Something From Nothing

(Written by Phoebe Gilman)

In the retelling of a traditional Jewish folktale, Joseph's baby blanket is transformed into ever smaller items as he grows until there is nothing left — but then Joseph has an idea.

(http://www.judaism.com/display.asp?fp=477&sp=22)

This story has a number of elements that makes it so wonderful for children to read, namely:

*relationship with grandparents

*family

*multiculturalism

*folktales

1. In this story, Joseph has a very close connection with his grandfather. In this society, do grandparents have the same significance that they once had?

2. Is your relationship with your grandparents the same as Joseph's? Explain.

3. This is a traditional Jewish folktale. Of what use is this book to Roman Catholic parents?

4. Why are folktales generally good for children? (Feel free to look up this genre of literature on the Internet to further expand your understanding.)

I Love You Like Crazy Cakes

(Written by Rose Lewis and Illustrated by Jane Dyer)

Nearly everyone knows someone who has adopted a child, and more and more of these adoptions happen internationally. In simple, heartfelt language, I Love You Like Crazy Cakes tells the story of how one mother found her baby daughter by travelling to China. The story of that journey, based on the author's own experience, is a celebration of the love and joy a baby brings into the home.
(http://www.hachettebookgroupusa.com/books/60/0316525383/index.html)

No doubt that the adoption process is difficult for parents, especially if they are adopting a child from another country.

1. Using the Internet, locate the process that parents must undergo in order to adopt from a foreign country. What is the general procedure? Try to be as thorough and specific as possible.

2. Why do you think that parents are willing to adopt from another country other than their own? Do you think it is right?

3. Often times, we have seen on television shows when a character finds out that he or she is adopted, it is often a devastating revelation. Why do you think this is so?

4. What purpose does this book serve for both children who are adopted and those who are not?

The Giving Tree

(Written and Illustrated by Shel Silverstein)

This story of a boy who grows to manhood, and of a tree that gives him her bounty through the years, is a moving parable about the gift of giving and the capacity to love.

(www.kidsource.com/books/giving.tree.html)

1. Is this simply a story about a boy and a tree?

There is quite a bit of symbolism used in this story for the purpose of conveying a specific message. What is it?

2. If you were to use this book to teach your children about religion, how would you go about doing so?

3. In what way is the boy like all children? Who does the tree represent?

Sister Anne's Hands

(Written by Marybeth Lorbieki and Illustrated by K. Wendy Popp)

A wise teacher will challenge her students to pay special attention and to talk about the words and images in the story that relate to hands… When Anna and Sister Anne meet, Sister reaches out to touch Anna's cheek, and Anna backs off as if Sister's hands were hot. Sister's helpful hands teach Anna to write neat cursive letters. And, when Sister Anne shares some of the hatred that she's felt in her life, she gently opens her students' eyes and their minds:
"One thing you're going to learn is that some folks have their hearts wide open, and others are tight as a fist…" (www.education-world.com/a_books/books098.shtml)

Historically, the civil rights movement was one of the most significant events in American history. The 1960's have come and gone, but aruguably this issue has not gone away. Clearly, this social justice issue did not play out in the same manner in Canadian history. That doesn't mean that the message of this book loses its relevance.

1. We have established that children learn social behaviour from their primary caregivers. Describe Anna's parents. Does she exhibit social behaviours that are reflective of her parents? Explain.

2. "Roses are red, violets are blue, dont' let Sister Anne get any black on you." This was written on a paper airplane that was thrown at Sister Anne by a student in her class. Explain why this is more likely the voice and feeling of an adult, rather than the voice and feeling of a child.

3. When Sister Anne showed the children the photographs the following day in the classroom, why were the children so shocked? Why do you think that they weren't aware of these events?

4. What is the significance of hands in this story?

5. Comment on the responsibility that parents have in terms of influencing their children's social behaviours and why reading a book like this will help them in teaching their children valuable life lessons about the people that their children share the world with.

6. In your opinion, is it "bad parenting" when a parent has demonstrated racist social behaviours, even though they have provided all the basic necessities of life and appear to love their children unconditionally? Explain your position thoroughly.