If You Come Softly by Jacqueline Woodson

Woodson, Jacqueline. If You Come Softly. New York: Puffin, 2010. ISBN: 978-0142415221.

Brief plot summary: If You Come Softly is a story about two fifteen year olds, Jeremiah (Miah) and Elisha (Ellie). Miah has a famous author as a mother and a famous film producer as a father, both of whom are African American, and are in the middle of a divorce. Ellie has a large (white) family, but is the youngest by many years, so she lives alone with her doctor father and her mother who has abandoned the family multiple times. The two teens transfer to an elite prep school in New York and fall in love quickly. Ellie, upper-middle-class-white girl, and Miah, upper-class black boy, must face some tough issues as they fight for their love.

Critical analyses:

Overall impression: Maybe a tad cheesy with the 15 year-old “perfect” love relationship, but Woodson addresses the racial issues perfectly.

If You Come Softly is rich in cultural attributes. The whole story revolves around issues of a young interracial couple. The characters of both races are authentic and not stereotyped. Miah is not the stereotypical poor, underprivileged black teenager, but rather a rich boy dealing with his parents’ divorce. Ellie is not the stereotypical white, snooty girl, but rather an upper-middle class girl who hardly gets to see her doctor father and is facing abandonment issues caused by her mother.

Woodson addresses many racial issues when telling Miah’s story. When he transferred to the prep school (white majority) the administrators placed him in remedial classes without asking or testing him. They eventually realized that he was highly intelligent and changed his schedule. He is great at basketball, so many people at the school assumed that he could only afford the tuition from a sports scholarship. The issue that really got to me was that his father emphasized to him from an early age to not run when in white neighborhoods. I find this so ridiculous, that people would assume the worst when they see a black man running, but this was (and is) reality for many African American males. Another cultural marker is that Miah was very close to his grandmother. This is common among African American families and made the story more authentic. Woodson also included multicultural characters. Ellie wasn’t just white, she was Jewish and Woodson included elements of the Jewish faith. Also, Miah’s best friend, Carlton, is half white, half black and Miah discusses this fact with him in a way that allows readers to empathize with biracial individuals. Overall, Woodson touches on some important issues that African Americans and interracial couples faced nearly 20 years ago and some that are even still true today.

Review excerpts:

“This fine author once again shows her gift for penning a novel that will ring true with young adults as it makes subtle comments on social situations.”

--School Library Journal, 1998

“As in all her fiction, Woodson confronts prejudice head-on.”

--Booklist, 1998

Connections (related books, activities, children’s responses, etc.):

Kids could talk about the differences between racial issues and interracial couples today versus the late 90s. How much has changed? What could still be better? Also, depending on age and maturity, kids could discuss the recent events/riots involving racial prejudice.

Fishing Day by Andrea Pinkney

Pinkney, Andrea Davis., and Shane Evans. Fishing Day. New York: Jump at the Sun, Hyperion Books for Children, 2003. ISBN: 978-1442440920.

Brief plot summary:

Fishing Day is a story about a young Black girl, Reenie, and her mother living in the times when segregation was still the law. They enjoy fishing together on the local river for fun. There is also a young White boy, Peter, and his father who fish on the same river, but they do it out of necessity rather than sport. Reenie and her mother keep catching fish, while Peter and his father haven’t gotten a single nibble. The two families have never talked to each other while fishing on “Jim Crow River” but this time Reenie decides to be kind and give Peter her bait and show him how to better catch fish. Peter ends up catching two fish at one time after Reenie’s help, making him and his dad very excited. Reenie’s kindness broke a barrier and created a friendship in a time when it was not accepted.     

Critical analyses:

Overall impression: Good story about treating others with kindness and empathy despite differences.

Fishing Day is rich in cultural markers. Set during the time of Jim Crow laws, the main character, Reenie, and her mother are faced with prejudice and unfairness while doing one of their favorite pastimes: fishing. The story is told from Reenie’s point of view using authentic dialogue and dialects (“Mama and me, we sure love fishing”). The exact setting is not told by the narrator, but Pinkney states in her author’s note that this story was based on her own experiences growing up in New York. Although she did not grow up when segregation was the law, she still experienced many prejudicial acts. When describing the stream, Reenie mentions that it is called “Jim Crow river” but until her mom explains the meaning, she did not seem to make the connection (“The law says black people have a place, white people have a place, and the two should steer clear of each other”). Pinkney does not explain Reenie’s financial situation, but she implies that Peter and his father are poor. This is refreshing because it goes against the white=rich, black=poor stereotype. Lastly, the illustrations by Evans do a wonderful job of expressing the deeper meaning within the story. I didn’t quite notice the purpose in doing this, so I won’t take the credit, but the Publisher’s Weekly review of Fishing Day stated that “[h]is compositions emphasize the issues of boundaries: as the Troops approach, large-scale depictions of Reenie and her mother give way to tightly, explicitly framed close-ups that literally box in the characters. And when Reenie makes her overture, she stands on the spread free of any frame, extending a hand into a framed image of Pigeon—visually demonstrating that friendship dissolves borders.” Pinkney wrote this story “[t]o show that children, if given the chance to formulate their own ideas about differences and tolerance, will often do what is right. Fishing Day comes from the belief that generosity and kindness reach beyond all boundaries.”

