Her Right Foot, My Two Blankets and Wishtree
Her Right Foot by Dave Eggers
Synopsis: In Her Right Foot, David Eggers paints a picture of America through the history and symbolism of the Statue of Liberty. To begin the book, Eggers give the backstory of the Statue making her way through the Atlantic Ocean shipped in more than 200 crates. First, the statue was designed and assembled in Paris, France, then to be brought to New York City. After the history is covered, Eggers take the book in a new direction. Eggers focuses on how the Statue is on the move. This begs the question, where is she going? Eggers walks through all the accessories and details on lady liberty, and the artist's intention behind them. For instance, the 7 points on her crown represent the 7 continents. Eggers communicates the important of the Statue in this day in age, and the role the statue plays in the lives of immigrants coming to New York for a new beginning in America.
Personal response: This was the picture book I was most excited to receive in the mail. I love that the book includes the history of the Statue, as well as how she continues to be relevant today. Before I read the book, I asked myself, what does the statue of liberty mean to me (as a natural born citizen)? I couldn't help but think about my great, great, great grandparents who came from Spain. Without their bravery and resilience to seek out a new life, where would I be today? It's emotional to think about family loving their future family so much that they are willing to step out in faith. What I think is funny about people being so divided about refugee issues is that we are all, in fact, refugees. We just all got here a little bit earlier than other people. This is something I believe should be discussed and celebrated in schools. The "we were here first" concept is so horrifying, but books like this can open meaningful dialogue.
A connection I made to this text about a recent event in American history. Earlier this year, when Trump created the ban of refugee's coming to America, I remember that I saw several images (I believe on CNN) with the Statue turned upside down. I cannot find any of these images right now (I think it was just the "cover photo" on cnn.com), but that was a very powerful image to look at...
I am a huge fan of this book. One question I might ask a fellow teacher who would read this book is "Does this change your idea of America, patriotism?". Sometimes, being an American can feel isolating, but when I read books such as the books that we have read this week, I feel so proud of what our country has been for so many unique people. As I was reading Wishtree, I found myself wishing that the children from the book had been able to have this book to read and discuss in class. This book could have been a huge difference maker in how the kids in the neighborhood related to Samar.
Critique: I think that this books, and books like it are absolutely necessary in times like these. This book is well written, and includes historical background, as well as a present day reminder of the Statue's meaning. Refugees are a group of people under the microscope a lot not only for their place in this country, but their place in this world. This book is a timely reminder of the values that our country was built upon. It's a crazy that as American's, we can look past huge monuments like the Statue and forget the true meaning. It's not a pretty trinket from France in the 1800's, but rather a glorious reminder that this land was made for me and you. No matter who the You is!
I can't think of any negative critique for this book... It is informational, relevant and inclusive. Another aspect of the book I enjoyed was the beautiful illustrations. The colors are complex and vibrant; which reminded me of the people who make up our country.
Critical literacy perspective of a spread in Her Right Foot (photo attached below): The page I chose to focus on in Her Right Foot is a page in the book where the Statue is surrounded by a plethora of boats, ships and airplanes. In this colorful picture, the words read "It never ends. It cannot end." These words might seem simple, but they convey a deep meaning to the reader. As the book focuses on refugee's coming to America, there comes a point in the book where the author conveys the importance of not keeping the statue "still". Just as the Statue is on the move, so are the people of the world. This movement is a beautiful and complicated thing, because it is bringing people of all different backgrounds to together to share one common ground in America.
The picture shows all kinds of transportation surrounding the Statue. You can't help but wonder, who is on that boat? Where are they coming from, why did the come and where are they going? It is almost as if the illustrator is trying to say that this movement is normal, welcomed and needed. The Statue must see lots of people coming and going, and that was what she was built to look upon. Just as the people who are coming to America are from diverse backgrounds, the ways they are coming are diverse as well. The means of transportation are rich and brilliant colors, making up a body of water sustaining people of all nations and colors.
Although the 6 words on the page might seem simplistic, they carry a deep meaning. "It never ends." Change and movement is necessary and not preventable. Change brings about beauty and empathy, two things that I would say is not readily available in areas of our country right now. The next sentence "It cannot end." communicates a sense of urgency to the reader. Welcoming people to our country is something that cannot shy away from, for is it the foundation of the country that we live.
