Windows and Mirrors
I've often heard folks in the children's literature world discuss books as both mirrors and windows. Children should see themselves in books (mirrors) and they should get to know the experiences of others (windows). I don't think there is debate as to the value of both these experiences. My favorite books fall into both categories. I AM Opal in Because of Winn Dixie. I am not any character in Gabriel García Márquez's books but man I wish I were. I hope you have also fallen in love with books that offer you both mirrors and windows.
The books I'm posting about today are those kinds of books. If you see yourself in these books, chances are you are not often represented in a book. Or at least not until recently. The diverse books movement in children's literature has brought a lot more mirrors for kids. And if you don't see yourself in these books, chances are you haven't often had these windows to look through. Whichever perspective you are taking, I know you will love these and your kids will too.
Tell Me a Tattoo Story by Alison McGhee, illustrated by Eliza Wheeler
This story is definitely a mirror for the SO (significant other) and I. We are both well-tattooed people. I was really excited to get my hands on this with the added bonus that I adored McGhee's collaboration with Kate DiCamillo in the Bink & Gollie series. The premise is sweet - a small child is asking his dad to tell the story of each tattoo. Each tattoo is meaningful and this is a cool way to show kids bonding with their parents. I especially loved that the dad has a tattoo to commemorate his time in the military, something the SO also shares in common with him.
This book checked off a lot of great boxes for me but it also fell a little short. I wasn't a fan of the structure the author used for the narrative. It is the voice of the dad, answering questions but we never hear the questions. I think this book also could have been a bit better if the mom had tattoos or a tattoo story. But I appreciate the new voice and idea!
Carmela Full of Wishes by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson
Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson are back together again after much success with Last Stop on Market Street. Carmela has just celebrated her birthday and is now old enough to go out with her brother to run errands. While she is out she finds a dandelion and wants to make a wish. She thinks about her wishes as she travels along her brother.
We learn about how her life is happy and complex at the same time. And while her brother is reluctant to have a little sister tagging along, he finds a way to make it work. A story of hope for an immigrant, a story of sibling love, and dynamic illustrations by the talented Christian Robinson. You will see yourself and others in this one for sure!
Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal
When we were picking a name for Oscar, I would say we put a medium amount of effort into it. We knew we wanted Nate's name as part of it if he were a boy. We wanted a connection to my grandma on my mom's side so our girl name was heavily family influenced. However, a boy first name was a little tough. The family names on my grandma's side weren't resonating with us. Eventually we decided on Oscar and then found out there is a person on that side of the family, long down the line, who had the name Oscar. (Thanks, Ancestry.com!)
In Alma and How She Got Her Name, young Alma does as I imagine most kids do. She asks how she got her name. On each page we learn how her long name is connected to someone important in her family. And we learn how the name Alma means something different. After reading this book to my kindergarten class we had a fun conversation about our name stories. I loved hearing the unique ways each child got their name. Mirror book? Yep!
Julián is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
For real, this is probably my favorite book published in 2018. Julián leaves the pool with his grandma and he sees mermaids. Well, women, who are dressed as mermaids. As he and his grandma head home on the bus, he imagines that he turns into a mermaid. As soon as they get home and Grandma disappears into the bathroom, Julián transforms himself into a mermaid. But when Grandma comes out of the bathroom and sees him all dressed up, he is worried that she won't approve. And then...she gives him something to add to his outfit. YES! My heart burst open into a million mermaid colors when I read that part. Can you imagine a world in which the people you love let you be who you want to be, no matter what? Even if it is hard for them? Man, that's my world.
A couple of years ago, in kindergarten, we had a little boy who was Spider Man. No, he wasn't pretending. I'm telling you every time this child climbed the stairs, he got to the top and crouched down low. He shot webs as we walked through the hallways. Soon, as is often the case when your people are 5 and 6 years old, everyone wanted to be Spider Man. We let this happen and eventually it ran its course for the other kids. But this little guy, he never stopped being Spider Man.
And Julián, he is a mermaid. Finally, a book for the mermaids.
I can't believe we have a 9 month old. And he loves books. <3 For the record, Everywhere Babies is a mirror and a window book as well |
Tell Me a Tattoo Story by Alison McGhee, illustrated by Eliza Wheeler
This story is definitely a mirror for the SO (significant other) and I. We are both well-tattooed people. I was really excited to get my hands on this with the added bonus that I adored McGhee's collaboration with Kate DiCamillo in the Bink & Gollie series. The premise is sweet - a small child is asking his dad to tell the story of each tattoo. Each tattoo is meaningful and this is a cool way to show kids bonding with their parents. I especially loved that the dad has a tattoo to commemorate his time in the military, something the SO also shares in common with him.
Carmela Full of Wishes by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson
Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson are back together again after much success with Last Stop on Market Street. Carmela has just celebrated her birthday and is now old enough to go out with her brother to run errands. While she is out she finds a dandelion and wants to make a wish. She thinks about her wishes as she travels along her brother.
Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal
When we were picking a name for Oscar, I would say we put a medium amount of effort into it. We knew we wanted Nate's name as part of it if he were a boy. We wanted a connection to my grandma on my mom's side so our girl name was heavily family influenced. However, a boy first name was a little tough. The family names on my grandma's side weren't resonating with us. Eventually we decided on Oscar and then found out there is a person on that side of the family, long down the line, who had the name Oscar. (Thanks, Ancestry.com!)
Julián is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
For real, this is probably my favorite book published in 2018. Julián leaves the pool with his grandma and he sees mermaids. Well, women, who are dressed as mermaids. As he and his grandma head home on the bus, he imagines that he turns into a mermaid. As soon as they get home and Grandma disappears into the bathroom, Julián transforms himself into a mermaid. But when Grandma comes out of the bathroom and sees him all dressed up, he is worried that she won't approve. And then...she gives him something to add to his outfit. YES! My heart burst open into a million mermaid colors when I read that part. Can you imagine a world in which the people you love let you be who you want to be, no matter what? Even if it is hard for them? Man, that's my world.
This transformation, laid out over a couple pages, is stunning. Fo real. |
Gorgeous foreshadowing. *applause |
And Julián, he is a mermaid. Finally, a book for the mermaids.
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