I've never been a Curious George fan.
Well, let me rephrase that.
I grew up with Curious George so I was very familiar with
the stories when I began teaching preschool, but as a Teacher
I looked at them differently. Even though they lived together,
I don't think the Man in the Yellow Hat really knew who George was.
In every story he'd say, "Don't get into trouble George",
but George always did. He'd make one mistake after another,
frustrating most of the people he interacted with,
until at last he saved the day.
I don't think that's a great message for young children.
Yes, these books allow for Great Conversations, and inspiring Great Conversations is a worthy criteria for book choosing, but there are many fabulous children's books that don't need to be interrupted by
"Now, do you think they are making good choices?"
I can be a frustrating person to read stories with. I am often told to "just keep reading" when
I've stopped one-too-many times during a book, hoping to inspire one of those Great Conversations.
Even some of my favorite children's books have characters who miss an opportunity to address an injustice,
and in 2 of them it is the teacher I find fault with. And yes, when I stop to point that out I often hear "just keep reading", but to me, it's important to point out that teachers make mistakes, too.
I grew up with Curious George so I was very familiar with
the stories when I began teaching preschool, but as a Teacher
I looked at them differently. Even though they lived together,
I don't think the Man in the Yellow Hat really knew who George was.
In every story he'd say, "Don't get into trouble George",
but George always did. He'd make one mistake after another,
frustrating most of the people he interacted with,
until at last he saved the day.
I don't think that's a great message for young children.
Yes, these books allow for Great Conversations, and inspiring Great Conversations is a worthy criteria for book choosing, but there are many fabulous children's books that don't need to be interrupted by
"Now, do you think they are making good choices?"
I can be a frustrating person to read stories with. I am often told to "just keep reading" when
I've stopped one-too-many times during a book, hoping to inspire one of those Great Conversations.
Even some of my favorite children's books have characters who miss an opportunity to address an injustice,
and in 2 of them it is the teacher I find fault with. And yes, when I stop to point that out I often hear "just keep reading", but to me, it's important to point out that teachers make mistakes, too.
In Wings, by Christopher Myers, a new boy has come to the neighborhood.
A boy with wings named Ikarus Jackson. "The whole school was staring eyes and
wagging tongues. They whispered about his wings and his hair and his shoes.
Like they whisper about how quiet I am."
This inspiring story is narrated by a quiet outsider who knows the loneliness
of being seen as different, and in the end, breaks her silence by standing up
against those who are taunting Ikarus. The use of collage adds a character and depth to the
simple, poetic text. This is a wonderful story about being proud of who you are, and
recognizing the beauty in others. But, alas, when a class is disrupted by his wings,
it is the teacher who complains and tells Ikarus to leave.
And so begins another opportunity for Great Conversations.
Teachers aren't exempt from making mistakes, and Wings offers a perfect opportunity to point that out.
In this book, the use of an insightful child as narrator allows the reader to see Ikarus, and our world, from her perspective;
she is not afraid of his difference, not blaming him for the discomfort his difference elicits in those around him.
Her willingness to recognize, and identify, with his unique beauty allows her to overcome her fears, and in the end,
celebrate his difference aloud. And in honestly acknowledging the teacher's inability to stand up for Ikarus, we are
admitting to children that often their less judgmental view of the world is preferable, hopefully inspiring them
to take pride in their individuality and speak up when they witness injustice.