The morning my husband died of cancer at our home, the first person to arrive was the undertaker. The second was a neighbor I had never met; someone I had chided.
My neighbor’s house was in shambles, and overgrown grass and weeds were everywhere. Her children ran wild among the broken-down cars and assorted junk in their front yard. I had heard that her husband had recently been released from jail. He ran an auto-painting business out of his home and I worried he disposed of his chemicals illegally, in the ground, contaminating our shallow well and drinking water.
Not long after the hearse had pulled away, a small, gaunt woman was at my door. “I live in the house over there,” she said, pointing. “I’m sorry about your husband.” She handed me a platter covered with aluminum foil and said, “It’s a turkey, to help feed your kids.”
To this day, 12 years later, I am humbled by this woman’s generosity and ashamed of my attitude. She taught me an important lesson, and I’ll never forget it nor forget her.
Today’s reviewed books are about sharing. If we all conducted our lives like the characters in these books and like the woman who came to my home years ago, our world would be a much better place.
Books to borrow
The following book is available at many public libraries.
“The Thanksgiving Door,” written and illustrated in color by Debby Atwell, Houghton Mifflin, 2003, 32 pages, $15 hardcover
Read aloud: ages 4 and older.
Read yourself: ages 7 and older.
Ann has accidentally burned Thanksgiving dinner, so Ed suggests they go to the new restaurant down the street. Arriving at the New World Cafe, they find the door open and a large table set with Thanksgiving decorations.
When the family that owned the restaurant sees Ed and Ann, they panic. Having recently immigrated to the United States, this was to be their first Thanksgiving together. The party was to be a private celebration, and some discussed how to get rid of the unwanted customers. But Grandmother scolds them, reminding the family that in the old country they would share, and they would share here, as well.
Wonderful illustrations and a warm, energetic story combine to provide a unique twist on the meaning of Thanksgiving and sharing.
Librarian’s choice
Library: Clinton Library, 4781 Deer Lake Rd., Clinton
Library Director: Jonalyn Woolf-Ivory
Branch Manager: Debby Colfer
Choices this week: “Is Your Mama a Llama?” by Deborah Guarino, “The Patchwork Quilt” by Valerie Flournoy and “Hope Was Here” by Joan Bauer
Books to buy
The following books are available at favorite bookstores.
“Those Shoes” by Maribeth Boelts, illustrated by Noah Z. Jones, Candlewick, 2007, 32 pages, $15.99 hardcover
Read aloud: ages 7 and older.
Read yourself: age 8-9.
Jeremy wants a pair of black high-tops with two white stripes, just like the rest of the kids in school. But Jeremy’s grandmother can’t afford those sneakers because she needs to buy Jeremy new winter boots. Some of the kids at school laugh at Jeremy’s old sneakers, but not Antonio. One of Antonio’s sneakers is held together with duct tape.
When Jeremy finds the sneakers he wants at a thrift store, he buys them with his own money even though they are too small. Then, after a lot of thought, Jeremy has an idea.
A wonderful story of sharing, this important book conveys what is most important in life.
“Four Feet, Two Sandals” by Karen Lynn Williams &Khadra Mohammed, illustrated by Doug Chayka, Eerdmans, 2007, 32 pages, $17 hardcover
Read aloud: ages 7-10.
Read yourself: ages 8-10.
At the refugee camp, Lina races barefoot to where relief workers are throwing used clothing off the back of the truck. There she finds one yellow sandal with a blue flower in the middle. Suddenly, she sees another girl wearing the matching sandal. The girl looks at Lena and then hurries away. Later, when they meet again, the two arrive at a plan to share the sandals, and a friendship is born.
Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children’s literature. She can be reached via e-mail at kendal@sunlink.net.
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