There is a new children’s book, available nationwide August 1st, that describes how artists and volunteers worked to transform boarded up windows into messages of peace, hope and light.  Painting for Peace in Ferguson was written by Ferguson, Missouri native, Carol Swartout Klein.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Carol during a telephone interview last week.

“This book was a labor of love for me and I had no idea how it was going to be received.  I wanted to put out a positive message for kids.  I wanted to show them what a community looks like when we’re all working together.  I wanted to send the message that Ferguson can come out of this stronger,” said Klein.

Summary:
Written in child-friendly verse, the book focuses on the way the community came together to begin the healing process through the art of the Paint for Peace effort. Using illustration and photographs of the art and the artists and volunteers–black and white, young and old–the book is a tool for beginning the conversation with children about how we all have something to contribute to healing our communities. As the last line in the book says, “The work is not finished, there’s much more to be done. But this art shows the spirit of a new Ferguson.”

Painting for Peace in Ferguson is being used in schools, around dinner tables, and around the globe.  The book opens doors and starts positive conversation about all of the issues around race in America, not only in Ferguson, but in Baltimore, New York, Cleveland, South Carolina, and across the country.

Reflection:
The first thing that caught my eye about this book is the cover.  It’s so bright and vibrant!  Also, you notice right away the book has been recognized as the 2015 IPPY Outstanding Book of the Year from the gold sticker located at the bottom right corner.

Next, when you open up the book you then see one of my favorite quotes from Fred Rogers:  “When I was a boy and I would see scary things on the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping'”.  I repeat this quote to my own children whenever there is an unfortunate event that takes place.

The first time I read this book aloud to the kids they didn’t seem too interested.  I think this was because I took too long to read it as I was really focusing on looking at the art instead of the words.  I noticed the kids started to get antsy after about 10 minutes into story time and started doing other things.  I should have read it on my own first to admire the art before reading it to the kids – lesson learned.

The next time I read the book to the kids I read it a lot faster only pausing briefly between each page to look at the pictures.  Now whenever I read it aloud the kids are attentive.  They really seem to like the rhyming text and can even recite a few lines of the poem from memory.

What I like most about this book is the simple, yet powerful message that reminds us we all have something we can do to help.  Everyone is equipped with a different set of skills…we all have our own “paint brush”.  In good times and in bad, people of all races, ages and genders can come together to make a difference.  This message is expressed in a language that many toddlers and preschoolers can understand.

Another thing I liked about the book is that it doesn’t go into the specifics of what caused the unrest in Ferguson, but rather focuses on the way the community came together to begin the healing process through the art of the Paint for Peace initiative.

I will be honest and say I didn’t follow the events that led to the unrest that took place in Ferguson last year.  I was aware it was happening, but whenever I hear about racial tensions or devastating tragedies I am overcome with emotions and feel a sense of sadness.  Therefore, I choose not to follow stories like this in the media too closely.

Overall, I think this book would make a great addition to a children’s home library, school library and public library.  From its beautiful illustrations to the engaging and rhyming verse, I see the value of it being used as a conversation starter to talk to children about different tragedies and events that take place around the world.  Other topics that can be touched upon with this book are: art, community, hope, friendship, healing, racial harmony, inspiration and volunteering.

Your turn: Have you read this book yet? How do you talk to your children about tragic events? Do you use books like Painting for Peace in Ferguson to help start conversations with your kids? Feel free to let me know in the comments.

For more information about the Painting for Peace in Ferguson book please visit:

Painting for Peace in Ferguson Website: http://www.paintingforpeacebook.com/
Painting for Peace in Ferguson Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/paintingforpeacebook

The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi

Summary:  Unhei (pronounced Yoon-Hey) is leaving all that she knows in Korea to move to the United States.  Before she leaves, her grandmother gives her a red satin pouch with her name engraved on a stamp written in Korean.  When Unhei comes to the United States she is very anxious about starting school.  Her first interaction with the other children on the bus isn’t a good one as none of them can pronounce her name.  They start making fun of her name which makes Unhei feel terrible.

