Author: Isabell Monk
Illustrator: Janice Lee Porter
Publisher: Carolrhoda Books, Inc, October
2004
Suitable for: 4 and up
Themes/Topics: Acceptance, Tolerance,
Bi-racial identity, Bi-racial culture and heritage
Opening:
Every summer I spend at least one weekend in the country
with my mama’s aunt Poogee. The instant I step out of our car, Aunt Poogee
scoops me up in her arms and says, “Mmmm, I could just eat you up.” I think aunt
Poogee holds all the love in the world inside her and lets it out bit by bit
through the twinkle in her eyes.
Book Summary:
During a visit to her great-aunt’s in the country, Hope
learns the story behind her name and learns to feel proud of her biracial
heritage.
Resources:
Lesson plan for Cultural Identity. Suggested activities:
Create a family tree
Research family member
Interview the eldest member of your family
Research the meaning and origin of your name and other
family members names
Why I like this book:
Identity is a big issue for children of bi-racial heritage
and Isabell Monk does a wonderful job showing through Hope’s story that every
child is special and should be proud of their mixed heritage. I was a child of
mixed heritage, African American and Ethiopian and both are rich and beautiful.
Growing up my mom made sure I loved and respected both. I believe every child of
mixed cultures can relate to Hope and probably have gone through some of the
problems that society creates for people of mixed cultures and heritage. This is
the perfect book for children to learn they are wonderful, they are beautiful
and they have every right to be proud of who they are! And in a way, children of
non-mixed races learn a great deal of understanding, tolerance and an
appreciation of children of mixed races.
Find a comprehensive list of picture books with resources
at Susanna L Hill's blog.
No comments:
Post a Comment