Get Dirty and Have Fun

This post will review two fun stories that will tempt kids to turn off their electronic devices, go outside, get dirty and have fun. I’m Dirty by Kate and Jim McMullan features a cocky and energetic backhoe–aptly named “Dirty”– who’s as proud as he is hard-working. He streaks from task to task performing his tasks with pride and skill.  In a single busy day he handles “10 torn up tires … 9 fractured fans … 8 busted beach umbrellas .. ” Young readers will enjoy this counting sequence, laughing and learning as they listen.

One page spread depicts the crushing machine pulverizing the trash. “Dirty” wryly  comments, “Hope ya like noise.” We all know the answer to that rhetorical question! Kids will howl with delight as they join in to speak the sounds. Humor will engage their attention. The story also carries an important message of the importance of hard work and persistence. It is a bonus  to get dirty and have fun in the process.

The authors have collaborated on a series of books that feature vehicles as characters. Here are a few. Check them out too.

Dirt + Water = Mud by Katherine Hannigan introduces us to a unique and un-named girl One look at the cover and readers will suspect that she’s not one of the “usual suspects.” Although she sports a pink tutu, she’s covered in mud–and giggling about it! Clearly, she’s not your typical princess-loving, pink-obsessed girl. He’s discovered how much fun it is to get dirty and have fun! Readers discover that her muddied state happened by choice, after a careful countdown! Her constant companion is a patient and devoted little dog who sometimes gets less than the girl’s best attention. They work out their ups and downs and the story ends with the two friends happily planning the next day’s adventures.

Like the previous title, math also appears throughout this story. Equations appear throughout the story.  (The title itself is an equation.) Sounds dull, but it’s not. It’s zany, silly and fun, e.g., “Mud + splash = splatter … Hose + High up = shower …” The girl’s imagination rockets off to many places. While she enjoys her fantasies, she recognizes that her finest treasure is her dog.

AQ Lens: Most adoptees report having a rich fantasy life around the “what Ifs” of their lives (What if a different family had adopted me? What if I’d never been adopted? What if my birth mother is famous…” A book like this which emphasizes the girl’s imaginary worlds offers an easy pathway for discussing the types of fantasies your child might have. Whether they mention adoption or not, the conversation is sure to be fascinating and enlightening.

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Diverse Children’s Books is a book-sharing meme designed to promote the reading and writing of children’s books that feature diverse characters. This community embraces all kinds of diversity including (and certainly not limited to) diverse, inclusive, multicultural, and global books for children of all backgrounds.

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Upcoming Themes

Themes are a suggestion only; all diverse book posts are welcome. Out of respect for everyone’s increased summer busyness, we will only have one hop each month for June (3rd), July (1st), and August (5th). We will return to twice-monthly hops in September. If you’re interested, you can start planning now …

• Our next hop will take place on May 20th, and the optional theme will be socioeconomic diversity. Consider sharing some of your favorite books that feature characters across a range of socioeconomic situations.

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Most Clicked Post from Last Time

The most-clicked post from the previous #diversekidlit was Patricia’s review of the new book, Where Will I Live? by Rosemary McCarney. This timely picture book includes photographs from the UN High Commission for Refugees and proceeds from the book will help support programs for refugees.

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