Dear Willie Rudd

by Libba Moore Gray, Peter M. Fiore (Illustrator)

In this thoughtful epistolary picture book, a white woman fondly remembers the black housekeeper who raised her in the time of segregation and reflects on how the world has changed.

Fifty years have passed since Miss Elizabeth was a girl, but she still remembers Willie Rudd, the black housekeeper who helped raise her. She remembers the feel of sitting in Willie Rudd’s lap while the housekeeper sang to her. And she remembers how Willie Rudd scrubbed the floor on her hands and knees.

What would Miss Elizabeth say to Willie Rudd if she were alive today? She decides to write her a letter telling her how things would be different. Now Willie Rudd would come in the front door—not the back. She would ride in the front of the bus with Miss Elizabeth, and they could sit together at the movies. The two of them would have a wonderful time.

And in her heartfelt letter, Miss Elizabeth has the chance to tell Willie Rudd something she never told her while she was alive—that she loved her.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Picture Books, African American, Childrens

40 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1993

Reviews

[Victor Navarro · Rating 4 out of 5]

The intended age group/ grade level is 5-8 years old, or preschool - 3rd grade. I think anyone can read this, however some people may not like how the story is from the view of the white lady, rather than Willie herself.
The story follows an older woman who is feeling sad, and misses her black housekeeper from her childhood. She then decides to write a letter to her even though she is almost sure she has passed. The story then goes into a bit of a flashback style narration for the rest, until the end where she is content and feels better after remembering Willie Rudd who according to the narrator raised her basically.
I chose it thinking it was from Willie Rudd's view, but still was not bad.
Lexile measure: AD580L

[Ana DeLoreto · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells the story of an older lady who looks back at her life and writes a letter to her African American house keeper. In this letter, she wishes that she could do all the things that they weren't allowed to do back then. It's a heartwarming and touching story that emphasizes relationships and differences.

[Chantel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elizabeth remembers Ms Willie Rudd and how Ms Willie was treated because she was Black.

[Jose · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, 'Dear Willie Rudd" was a nice read. I enjoyed the illustrations throughout this story, which also reflects to the story too. The reader sees the life of a women describing opportunities and other things that that her back woman friend couldn't do. The woman wished she could of thank her friend for all the wrong things that happened to her because of race. I think this is a good book to read to children to help them learn on regret and that we are all fortunate enough to be able to many things equally today.

[Julie scully · Rating 4 out of 5]

reminiscent of The Help. This picture book shows Miss Elizabeth wishing Willie Rudd could be welcomed in her front door, eat with her at the dining room table, sit in the front row with her at the theater and on the bus. But surely Willie Rudd is in heaven if ever anyone deserved to be. So Miss Elizabeth writes her a letter of love and apology and wistful remembering and sets it free on a kite on the evening breeze.

[Malissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have read The Help, this is a children's condensed version. An older lady thinks back on her life and writes a letter to her African American house keeper saying that she wishes they could do now all the things they weren't allowed to do together then. Very touching.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

A long time ago rich white people would have black house keepers that would also watch the children. Elizabeth missed her and thought of all the nice things she should have said and done with her when she was alive. Very sweet book.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an eye opening read. The level of diversity presented in this book is tremendous. Especially when the child wants her former slave to meet with her again as a free woman. I would love to use this to aid in a lesson over slave history.

[Marissa Pezzullo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tugged on the hearts of those who are sensitive. The little girl writes a letter to her former maid, who just happens to be a black woman that basically raised her. This book could be used to show children, no matter what to treat everyone equally.

[Megan Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story about a white woman, now old and gray, recalling her childhood memories with her black nannie. She writes to Ms. Willie Rudd to apologize for anything her family ever said and to thank her for all she did.

[Marjorie Cummings · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about an older white woman remembering the housekeeper that helped raise her during the days of segregation in the south, and writes her a letter of thanks and tells her how things would be different today.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot because it deals with regret and reflection. This can be a great conversation starter.

[Dee]

Loved this circular story of a woman remembering her African American nanny and the discrimination against her. She describes how she would treat her differently if she had the opportunity.