Picture Book: That's Dangerous

Pittau, F. & Gervais, B. (2004). That's Dangerous. New York: Black Dog & Leventhal Pub. Inc.

While I classified this book as a picture book I feel it should be stressed that this is NOT for toddlers (c'mon folks be reasonable not reactionary). This book serves a very useful purpose. It is a great tool for introducing children to information literacy. The book is visually simple in text and illustration, the stories are absurd, and it is very apparent that there is a disconnect between the message of the text, the message of the illustrations, and the potential audience for the item. For example the text says that it is dangerous to play inside the dryer, but the illustrations clearly show enjoyment in this circumstance. The pictures seem made for toddlers, but is this book really intended to be a teaching tool for them? Life IS dangerous, and that is why teaching children to think critically about appearances and content is necessary, and this book will make that experience easy and enjoyable for all.

Picture Book: In the Night Kitchen

Sendak, M.(1970).In the Night Kitchen. U.S.A.: Harper & Row Publishing.

This book has endured its fair share of controversy since its initial publication. This is due to Christian outrage over Mickey's accurately drawn nudity and agnostic outrage over the religious parallel between Mickey, Christ, and the resurrection. Regardless, this book is a fun and fanciful tale with illustrations that I still evoke fond childhood memories (the dough outfit and plane that Mickey dons and flies still produce feelings of comfort and ease in me when I see them). I wonder how young kids, especially girls, would react to the nudity, but kids tend to be surprisingly open minded, provided they have a grounded upbringing. There is so much else to look at in the illustrations that Mickey's little penis should not prove to be the sole focus of a reader’s attention...and if it is, so what? Are we going to lie to our children and make them think they are the only ones with genitals? If you have a child who has enjoyed Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are this will be a good follow up read.

Realistic Fiction: Blubber

Blume, J. (1974).Blubber. New York: Dell Publishing

Despite being over 30 years old, this book seems more relevant today than ever. This book is frequently challenged due to the persistent cruelty that runs through the text. The story revolves around Jill, a girl in the fifth grade. There is a girl in Jill’s class, Linda, who has weight issues and after presenting a report on whaling she is dubbed, Blubber. Throughout the book there are issues of peer pressure, mob mentality, children's cruelty towards each other, and so on. In a society that is in the midst of an obesity epidemic the reality of Linda's situation hits home. There are many passages that are hard for even me, a perpetually skinny male, to read, which speaks to Judy Blume's ability to spin a convincing narrative. The reader alternatively feels Linda's pain, spite for the antagonism of her classmates, and relief that this isn't happening to them... but somewhere this story is happening to someone and that is why this book should be read.