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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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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Life’s Path: One Heart, One Compass

More than any other month, February focuses our attention on affairs of the heart. Usually this conjures thoughts of romance or affection. Let’s consider instead, another vital role our hearts play: they help us to connect with our core Purpose and values. Our hearts have an inner knowing that recognizes the what and why of our lives. Of course, children are not consciously aware of such conceptual thoughts. Yet they have an intuitive ability to understand metaphor and the way it can explain big ideas.

The North Star written and illustrated by Peter Reynolds, is a gem of a book that explores the notion of a guiding purpose, a compass to follow throughout our lives. As the boy travels through life, he recognizes that he is on a journey. He comes to understand that everyone must follow the inner knowing of one’s heart to carve out a life.

Sometimes one is content to follow a well-trodden path commonly pursued by many. Blindly “following the well-worn path, he had a growing feeling that he was lost.” He discovers the importance of taking the path less traveled, the one that only he can blaze. He comes to appreciate that each of us journeys on our own path.

Beautiful illustrations in ink and watercolor perfectly capture the dreamy and magical quality of the story. Five Stars

AQ Lens: In an effort to “fit in,” adopted children often find it easier to follow the traditional patterns of their adoptive family. They may do this for many reasons: to “please” parents; to avoid looking different; because they believe they aren’t “allowed” to be different; or for another reason.

The North Star opens an easy opportunity to talk about remaining true to oneself, of listening to that quiet inner voice that frames the core of who one is. Parents might want to directly reinforce their desire to nurture their child’s talents, both those they have in common as well as those that stem from the child’s biology.

Adoptive families must constantly convey that both/and attitude that emphasizes love, acceptance and appreciation of their child’s dual heritage and reassure children that they need not surrender or suppress part of themselves in a mistaken notion that it is unwelcome.

You Be You by Linda Kranz is a riotous fest of color and whimsy with a big message. It celebrates individuality and commonality in equal measure. Some “fish” are big, some little; some swim with the group; some swim on a solitary journey. Each is following their compass. “We all have something special that only we can share.” There’s a place for all.

Graffitti-style messages decorate the end papers. Each one invites discussion.

Five Stars

AQ Lens: Adoptive families will want to frequently explore concepts like individuality, commonality and difference. Each stands as an important part of the dynamics in adoption. Conversations can, in age-appropriate language explore the idea of being genuine–often a “hot” topic for adoptive families.

Questions worth exploring are: What is a “real” family? “Real parent” “Real” sibling? How is each family member both unique and different? Why do both have value? How does difference/similarity enrich families?

Readers might want to check out, Only One You also by Linda Kranz which also focuses on the importance of being one’s best self.

The Wisdom of Two Father’s

Two books that capture the special connection children share with their dads are Lost Lake written and illustrated by Allen Say and Enemy Pie written by Derek Munson and illustrated by Tara Calahan King .

In Lost Lake, a boy visits his overly-busy non-custodial father and finds himself craving a more intimate experience, one that moves beyond merely sharing the same residence. Both father and son struggle to express their thoughts and feelings in words. When Luke cuts up his dad’s magazine and tapes them to the wall, it takes two days before father notices. When Dad finally does, the boy asks, “Are you angry with me, Dad?” The dad dismisses the damage as meaningless “I’m having the place painted anyway.”

Luke thinks to himself, “He thought I was talking about the marks on the wall.” This line implies so much poignant emotion. Whether in a divorced family or not, kids will readily identify with the feeling of invisibility and the yearning for focused one-on-one time with a parent. In typical child-thinking, the boy assumes the blame for his dad’s aloof behavior and is saddened that Dad apparently thinks the question refers to the wall. Believing his Dad missed the point, the boy still wonders why Dad doesn’t talk to him, wonders what he did to make his Dad angry and wonders how he can grab Dad’s attention.

As the story continues, we discover that Dad understood much more. They embark on a week-long journey to find Lost Lake. They discover so much more about themselves and their relationship. Persisting through set backs, pushing through the challenges, they trek on–together, in pursuit of a common goal. Their journey brings deeper understanding of themselves and a closer bond.

I liked this book because it depicted a non-custodial dad working to connect with his child but not in a common Disney Dad activity. Instead he chooses a less-chosen path and that makes all the difference. The exquisite water colors provide a lovely touch for the delicate tone of this book. I rate this five +++++.

Enemy Pie tackles a common experience for kids: a new child moves into the neighborhood and upsets the delicate balance of friendships and comes between best friends.

Learning to cope with the quicksilver changes of childhood allegiances is something all children face. They feel the betrayal, the confusion and the anger. Kids will understand the boy’s desire to wreak revenge–in the form of a huge slice of Enemy Pie– on the intruder.

What the boy never sees coming, is the magic of Enemy Pie lies not in the ingredients, but in the journey leading up to its being served.

In the vein of the classic Stone Soup, Enemy Pie delivers an unpredicted and satisfying conclusion to the boy’s dilemma. Dad creates a transforming experiencing without a single bit of preaching. Enemy Pie showcases Dad Wisdom at its best.

Both of these wonderful books reinforce the important role fathers play in their children’s lives. Buy or borrow a copy to share with your family today.