by Dr. Debra Collins
A friend of mine, a fellow writer, laments that picture books are considered little children’s books. Great picture books offer wisdom for humans of all ages.
Consider the two books we’re visiting today. Both ring the same bell:
“I’d ring out love between my brothers and my sisters…”
–Pete Seeger and Lee Hays, “If I Had a Hammer”
To fully appreciate these stories, first go to a mirror. Look at your reflection. You recognize yourself, don’t you?
You recognize yourself, even though your reflection shows the OPPOSITE of you.
Your reflection’s left is your right.
Consider the two books we’re visiting today. Both ring the same bell:
“I’d ring out love between my brothers and my sisters…”
–Pete Seeger and Lee Hays, “If I Had a Hammer”
To fully appreciate these stories, first go to a mirror. Look at your reflection. You recognize yourself, don’t you?
You recognize yourself, even though your reflection shows the OPPOSITE of you.
Your reflection’s left is your right.
********
Moe and Mo live in homes at opposite ends of the same street. Their mothers take them to the same store, which is where the children first meet. Both boys run down the aisles and reach for candies. Moe and Mo both have dark, curly hair, olive skin, brown eyes, and shy smiles. When they meet, they see themselves in each other. Indeed, the shopkeeper asks if they are twins.
At the neighborhood park, they run into each other again. The boys delight in playing together, then ask if their families can meet for a picnic. At sundown, Moe, Mo and their parents “feast together under a leafy tree.” They wish each other peace:
At the neighborhood park, they run into each other again. The boys delight in playing together, then ask if their families can meet for a picnic. At sundown, Moe, Mo and their parents “feast together under a leafy tree.” They wish each other peace:
At bedtime, gazing at the moon watching over them both, each boy makes a wish for his friend’s happiness.
Moe’s family is Jewish, and Mo’s family is Muslim. Jane Breskin Zalben, the author, is Jewish. The illustrator, Mehrdokht Amini is Muslim. In her Author’s Note, Jane writes, “The Hebrew and Arabic words for compassion, rahamim (Hebrew) and rahma (Arabic) share the same root. Compassion is the foundation of any good friendship.” In her Illustrator’s Note, Mehrdokht tells us, “I was overjoyed to work on a book about empathy, the beauty of similarities, and the ease with which children form deep friendships. Stereotyping usually exists in the world of adults, while children see the world in a more accepting and unbiased way.”
The message of love and harmony is clear. Does it teach sweet, untroubled children anything they don’t instinctively know? There are adults who might learn from this story. The adults who espouse, teach, and act out rejection and hostility, dividing groups of humans into “us” and “them.”
As Jane Breskin Zalben said in an interview about this book, “Children seem accepting and open. I hope the adults reading this are as well. I fear a number might not be. They might be closed because of what occurs in the world politically.”
Moe’s family is Jewish, and Mo’s family is Muslim. Jane Breskin Zalben, the author, is Jewish. The illustrator, Mehrdokht Amini is Muslim. In her Author’s Note, Jane writes, “The Hebrew and Arabic words for compassion, rahamim (Hebrew) and rahma (Arabic) share the same root. Compassion is the foundation of any good friendship.” In her Illustrator’s Note, Mehrdokht tells us, “I was overjoyed to work on a book about empathy, the beauty of similarities, and the ease with which children form deep friendships. Stereotyping usually exists in the world of adults, while children see the world in a more accepting and unbiased way.”
The message of love and harmony is clear. Does it teach sweet, untroubled children anything they don’t instinctively know? There are adults who might learn from this story. The adults who espouse, teach, and act out rejection and hostility, dividing groups of humans into “us” and “them.”
As Jane Breskin Zalben said in an interview about this book, “Children seem accepting and open. I hope the adults reading this are as well. I fear a number might not be. They might be closed because of what occurs in the world politically.”
********
Keira, whose experience drives this story, tells us, “Bianca and I are almost twins.” She shows us the many ways they are the same. “We’re inseparable,” Keira says. “She’s my best friend.”
Actually, it’s only at school that Keira and Bianca are inseparable. Although the girls live on the same street, Keira’s parents instruct her to stay away from Bianca’s house. “I can’t go to any parties or sleepovers at her house. And I can’t invite her to mine.”