Classroom applications: I believe that this book would fit nicely into a variety of classroom curriculums. One example could be pairing this book with a non-fiction memoir or biography/historical fiction book about coming to America as a refugee. Everything I Never Told You is a great example of a book for older readers that could work. I also believe that this book would be a great book to read as you focus on the present day news. This book could lead to meaningful conversation and great journal writing. Another idea I had was letting student write letters to refugee's. These could be letters for refugee's of present time, or refugees coming to America in the past. The letter activity could also be relevant in a lesson about the industrial revolution, or another time period. Additionally, this book could be used when discussing concepts of social justice.
My Two Blankets by Irena Kobald and Freya Blackwood
Synopsis: As a girl with the nickname "Cartwheel" moves to a new country, she faces all the stresses of living in a new place (Australia) where she doesn't understand the language, transportation and food. With only her Auntie, Cartwheel must learn to acclimate to a new culture. In times where Cartwheel feels alone, she goes home and hides herself under a "blanket"of familiarity. This blanket provides a sense of comfort for Cartwheel as she feels covered in words and sounds of her home (a country in Africa). Things start to change for Cartwheel as she befriends a blonde-headed girl at the park. As they build their friendship, the new friend starts to bring Cartwheel pieces of paper with new words on them. The girl would help Cartwheel become familiar with these new words, thus helping her feel more confident in her new home. Through the friendship, Cartwheel finds that she can build a new blanket with her new words. She finds that both blankets could be warm and soft places for her. At the conclusion of the story, Cartwheel says that her new blanket grew just as comfortable as her old blanket, but ends the story with "I will always be me".
Personal response: Although this book is short, the pages carry lots of meaning and require the reader to be engaged as she/he reads with Cartwheel's story. I like how this book not only talks about Cartwheel acclimating to a new culture, but also still having a deep sense of connection to where she came from. This is something I believe often gets pushed aside in literature, because we as a culture are so focused on getting people "Americanized"... Teachers often make kids talk in English at school, instead of their first language. It is important for children to not feel like they have to throw away the culture they came from as they come to America, but rather, they should always strive to preserve their culture.
This is an idea I can also see in Her Right Foot, as we see people clothed in clothing that is linked to their culture. I liked how in both books, you can see a pride in people regarding their home county and traditions. The themes of both these books is that when different cultures come together in a place where diversity is valued, beauty and kindness will appear. Another theme for both these books is that in order to understand people, we must first welcome them, and then get to know they for who they really are.
While reading the article titled "Nobody Spoke Like I Did: Picture Books, Critical Literacy, and Global Contexts", I appreciated how the article focused on how powerful books can be in showing a child the importance of empathy. One passage that was particularly interesting read...
"As we are literacy educators, literature plays a role in the way we inculcate positive civic and social values in our students. Some students will actually have had experiences similar to Cartwheel’s, and others may not; yet, we live in a culture where depictions of refugees and immigrants can sometimes be very politically charged, ignoring their human- ity and perpetuating negative stereotypes (Berry, Garcia-Blanco, & Moore, 2015). It is here that the role of critical literacy, as part of our understanding of global literacy, should play an important role in our classroom learning and teaching." (Callow 2017).
In a world where refugee's (and people of color in general) have become a political "issue", teaching children how to be empathetic is absolutely essential. Literature is a great way to introduce empathy to a child through introducing relatable yet distinctly different characters. In this book, as well as in Wishtree, the characters are written about as though they are normal children living in the world, simply trying to fit in. It is absolutely crucial that these books present characters in a way where negative stereotypes are not included in the literature, in order to fight ignorance and open the door to deeper understanding, connection and empathy.
Critique: This book was a good read, and I am happy that I now have it in my classroom library. This book is more suitable for younger group of children, versus Her Right Foot. One concern I do have about reading this to a younger group of students is if they would get the metaphor of the blanket. The theme in this book is easy to recognize, but the idea of the blanket not really being a blanket might take some time to explain and understand. Because of this, even though I think this text is more feasible for younger students to understand in comparison to Her Right Foot, I believe you could read this book to older students all well, and focus on the symbolism/metaphor of the blanket. I like how this book could be used with a wide range of students.