Review excerpts:

"A gentle tale with a big punch.”

--Kirkus, November 2003

“Strong faces are the highlight of Evans' illustrations, with backgrounds minimal and the river stylized swirls of blue; a stillness pervades the scenes, nicely corresponding to the low-key tone of Pinkney's prose.”

--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, January 2004

Connections (related books, activities, children’s responses, etc.):

Kids could discuss times when they were kind to people that weren’t kind to them. They could also discuss bullies and why people are bullies and how to respond to them. Also, an important subject to discuss would be Jim Crow laws and African American history in the United States.

Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope by Nikki Grimes

Grimes, Nikki, and Bryan Collier. Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2008. ISBN: 978-1-4169-7144-3.

Brief plot summary:

Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope is a picture biography of the United States’ 44th president. The story begins with a young boy, David, and his mother watching President Obama on the television set. David is curious about the man and why people are shouting his name, so his mother tells him Obama’s story. She begins by telling of “Barry’s” childhood, his mother “white as whipped cream” and his father “black as ink.” Barry lived in many places, beginning in Hawaii. When he was a young boy, his parents divorced and his mother remarried. As Barry grew up, he began to take an interest in helping others and to do that, he strived to get a great education. During his studies, he went out of his way to help people and bring them together. He eventually became a celebrated senator and then president of the United States. Throughout the telling of Obama’s story, David asks good questions and makes comments that tell readers how much he has in common with the president.

Critical analyses:

Overall impression: Informative and told in a unique way, making it meaningful for children.

In this picture biography, Grimes and Collier work together to create a story of hope. From the very beginning, Grimes refers to “Hope” as if personified (“One day Hope stopped by for a visit”). She tells Obama’s story from his childhood up until he is elected president, showing the struggles he faced throughout his journey and how “Hope” kept him going. Grimes uses Obama’s story to touch on some important cultural issues that children could learn from. First, she addresses Obama’s family roots. He is biracial, his mom a white native Kansan and his dad a black native Kenyan. As a young boy, he did not particularly notice this because there was so much diversity in Hawaii (kids from “Portugal, China, India, and Japan… never once did he ask if all those people could get along. They just did.”). As he grew older and saw more of the world, he began to feel out of place (“Who am I?...I don’t look like my mother. I don’t look like my father. I only look like me.”) Children of all kinds can relate to this feeling, whether they, too, are multiracial or if they are dealing with other issues such as poverty or disabilities. Grimes also addresses the issue of racial slurs (“some called him an ugly name”) but she explained how Obama rose above such things and did not give up. This is important for children to know. First, that ugly things are being said to people just for being different and, second, that they must find it in themselves to bring about change. Lastly, Grimes uses Obama’s story to emphasize the importance of education. Obama wanted to have the power to make changes in the world and to do that he knew (with the encouragement from his family) that he would need a good education. Both of his parents were highly educated (his mom had a Ph.D. and his dad nearly had one). It’s important for children to know that anything can be accomplished if they put forth the effort and learn as much as they can.   

On top of the cultural markers, Grimes lays out the story in a unique way. Rather than presenting the story to readers in a typical biography fashion, she begins the book with an African American mom and her young son, David, watching Obama on the television. The mom is the narrator of the story, telling David all about Obama and why he is successful. Throughout the story, the mom’s narration is in normal-sized print off to the side of the illustrations and David’s comments and questions are presented in small print on nearly every page as if peeking up from the bottom of the book. The illustrations are done using water colors and collage-style presentation. Collier states that this “acts as a metaphor for piecing different parts of issues together to make something new, whole, or complete.” Each illustration fills up practically the entire page and does a wonderful job of representing Obama, his family, and the settings he is placed in. If readers were to compare his illustrations with real pictures, they would notice that authenticity was obviously important to the illustrator. Not only are the facial features spot-on, the demeanor and body language of Obama is familiar to those who have watched him on television or in person.

Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope speaks volumes for children of all backgrounds.  Kids (like David) can relate to “Barry” whether they are from a broken family, biracial, or just looking for something to believe in. Obama’s story inspires “Hope” to enter each reader’s life.

Review excerpts:

"Still, of the three candidates' picture-book biographies out this season, this stands as the one most likely to communicate to children on a visceral level.”

--Kirkus, August 2008

“Grimes stirring words and Colliers watercolor-and-collage pictures convey the power of diversity to make a new whole.”

--Booklist, October 2008

Connections (related books, activities, children’s responses, etc.):

Kids could discuss the impact Obama has made on the U.S. and/or what they have in common with him (like David). Related readings could include other biographies and picture biographies on other presidents. The author and illustrator included an author’s note, and illustrator’s note, important dates, and a family tree at the end of the book that could be read and discussed with children.

I had forgotten about these until I read about it again in Multicultural Literature and Response: Affirming Diverse Voices but KWL charts would be a great addition to many multicultural books. For this particular one, children could add what they already know about Obama, then what they want to know. Then after reading the book, they could add to the “learned” section of the chart.

Mikis and the Donkey by Bibi Dumon Tak

Tak, Bibi Dumon, Philip Hopman, and Laura Watkinson. Mikis and the Donkey. Amsterdam: Eerdmans Publishing, 2011. ISBN: 978-0802854308

Brief plot summary:

This story is about a young Greek boy, Mikis, living in a small village on the island of Corfu. His grandparents give him a female donkey whom he names Tsaki. At first, she helps Mikis and his grandpa gather firewood, but Mikis notices that his grandpa treats Tsaki like she is a machine rather than a living being. Mikis cares for Tsaki very much and wants her to be treated they way she deserves to be. While walking Tsaki on her day off, Mikis notices that she is bleeding. He takes her to the village doctor, which saves her life, and Mikis’ grandpa finally realize the importance of taking good care of Tsaki. After this occurrence, the entire village starts referring to Mikis as “donkey boy” and are all supportive of his love for the donkey.

Critical analyses:

Overall impression: Short, simple, and full of heart.

This novel, illustrated by Hopman and translated by Watkinson, is a winner of the 2015 Batchelder Award (for being an outstanding work of children’s literature originally published in another language). There are a few illustrations throughout the book which are scratchy sketches. They do not contribute much to the story, but they give the reader a sense of the setting and an idea of what the characters look like.

Tak created a story that gives readers a vivid depiction of Greek island culture. The names (Mikis, Pappou, Yaya, etc.) may seem unusual to Americans, but they are commonplace in Greek families. In addition, pet/working donkeys and olive groves are not exactly a part of the typical American home either. Also, foods like wine, olives, beer, sausage, moussaka, and baklava are much more popular than in the U.S. The village setting also adds to the Greek culture. Mikis lives in a small community, so everyone knows everyone and they all follow the same traditions (the whole village is at church on Sunday and no one works on Sundays, etc.). One thing that really stuck out to me was the scene when all of the kids in Mikis’ class took turns riding on their teacher’s boyfriend’s motorcycle. If that were to happen in the U.S. in this day and age… I can’t even imagine the uproar it would cause among the parents.

Tak’s main purpose of this novel was to be a tribute to working donkeys because so many of them are overworked and mistreated. He did a wonderful job of using Mikis’ heart and empathy to show readers the importance of caring for animals properly. Donkey usage is more normal in Greek village culture, but every child can relate in some way to this heartfelt story of a boy’s love for his animal friend.

Review excerpts:

"Those children who do connect with Dumon Tak's sweet, quiet tale are likely to find it will resonate deeply.” 
--Kirkus starred review, October 2014

“This latest offering from the creators of the Batchelder winner Soldier Bear (2011) is a quiet story filled with endearing characters, believable situations, and a sense of the importance of caring for other creatures.” 
--Booklist, October 2014

Connections (related books, activities, children’s responses, etc.):

Children could compare what they learned about Greek culture to their own culture. They could discuss animal rights.

If...: A Mind-bending New Way of Looking at Big Ideas and Numbers by David J. Smith

Smith, David J., and Steve Adams. If…: A Mind-bending New Way of Looking at Big Ideas and Numbers. Tonawanda: Kids Can Press, 2014. ISBN: 978-1-894786-34-8.

Brief plot summary:
If…: A Mind-bending New Way of Looking at Big Ideas and Numbers is a nonfiction picture book that combines full page descriptive illustrations with explanations of big concepts in an analogical way. For example, “If the Sun were the size of a grapefruit, Earth would be the size of a grain of salt. Even the largest planet, Jupiter, would be only as big as a large pea.”

