Guest Post/Review By Gail Hartman

New Shoes lets us look at a bright spot in a dark era, and
the courage and self-respect these black characters maintained for themselves.
We get only a glimpse of the character Mr. Johnson’s, the white owner of the
shoe store, fixed in time. I can imagine reading this to an older child today,
and the child asking why the characters acted the way they did. Meyer provides
an explanation in back matter. In Can I Touch Your Hair?, the black and
white characters are given time to get to know each other and change their
views. Revealing history and current events are written into a some of the
poems. What is the difference between the two time periods that shaped both of
these stories?
The teacher in me sees a
wonderful opportunity to trace the sensitive subject of race in this country’s
history through such picture books as Henry’s Freedom Box by Ellen
Levine, Pink and Say by Patricia Polacco, New Shoes, The Story
of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles, and bring it into today’s time with Can
I Touch Your Hair?.
While there are stories about
tough issues I would not write about because they are not my stories to write,
the writer in me thinks it Is not necessary to shy away from stories about
other tough issues. I need to explore them through a child’s point of view,
with experiences today’s children can relate to, and to take a long view of
history.
I’m Gail Hartman. Since
second grade, I have wanted to be a writer. As a former special education teacher, I fell in love with picture books during a children’s literature course. My published books include For Strawberry Jam or
Fireflies, For Sand Castles or Seashells, As the Crow
Flies, and As the Roadrunner Runs, all with Bradbury Press. After writing, I went
back into education as a school librarian assistant and then again as a special
education teacher, falling in love with many picture books and students along
the way. I have now retired from teaching, and I am an overjoyed grandma! I am
loving my return to reading, researching, and writing picture books. It thrills
me when someone I meet has read one of my picture books, and they tell me that
they loved it! As the Crow Flies is still in print after 27 years.
I love the idea of using a range of books to feature an issue that spans a long period of time. And your example is quite timely. Thank you for this thoughtful post! And congrats on having a written a book with staying power, no small feat!!
ReplyDeleteI also love the idea of using multiple books to get at the same (or similar) issue in different ways and across time! I'm going to have to read Can I Touch Your Hair now! Thank you for the great recommendation!
ReplyDeleteA timeline of history through picture books - such a great idea!
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ReplyDeleteWonderful references. Looking forward to reading your books.
ReplyDeleteI love the pairing of these two picture books & the suggestion of reading a timeline of picture books to explore difficult issues, like race.
ReplyDeleteWe need these books, don't we? Great resources and discussion starting points. Thanks and congratulations!!!
ReplyDeleteHow great it is to read your timely post and see your smiling face here, Gail!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gail, for this inspiring post.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice, share stories about tough topics from the child's point of view. You shared excellent mentor texts. Thanks Gail!
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