Humans are not always kind to one another. Unfortunately, I think a small part of that may be inherent to our species. The much greater part, however, I believe is learned behavior.
If humans learn incorrect behavior, we certainly are capable of learning correct behavior. In that spirit, the books reviewed today touch on important life lessons. Take a look for yourself. I think you’ll agree these selections are worthy of sharing with the children in your charge.
Books to borrow
The following book is available at many public libraries.
“Chicken Sunday” written and illustrated by Patricia Polacco, Philomel, 32 pages
Read aloud: age 4 and older.
Read yourself: age 7 to 8 and older.
Stewart and Winston were Patricia Polacco’s neighbors when she was a girl. Her own grandmother had died, and so the boys shared their gramma with her — Eula Mae Walker. Sometimes on Sunday they would go to church together, and on the way home they would walk past Mr. Kodinski’s hat shop so Miss Eula could admire the beautiful hats in the window. Then they’d all go back to Miss Eula’s house for fried chicken dinner.
One particular Sunday Miss Eula remarked that the Easter bonnet in Mr. Kodinski’s window was the most beautiful she’d ever seen. Immediately the children decided they must get that hat for Miss Eula. Unforeseen obstacles added to the mission of earning enough money to buy Miss Eula the hat, and through it all, the children learned valuable lessons in love, trust, and acceptance.
A true story full of richness and strength, “Chicken Sunday” is a first-rate treasure on many levels.
Librarian’s choice
Library: Marysville Branch, Sno-Isle Libraries, 6120 Grove St., Marysville
Managing librarian: Maggie Buckholz
Assistant managing librarian: Kristin Piepho
Children’s librarian: Kathy Smargiassi
Choices this week: “Because of Winn-Dixie” by Kate DiCamillo; “Love You Forever” by Robert Munsch; “Zee is Not Scared” by Michel Gay
Books to buy
The following books are available at favorite bookstores.
“The Orange Shoes” by Trinka Hakes Noble, illustrated by Doris Ettlinger, 40 pages
Read aloud: age 6 and older.
Read yourself: age 8 to 9 and older.
Delly Porter has a happy life. Delly doesn’t mind that her family is poor, for Delly’s family is full of love. But Delly needs a new pair of shoes. Soon it will be winter, and Delly won’t be able to go barefoot anymore.
One day Delly’s classmate, Prudy Winfield, makes fun of Delly’s dirty, bare feet. Delly tries to ignore her, but she is hurt. Later, when Delly finally gets her new pair of shoes, Prudy and the other girls stomp on her feet, making her new shoes filthy.
Delly takes her shoes home and comes up with an idea to fix them, and at the Shoebox Social, Delly and her family shine above everyone.
This powerful story brims with important life lessons. The prejudice and cruelty suffered by Delly is handled with love by this young heroine who makes it clear that the most precious things in life are not measured in dollars and cents.
“The Short and Incredibly Happy Life of Riley” by Colin Thompson, illustrated by Amy Lissiat, 32 pages
Read aloud: age 7 and 8 and older.
Read yourself: age 8 and 9 and older.
Riley the rat is extraordinarily happy. He’s always been that way. He has everything he needs, which isn’t much. Humans, on the other hand, are rarely happy and are always looking for more, or to be someone else, or to have what they don’t have. People ought to think and behave more like Riley, “… because realizing that rats have a better life than you do, is really, really sad.”
At once humorous and thought-provoking, Riley offers life lessons all people, young and old, should take to heart.
Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children’s literature. She can be reached via e-mail: kendal@sunlink.net.
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