Rad kids' book about a (white) boy who is teased for and distracted from (unsuccessfully) wanting a doll. When I read this to my kids, I was a little...moreRad kids' book about a (white) boy who is teased for and distracted from (unsuccessfully) wanting a doll. When I read this to my kids, I was a little uncomfortable with William being teased- I would have preferred a more positive storyline so the kids don't get any ideas, but it was written in an age where this was the norm. Great for someone being teased for stepping out of their assigned gender roles. In the end, William's grandmother buys him a doll,"so he'll know how to take care of his baby... so that he can practice being a father."(less)
Joe was lukewarm about this story, as was I. It had a cute anti-sexist message and the book could be construed as an anti-bullfighting message if you...moreJoe was lukewarm about this story, as was I. It had a cute anti-sexist message and the book could be construed as an anti-bullfighting message if you dig deep enough and comment on the text while you read it.
Basic story: a bull likes to sit and smell the flowers. Through a random incident, he's picked for a bull fight and, instead of fighting, he sits and smells the flowers in the audiences' hair. Cute.(less)
It was a cute book, I give it that. But it's more multi-culti tourism for liberal white people to feel like they're doin' right. Anyway, slight proble...moreIt was a cute book, I give it that. But it's more multi-culti tourism for liberal white people to feel like they're doin' right. Anyway, slight problem: Granny says "to Africa" and they go to Kenya. Which is good, often people forget that Africa is a continent, not a country, but the other places she visits are just the country, no mention of the continent (well, not counting Australia, but that's a special case). She visits 4 places in Asia (if you count Russia and the Middle East), 2 place in South/Central America, 1 place in Europe (seriously- why is Asia a separate continent from Europe?), 1 place in Africa and then to Australia.
Not vegan friendly, as she buy wool, cats and llamas. BUT it does show an adventurous woman, so that's a plus.(less)
Aw, this book was so cute! I just got it on Amazon after reading that it might be a good book for polyamorous families to read to their kids and discu...moreAw, this book was so cute! I just got it on Amazon after reading that it might be a good book for polyamorous families to read to their kids and discuss (and, after reading this, I’d say any family that has more than two parents- step parents, birth parents, etc.)
It’s an adorable picture book about a black cat (also, LOVE! Black cats- and all black animals- are killed at higher rates in shelters, so yay for books starring them!) whose name is Sid. He “scams” 6 different families into giving him 6 dinners a day. Eventually they all find out and Sid moves to a new street-where everyone know that everyone feeds Sid but everyone wants to share him. To quote the last line of the book, “And, because everyone knew, nobody minded.”
Now, for older kids (and it is a picture book, so we’re probably talking 1st/2nd/3rd grade most likely), it could be a good conversation starter about how different people (specifically romantic partners if you want to go that far) fulfill different and similar and unique roles in our lives (Sid has different names, different jobs, different comforts at every house). For young kids, it’s a great book about sharing the things you love AND taking cats to the vet when they’re sick! We’ll overlook the “letting cats outside unsupervised” thing and assume Sid is neutered (I run a cat and dog rescue, what can I say? These are important things to know in my life).
Now, in terms of other factors, the book features mostly visibly white, able-bodied people. It’s in an urban-ish area, probably middle class. The one thing I super appreciated is that there were just as many, if not more, men taking care of Sid as compared to women. There aren’t enough books that assume men love cats just as much as women (and gender queer folks). So mega points for that!