When Unhei arrives in her classroom she decides that she wants to give herself an American name.  So she tells everyone in the class she hasn’t picked a name yet so the class starts a name jar.  The jar is filled with American names that the other children in the class have suggested.  She reads many of the names, but can’t decide which name to choose.

During this time, a young boy, Joey, befriends Unhei and helps her to appreciate her name.  In the end, Unhei finally decides that she likes her name (which means grace) best of all and teaches the class about her name and how to pronounce it.  Joey truly shows great friendship throughout the story by accepting Unhei’s name and wanting a Korean name and stamp for himself.

Reflection: I really enjoyed this book and the kids did too.  I could relate to little Unhei especially since growing up my first name was almost always butchered on the first day of school by the teachers and students when trying to pronounce it.  I don’t recall anyone ever making fun of my name, they just couldn’t say it until they got used to it.

I think this is a beautifully poignant story that all children can relate to.  I found Unhei’s strength and courage at the end of this story to be very inspirational.  In addition, Yangsook Choi’s illustrations are colorful, soft, and illuminate the story.

I believe this book will help children understand how Unhei felt and could even teach them about self love and acceptance of others.  This book also introduces topics like having respect for other cultures and friendship.  Overall, I think The Name Jar is a delightful story for preschoolers and young elementary students.  Definitely a great read aloud book to read to children during the first few days/weeks of school.

Your turn:  Have you ever read this book to your little ones?  Feel free to let me know in the comments.

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt De La Pena

We received a free copy of this book back in February of this year.  I remember hearing about it from an interview on NPR radio so I was excited when there was a book reading taking place in my area.  Free copies of the book were given to all attendees so that’s how we snagged our copy of this awesome book.

Even though we received this book months ago, it wasn’t until recently that I really started reading it aloud to the kids.  Now it’s in our rotation of books we read often.  I truly love this book as it reminds me of a lot of my childhood and my Nana.

Every Sunday, CJ and his grandmother (Nana) ride the bus together, but CJ wishes they had a car instead. That is, until Nana points out why riding the bus is so much better.

As he and his Nana take the bus across town, observant little CJ is full of questions and more than a little wishful thinking asking: “Nana, how come we don’t got a car?” Nana gently chides him, really just planting seeds for how she sees the world. “Boy, what do we need a car for? We got a bus that breathes fire and old Mr. Dennis, who always has a trick for you.”

You see, it’s really how you look at the world, the magic you can see there, and the people you meet along the way. When CJ asks why a blind man on the bus can’t see, Nana tells him, “Boy, what do you know about seeing? Some people watch the world with their ears.”

Rather than telling CJ about what community means, his Nana shows him that he’s a part of it. After an event-filled bus ride, they arrive at their destination, the soup kitchen. “I’m glad we came,” CJ says looking at the familiar faces in the window of the soup kitchen where they both volunteer every Sunday.

I adore the fact that CJ’s Nana helps him see beauty in his surroundings, whether it’s on the bus or the soup kitchen they head to every Sunday afternoon. As Nana said, “Sometimes when you’re surrounded by dirt, C.J., you’re a better witness for what’s beautiful.”

In my opinion, this picture book has it all.  Wonderful descriptive writing, beautiful, rich illustrations and it’s full of abundant, child-centered details.  I love it when picture books can capture a small moment–and help us hold onto the small moments in our own lives.

This book makes me smile and think of my Nana every single time I read it–it’s so filled with love, friendship and an appreciation for life, in such a real way.  Many ideas are touched upon in this book: poverty, music, manners, volunteering, helping, caring, family and gratefulness.

I love the overall message of this book: being grateful for what you have.  Little CJ is so lucky to have a grandmother who teaches him to see things from a different perspective.  If only all children could be so fortunate to have someone like CJ’s Nana in their lives.

Want to learn more? Check out the original NPR radio interview I listened to:

NPR Interview with Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson

Your turn:  Have you read this book to your little ones before?  Feel free to let me know in the comments.