Just the Two of US
Bibliographic Information:
Smith, Will. Illustrated by Nelson, Kadir. Just the Two of Us. New York: Scholastic Press, 2001.
Summary:
This story was surprisingly wonderful. This fictional account of a father and son relationship starts with the day of his birth. The father and narrator describes the instaneous love he felt for his son and how he could never let anything happen to his new baby. As the story progresses, the father watches his son grow into a young man and gives him advice about being a good person and making good choices in life. When the son reaches the age of five, we learn that the father and mother got divorced. Even though it is unfortunate that their relationship didn't survive, the narrator expresses that his feelings for his son never changed. It tells the progression of a relationship between a father and son throughout his childhood. This story serves as a reminder for children about the love that their parents have for them. Sometimes they forget.
Recommendation for Parents:
This book supports students of other cultures as the family represented is African American. It conveys the message that even though people look different and live their lives very differently from themselves, love and feelings are universal. It will allow children to relate to people that are different. Also, this story deals with divorce which is happening to a lot of families in American society today. Even though parents get divorced sometimes, their love for their children is unconditional.
Recommendation for Other Teachers:
Just the Two of Us is a great story to read for holidays. In particular, Father's Day would be a great time of year to read this story to children to inspire writing prompts for cards or letters.
Personal Note:
I liked this book because it was so touching. I read it and found myself with tears in my eyes several times. I recommend this story because of the reaction from the children that I received when I read it. They could relate to it and felt happy to share their experiences with their fathers or other important male role models in their lives.
The Family of Earth
Bibliographic Information:
Schimmel, Schim. The Family of Earth. New York: Scholastic Press, 2001.
Summary:
The Family of Earth is a beautifully illustrated story about broadening perspectives about the environment and our planet we share with so many creatures. The overlying theme of this book is that even though each of our individual words are very different, we share the planet with many different people and creatures. The illustrations are colorful and elaborate that help show the true beauty of the world around us. For this book, the author is also the illustrator.
Recommendation for Parents:
This story is valuable to children as it allows them to think outside of their own box. Often times, children unintentionally think only about issues that involve themselves. The Family of Earth demonstrates the importance of thinking about issues such as the environment and the well being of our planet.
Recommendation for Other Teachers:
Schim Schimmel's story is an effective way to get children involved and thinking about environmental issues. It might be helpful to incorporate this book into a unit covering recycling and could be read on or around Earth Day. This though provoking story could inspire a school wide recycling project or a clean up day.
Personal Note:
I was so impressed with the illustrations in this story. They are truly beautiful paintings that are colorful and extremely detailed. When I read this story to my first graders, I allowed them extra time to take in these pictures. I would recommend this book not only because of the representations but because of the important message it conveys. It is important to take care of our planet that we live and share with so many animals and people.