Overall, it is an adorable book that left a smile on my face.(less)
Hahahaha! I loved books like this when I was a kid. Tells you how poop is gotten rid of all through the world, through the ages, and even is space- th...moreHahahaha! I loved books like this when I was a kid. Tells you how poop is gotten rid of all through the world, through the ages, and even is space- through rhyming poems (there are sensible, factual sentences on the edges of the pages)! Awesome.(less)
Adorable, as most Grover books are. I love that Grover is proud of learning new skills, but fearful of the change that might bring- and is, of course,...moreAdorable, as most Grover books are. I love that Grover is proud of learning new skills, but fearful of the change that might bring- and is, of course, reassured by his mom. Additionally, he babysits (sort-of) in the book! Yay, boys taking care of children!(less)
Intense book for kids. The imagery is subtle and worded perfectly for children- still as intense as it's pictures. Don't quite get the ending, but it'...moreIntense book for kids. The imagery is subtle and worded perfectly for children- still as intense as it's pictures. Don't quite get the ending, but it's late and probably a good ending all around. Leave you thinking about it for a bit.(less)
Another book to add to the very small girl pirate shelf! Olive wants to have a pirate themed birthday party, but thinks it will be ruined when she has...moreAnother book to add to the very small girl pirate shelf! Olive wants to have a pirate themed birthday party, but thinks it will be ruined when she has to have it at her Aunt Tiffany's, an elderly woman who takes her to the opera and has lots of breakables in her house. Much to Olive's surprise, Aunt Tiffany transforms herself in Bluebeard the Pirate and throws a great party. The illustrations are great and very detailed. This would be a good story to grow on- the kiddies will notice more in the background, especially as they start learning to read. Mostly white, heterosexual families that own property, yo.(less)
Joe loves all things that move, but I try to focus on bikes and trains (as cars, trucks and construction machines are raping and murdering our planet)...moreJoe loves all things that move, but I try to focus on bikes and trains (as cars, trucks and construction machines are raping and murdering our planet). He LOVES this book. It follows Sally Jean and her bicycling neighborhood and family as she grows up. By the time Sally Jean turns 8, she needs a new bike but her family can't afford one. Being the resourceful girl she is, she opens a learn-to-fix-your-bicycle shop and tries to raise the funds for a bike on her own. She only raises enough for 2 ties and then decides to put together a bike with junk parts. D.I.Y. ethics for children!! Absolutely adorable.(less)
This kid's book introduces a lot of issues (poverty, police brutality, gardening, etc.) subtlety and you can talk about them in depth more as your chi...moreThis kid's book introduces a lot of issues (poverty, police brutality, gardening, etc.) subtlety and you can talk about them in depth more as your child grows. A young girl and her grandmother are sharecroppers and when the grandmother dies, the granddaughter runs away to the city and joins a gang of abandoned children in a tent city. She convinces them to grow a garden so they don't have to steal food but the cops come, trample the garden and beat the children. In the end, the children end up re-building the garden and making peace with the rival gang of neglected children. It's a sweet story.(less)
This book was so cute! Lulu is a super girly girl who happens to looooove basketball, but the boys won't let her play. So she gets girls together from...moreThis book was so cute! Lulu is a super girly girl who happens to looooove basketball, but the boys won't let her play. So she gets girls together from all around the world to join her team.
I love finding books that emphasis a boy's sweetness and altruism. It praises boys for the usual- sportmanship, smartness, etc., but this book is much...moreI love finding books that emphasis a boy's sweetness and altruism. It praises boys for the usual- sportmanship, smartness, etc., but this book is much more holistic and nowhere near as bad as many book praising boys. There's even a few boys wearing purple and light/pastel colors, although pink is regulated almost exclusively for the girls; all the boys have short hair; and the book is mostly white (although better at various skin tones than most).(less)
A long, long time ago, each bird was only one color- with no markings. They all agreed blackbird was most beautiful, and begged him to share some blac...moreA long, long time ago, each bird was only one color- with no markings. They all agreed blackbird was most beautiful, and begged him to share some black with them. He painted all the birds with marvelous markings.