The adult world is hovering over these friends, in the form of the Confederate flag waving outside Bianca’s house. Keira’s parents tell her it’s a “hate flag” and “a symbol of violence and aggression.” Bianca’s parents tell her it’s a “heritage flag” and “a celebration of courage and pride.” The girls know no more than that…
…until the day of the school field trip to the Southern Legacy Field Museum. Keira and Bianca are disappointed that they are assigned to different groups during the trip. However, Keira’s dad has come with her. He leads his daughter to a new exhibit called Stars and Bars.
Keira sees that flag. And her father explains the horrors shown in the pictures and displays. He describes how they directly affected Keira’s grandparents, her mother, and himself. He tells Keira “the things Black people have to do every day to stay safe.” The knowledge shatters Keira’s innocence. Her feeling of twinship with Bianca vanishes.
Back at school, the girls’ teacher affirms, “The Confederacy fought a war to keep Black people enslaved. Their battle flag is still used by hate groups who want white people to rule.” Bianca wonders, “Why would my family fly a flag like that?”
Their friendship fractured, each girl struggles to comprehend her place in the world. In the news, a brutal, current event brings their teacher’s words to life.
Bianca’s parents take the flag down. Wistfully, she tells Keira she hopes they can be friends again. Though uncertain, Keira is willing to try. Still, the complete trust of their childhood twinship is gone.
In her Author’s Note, Tameka Fryer Brown writes, “If human beings can learn to be racist, we can also learn not to be.” In his Illustrator’s Note, Nikkolas Smith tells of his aim “to portray the innocence and wisdom of youth because it is often a roadmap of where we should go as a human race.”
Actually, it’s only at school that Keira and Bianca are inseparable. Although the girls live on the same street, Keira’s parents instruct her to stay away from Bianca’s house. “I can’t go to any parties or sleepovers at her house. And I can’t invite her to mine.”
The adult world is hovering over these friends, in the form of the Confederate flag waving outside Bianca’s house. Keira’s parents tell her it’s a “hate flag” and “a symbol of violence and aggression.” Bianca’s parents tell her it’s a “heritage flag” and “a celebration of courage and pride.” The girls know no more than that…
…until the day of the school field trip to the Southern Legacy Field Museum. Keira and Bianca are disappointed that they are assigned to different groups during the trip. However, Keira’s dad has come with her. He leads his daughter to a new exhibit called Stars and Bars.
Keira sees that flag. And her father explains the horrors shown in the pictures and displays. He describes how they directly affected Keira’s grandparents, her mother, and himself. He tells Keira “the things Black people have to do every day to stay safe.” The knowledge shatters Keira’s innocence. Her feeling of twinship with Bianca vanishes.
Back at school, the girls’ teacher affirms, “The Confederacy fought a war to keep Black people enslaved. Their battle flag is still used by hate groups who want white people to rule.” Bianca wonders, “Why would my family fly a flag like that?”
Their friendship fractured, each girl struggles to comprehend her place in the world. In the news, a brutal, current event brings their teacher’s words to life.
Bianca’s parents take the flag down. Wistfully, she tells Keira she hopes they can be friends again. Though uncertain, Keira is willing to try. Still, the complete trust of their childhood twinship is gone.
In her Author’s Note, Tameka Fryer Brown writes, “If human beings can learn to be racist, we can also learn not to be.” In his Illustrator’s Note, Nikkolas Smith tells of his aim “to portray the innocence and wisdom of youth because it is often a roadmap of where we should go as a human race.”
********
The story of Moe and Mo is a hug, immersing us in humanity’s potential for togetherness.
The story of Keira and Bianca is a punch in the gut,
forcing us to face humanity’s uglier side, challenging us to address it.
I believe that adults who appreciate these books already agree with them. Some of the adults who don’t are busy banning books like these.
Pure love is easy for innocent children, who see themselves in each other. Fellow adults, when you look at each other, what do you see?
Pure love is easy for innocent children, who see themselves in each other. Fellow adults, when you look at each other, what do you see?