Classroom applications: This book would be helpful in teaching about refugees. Because this book could be used with younger students, I would love to see this book be used to introduce a lesson. The book would be a great way to capture a child's interest. Additionally, I would love to do an art project with a class. The project would be about drawing our own "blankets". The blankets might include family, friends, food and different things that make the child unique.
Wishtree by Katherine Applegate
Synopsis: Red is an oak tree, and the narrator. The story starts with Red introducing itself (Red is both female and male), and setting the scene for the neighborhood in which the tree is planted. What makes Red special is that she is a wishing tree. Every year on May 1st, people from all other the town come to tie their wishes to Red's branches. In this story, tree's talk, feel and engage with the animals around them. Red resides in a neighborhood that attracts a diverse range of people and animals alike. Stephen and Samar are two 10 year old's who share Red between their houses. Samar, a young Muslim girl is trying to find her place in a new neighborhood, takes rest in late nights under the tree's surrounded by the baby animals who live in the tree's branches. The story takes a turn when a high school boy carves the word "LEAVE" into the tree, followed by other anti-Muslim acts directed toward Samar and her family. Samar knows that this word is meant for her. Francesca, the owner of the tree, decides to tear the tree down. Although Red doesn't wish to be torn down, the tree's main focus is on healing Samar's broken heart. Red and her friend Bongo the crow (and all the other animals who have a home in Red) make orchestrate run ins with Stephen and Samar, in hopes to build a friendship. While the adults in the story still keep each other at an arms distance, Stephen and Samar grow to understand each other more through experiences sitting under Red. After one last wishing day, it's time to tear Red down. At the conclusion of the story, Francesca comes to the realization that Red hold too many memories for her family to be torn down, and she ends up saving the tree.
Personal response: At first, I definitely did not know what to think of a book that had a tree as the narrator. I so loved last week's book (about a robot), but I did not know if I could buy into a book with a tree feeling, talking, etc. After I chose to give this book a chance, I was pleasantly surprised with how much I grew to love the characters. This book is relevant and timely with all the conversation in the country going on surrounding Muslim's. One thing that I could relate to was Stephen's character. It is a difficult thing to move past our parent's beliefs, but what it is what we should do in order to be as empathic and understanding as possible.
This book really reminded me of My Two Blankets. Both Cartwheel and Samar enter a new place where they feel uncomfortable trying to weave a "new blanket" of culture. Although in My Two Blankets Cartwheel does not deal with direct bullying, it can be inferred that she must have faced similar struggles at some point in her story. Also, I could see the connection between My Two Blankets and Her Right Foot. Both books stress the importance of welcoming people (whether that be by way of the Statue or into our own neighborhoods) who are from differing cultures in a context that is relevant today's culture.
My favorite thing about the book was how the animals who lived in Red represented a neighborhood that was at peace welcoming diversity. The animals who lived in Red ranged from owls, opossums and birds. All these animals were working towards a goal (to unite Samar and Stephen, then to save Red). Because of their focus on community, they made a true difference. Although the neighborhood in the book wasn't as simple as this, I believe the animals were a representation of what can happen when all people come together with a common goal. The two theme's of this book, from my perspective are that 1) that people are so much stronger when they come together to tackle conflict and 2) the key to empathy is to seek out people who are different than you, then strive to know them deeply.
Critique: I liked this book, but not sure if I would recommend it with enthusiasm to a friend. The reason behind this is that we never really got to see what it was like at Samar's house, or Stephen's house. I think that this made the book lack some aspects that could have been really wonderful to read about. What are Samar's parent saying, what are Stephen's parents saying? What do the traditions at their house look like?
One of the most fun parts of this book was hearing about how all the different animals get their names. I think the little details made the book interesting to read. I also enjoyed hearing about Maeve's story, and seeing how immigrants built the neighborhood into what it is presently. This was an important part of the book, and connected well to Samar's story.
Sources
Applegate, Katharine (2017) Wishtree. New York, New York: Macmillan Publishing
Callow, Jon. (2017) The Reading Teacher Vol 71 No. 2 Pages 231-237. Retrieved from https://asulearn.appstate.edu/pluginfile.php/96942/mod_page/content/13/picture%20books%20crit%20lit%20global.pdf
Eggers, Dave (2017) Her Right Foot; illus Shawn Harris. San Francisco, California: Chronicle Books
Kobold, Irena (2017) My Two Blankets; ilus Freya Blackwood. New York, New York: Houghton Mifflin