It's refreshing to see a children's book that reinforces that the color back is not an inherently negative, bad color. And not in a hippie manner, either
GREAT read for a girl who feels different because she wants to play with so-called "boys' toys". Cute read for everyone else. Ruthie goes to stay with...moreGREAT read for a girl who feels different because she wants to play with so-called "boys' toys". Cute read for everyone else. Ruthie goes to stay with her grandmother and they play lots of girl-y games, which Ruthie thinks is OK, but she'd rather play with toy fire trucks, trains and motorcycles. It's gentle and not harsh on the grandmother, who eventually plays with and likes the fire truck games.(less)
Aww, the cuteness! Photos of a Buffy action figure (Buffy), construction worker with one arm (Tariq), lego man (Jimmy), dollhouse action figure (Farah...moreAww, the cuteness! Photos of a Buffy action figure (Buffy), construction worker with one arm (Tariq), lego man (Jimmy), dollhouse action figure (Farah) and dog tell the story of 4 homeless, hungry friends who squat an abandoned building and fix it up (breaking some gender norms!); dumpster furniture and house goods; and stand up to the police by throwing a party. How awesome is that?!?!(less)
About two women's quest to save the birds. Focusing on the ban of feathers/birds on hats (this is the turn of the century)- there are even comments ag...moreAbout two women's quest to save the birds. Focusing on the ban of feathers/birds on hats (this is the turn of the century)- there are even comments against hunting ducks and eating songbird pie- the story follows two cousins who began the Audubon Society. Very cute, and especially a great read for girls- the female cousins start organizing, go undercover, it's great! All white folks.(less)
I love that this book celebrates a child's birth without bringing religion into it. Instead, this book celebrates the many wonderful aspects of "Mothe...moreI love that this book celebrates a child's birth without bringing religion into it. Instead, this book celebrates the many wonderful aspects of "Mother Earth" (to whom the book is dedicated)- animals, gravity, tides, rain, trees, air- and celestial bodies- stars, the moon and sun-, along with people and animals. It's a wonderful way to introduce our wonderful world and science. (less)
I wanted to like this more than I did. The ending was weird. I felt like it could have been an amazing book on wildlife in/reclaiming urban spots... b...moreI wanted to like this more than I did. The ending was weird. I felt like it could have been an amazing book on wildlife in/reclaiming urban spots... but instead it went on about keeping it a secret. Which I get, kids love secrets, but I just couldn't get into it. I like that the book reinforces there is wildlife in the nasty city, you just have to look for it.(less)
I love that this had no words. Your kids can take it in some many places. Anyway, a hunter goes to kill animals. They hide, he takes a nap, they chang...moreI love that this had no words. Your kids can take it in some many places. Anyway, a hunter goes to kill animals. They hide, he takes a nap, they change everything so he is confused when he awakes. He begins to cry, the animals take pity on him and return his things, show him the way home- so he breaks his gun and communes with the forests creatures.(less)
This book is great for two reasons. The biggest being the awesome, arching anti-hunter theme and the other being that the gnats save the larger animal...moreThis book is great for two reasons. The biggest being the awesome, arching anti-hunter theme and the other being that the gnats save the larger animals in the forest. Despite the fact that they are too small for the bullets to hurt them and even though the other animals are ignoring them, the gnats save the other animals from the hunters. (less)
Want a gentle way to tell a child why you oppose fur? This is good. A small pup is caught in a trap and is lucky enough to be found by a wildlife reha...moreWant a gentle way to tell a child why you oppose fur? This is good. A small pup is caught in a trap and is lucky enough to be found by a wildlife rehabilitator- her leg is fixed up and they nurse her back to health. The book follows her until Samantha (the pup) begins her own family. Based on the authors' journals.(less)
Primarily focusing on a family's year long wait for their baby girl. Great for young children awaiting new siblings as the brother frustratingly waits...morePrimarily focusing on a family's year long wait for their baby girl. Great for young children awaiting new siblings as the brother frustratingly waits and prepares for his new little sister. It's also an interracial couple, a white woman and Indian man, which is kind of rare in adoption books. (less)
I LOVE Todd Parr. He's amazing, optimistic, progressive, positive... this book is simple enough for the youngest child to comprehend ("you needed a fa...moreI LOVE Todd Parr. He's amazing, optimistic, progressive, positive... this book is simple enough for the youngest child to comprehend ("you needed a family and we needed a child" is the theme) and shows all sorts of families- multi-generational, single parent, interracial, queer and more!(less)
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