more challenging to act upon that and put oneself at risk. I think those people were so courageous and inspiring in their own right and I'd love to read more about that. I read
The Drinking Gourd: A Story of the Underground Railroad when I was a kid and it made a deep impression on me.

Chandra wrote: "I'm wondering how likely the book will be used in classrooms - given that it's almost entirely a dialogue with God."

Good point. I'm not sure... In a way, Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom is a biography so I'm not sure there could be a problem with showing it (it is all from Harriet's perspective, her views about God--not trying to preach that anyone else believe it) Indeed, in the MLK book he is Rev. King, preaching (obviously believing in God) and is surrounded by stained glass windows evocative of Jesus (as the illustrator himself notes in his introduction).

Any teachers here have ideas on whether/how they would use the Harriet Tubman book in their classroom?

Kathryn wrote: "Chandra wrote: "I'm wondering how likely the book will be used in classrooms - given that it's almost entirely a dialogue with God."

Good point. I'm not sure... In a way, [book:Moses: When Harrie..."

I'm not a teacher, but I think both of these books could be used in a classroom, if general spirituality, general religiosity was emphasised, and not that MLK and Harriet Tubman were specifically Christian. If religion and freedom in general, and not organised religion and/or the "superiority" of one religion over another, were used as a theme, the books could definitely work, even in a secular classroom with multiple religions and cultures.

We just read another book from someone. It is Bigmama, it was a really great book. It showed kids going to their Bigmama's house for the summer.

Both my son and I really enjoyed it. It was similiar to full, full love.

It showed hoe important familiy was.

Thanks for a great month of books and a good discussion.