Critical analyses:

Overall impression: Informative, fun, and beautifully illustrated.

Smith and Adam’s creation was a 2015 winner of USBBY’s Outstanding International Book award in the grades 3-5 reading level, and for good reason. Students, particularly upper elementary, are forced to learn about these big concepts and some are just beyond true comprehension. This book does a wonderful job of simplifying these ideas and expressing them in a way that is easily understood by kids (and adults, too, to be honest). I like how the author put it in his note for parents and teachers: “Our world and our Universe are full of things that are just too big to grasp. By scaling them down, we can bring them into focus.”

Adams’ illustrations allow readers to truly visualize Smith’s text. Each two-page spread brings to life a different concept using a new color scheme through Adams’ paintings. Smith begins by stating “If…” then uses bullet points to list how the world would be. Also, for most of the concepts, Smith includes extra factual information that might interest readers.

This book is considered an international book, rather than a multicultural book, so there are no cultural markers. However, the illustrator does include both kids and adults of all different races throughout the book. The great thing about this book is that it focuses on concepts that affect everyone in the world and are factual and interesting. People of all cultures can enjoy and appreciate this one!

Review excerpts:

“If this book were a pizza, young readers would gobble down every slice—and demand more for dessert.”

--Kirkus, August 2014

“Absorbing and informative”

--Booklist, October 2014

“A solid suggestion for fact-focused young readers”

--School Library Journal, August 2014

Connections (related books, activities, children’s responses, etc.):

Conveniently, the author included a note at the end of the book that describes activities that kids can do and then he lists related books and websites. I love when authors do this. I won’t go over everything that he included, but he gave some great ideas on helping kids understand scale by using everyday objects, maps, and timelines. My idea is that kids should act out some of the analogies from the book. Of course not all of them can be done in this way, but kids could use Smith’s planet comparison to sports balls and maybe the comparison of water on Earth to glasses of water.   

Good Night, Sleep Tight by Mem Fox

Fox, Mem, and Judy Horacek. Good Night, Sleep Tight. New York: Orchard Books, 2013. ISBN: 978-0-545-53370-6.

Brief plot summary: 

Good Night, Sleep Tight is a story about two young children, Bonnie and Ben, and their favorite babysitter, "Skinny Doug." It is their bedtime, so Doug says a little rhyme to say goodnight. The children love it so Doug tells them different rhymes until they eventually go to sleep.

Critical analyses:

Overall impression: Great for reading aloud, especially right before bed.

Fox and Horacek worked together to create a wonderful story full of rhymes that every child should know. Fox’s repetitiveness and rhythm allow for easy reading and flow. Horacek matched her style by using watercolors outlined in bold, black ink. She used a variety of colors on each page, each scheme matching the tone of the scene. Also, the text was done using a handwriting-style font which added to the playfulness of the story.

A cool element of the story is that the scenes alternate. One page will show the kids and Doug in the bedroom and the next they will be in the imagined version of the nursery rhyme. For example, when Doug recites “pat-a-cake,” readers will find Doug, Bonnie, and Ben in a bakery ordering a cake marked with a ‘B’ with appropriate attire and all. Also, in about the middle of the story, Horacek creates a scene of the three characters sitting on the bedroom floor with toys all around them, some of which were a part of the previous rhymes and some that will be used to imagine the next rhymes Doug shares. It was a nice touch of foreshadowing (I wonder how many kids notice. I almost didn't.) Horacek manages to include details that kids will enjoy observing as they read or are read aloud to.

This particular Mem Fox picture book does not heavily emphasize cultural markers. However, the illustrator uses various skin tones when representing the different characters for each rhyme and Fox (seemingly ahead of the times-- it was originally published in 1988) breaks the gender stereotype by having a male babysitter. Although the main characters are white (part of the majority culture), there are many other cultures represented within the other characters. It is important to know that this book is considered international literature, not multicultural literature.  

Review excerpts:

"Sure to be requested and welcome for lapsits and reciting together any time of day.”

--Kirkus starred review, August 2013

“A fun book that will remind parents to pass along the golden oldies”

--Booklist, August 2013

“This could be a bedtime favorite, with kids chanting right along”

--Horn Book, July 2013

Connections (related books, activities, children’s responses, etc.):

Children could discuss other rhymes that they know. They could discuss gender roles (do you have babysitters? Are they always girls? Why do you think that is and should it be this way?) This book could introduce rhymes (what makes something rhyme? etc.) They could illustrate a rhyme of their choice, putting themselves in the story.