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Monthly Archives: March 2018

The Heart of Fiction <3 Learning compassion through reading

30 Friday Mar 2018

Posted by Elizabeth Fais in Books, Fiction, Inspiration, Reading

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Amy June Bates, Annie Murphy Paul, Charles Santoso, Compassion, Coretta Scott King Honor Award, E.B. Lewis, Each Kindness, Elizabeth Fais, Jane Addams Peace Award, Jaqueline Woodson, Juniper Bates, Katherine Applegate, Kirkus Reviews, Newbery Medal, Publishers Weekly, Reading, The Big Umbrella, Wishtree, Your Brain on Fiction

You step into the shoes of the characters when you read a story, and see the world through their eyes, live their experiences, and feel what they feel. Through this process your world expands, as does your sensitivity to others. Being able to understand what another is going through and sympathizing with their situation is a direct result of reading fiction. It is the heart of compassion.

Book with pages folded into a heart

Embracing the heart of fiction

A New York Times article, “Your Brain on Fiction”, by Annie Murphy Paul, brought to light studies that prove reading fiction helps us to make sense of the world, teaching us how to cope in positive ways. In this way, empathy and compassion are learned through fiction.

The titles I’ve highlighted below are just a few of the shining examples in children’s literature that embody acceptance, compassion, and empathy. You can ask for a more extensive list at your local library or indie bookstore.

The Big Umbrella

Amy June Bates cowrote this heartwarming story of acceptance and inclusion with her The Big Umbrella, coverdaughter, Juniper, while they were walking to school in the rain. Later, she enhanced their story with her lush illustrations.

By the door there is an umbrella. It is big. It is so big that when it starts to rain there is room for everyone underneath. It doesn’t matter if you are tall. Or plaid. Or hairy. It doesn’t matter how many legs you have. Don’t worry that there won’t be enough room under the umbrella. Because there will always be room. (Synopsis)

“A subtle, deceptively simple book about inclusion, hospitality, and welcoming the ‘other.’” —Kirkus Reviews

Each Kindness

Jaqueline Woodson (author) and E.B. Lewis (illustrator) demonstrate how each kindness Each Kindness, covermakes the world a better place, in this bittersweet story that resonates with all ages. Each Kindness won the Coretta Scott King Honor Award and Jane Addams Peace Award. Jaqueline Woodson is the 2018-2019 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature.

Chloe and her friends won’t play with the new girl, Maya. Every time Maya tries to join Chloe and her friends, they reject her. Eventually Maya stops coming to school. When Chloe’s teacher gives a lesson about how even small acts of kindness can change the world, Chloe is stung by the lost opportunity for friendship, and thinks about how much better it could have been if she’d shown a little kindness toward Maya. (Synopsis)

“Combining realism with shimmering impressionistic washes of color, Lewis turns readers into witnesses as kindness hangs in the balance. . . . Woodson . . . again brings an unsparing lyricism to a difficult topic.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

Wishtree

Katherine Applegate penned this endearing story of kindness, friendship, and hope Wishtree, coveras a balm for the wave of hate that has spread across our nation in recent years. Wishtree is a fable about a tree named Red, who brings a neighborhood together in compassion and inclusion—with the help of the other woodland residents—when it’s threatened to be torn apart by hate.

Trees can’t tell jokes, but they can certainly tell stories. . . .
Red is an oak tree who is many rings old. Red is the neighborhood “wishtree”―people write their wishes on pieces of cloth and tie them to Red’s branches. Along with a crow named Bongo and other animals who seek refuge in Red’s hollows, this wishtree watches over the neighborhood. You might say Red has seen it all. Until a new family moves in. Not everyone is welcoming, and Red’s experience as a wishtree is more important than ever. (Synopsis)

The lyrical trailer below showcases the deep and tender warmth of the story, combined with the innocence and beauty of Charles Santoso‘s illustrations.

“Never lose hope. Wishes have a way of coming true.”

From the Newbery Medal-winning author of The One and Only Ivan.



Literary Lepus ~ Rascally rabbits & their hare raising tales

13 Tuesday Mar 2018

Posted by Elizabeth Fais in Animals, Children's Literature, Fiction

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Beatrix Potter, Bunnicula, bunnies, Cece Bell, Children's Literature, Cumbria, Elizabeth Fais, Emily MacKenzie, England, Lepus, London, Miss Potter, Philippa Leathers, Rabbit & Robot the Sleepover, Rabbit and Robot, rabbits, Renne Zellweger, The Black Rabbit, The Sleepover, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, WANTED! Ralfy Rabbit Book Burglar

Bunnies are synonymous with new beginnings. They symbolize the start of Spring, and heralded the beginning of children’s literature as we know it today. A rascally rabbit named Peter was responsible for opening the door for the children’s book market, at the hand of Beatrix Potter.

The misadventures of rascally rabbits enthrall young readers just as much today as they did in Beatrix Potter’s time, as is proved by just a few of the current popular children’s book titles mentioned below.

Beatrix Potter’s rascally rabbit

Beatrix Potter (1866-1943) was a trailblazer for children’s literature, women, and the environment. Her first book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit (published by Frederick Warne in 1902) established the genre of fiction for young readers. As if that wasn’t enough, she pulled off this groundbreaking achievement in the late 19th century, when it wasn’t proper for women to work, especially in a professional field. Miss Potter (the 2006 film) provides endearing insights into the whimsical imagination of Beatrix Potter and the societal pressures of her times. It is delightfully inspiring. You can watch the trailer for the film below.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit, coverBorn in Kensington, London, Beatrix later moved to Hill Top Farm in Cumbria. A biologist and naturalist at heart, she bequeathed her beloved far, along with 13 other farms and over 4000 acres of land, to the National Trust on her death.

Beatrix Potter wrote and illustrated 28 books that have been translated into more than 35 languages and sold over 100 million copies. The Tale of Peter Rabbit is still Potter’s most popular and well-loved tale. It’s the story of a mischievous rabbit and the ensuing trouble he finds in Mr McGregor’s vegetable garden!

The Black Rabbit

Rabbit has a problem. He’s got a creepy companion he just can’t shake.cover art

There’s a large black rabbit chasing him.

No matter where he runs—behind a tree or over the river—the shadowy rabbit follows.

Finally in the deep, dark wood, Rabbit loses his nemesis—only to encounter a real foe!

Kids who love to be in on the secret will revel in this humorous look at shadows and friendship. (Synopsis)

Written and illustrated by Philippa Leathers, this charmingly adventurous tale will capture your heart.

WANTED! Ralfy Rabbit, Book Burglar

cover artSome rabbits dream about lettuces and carrots, others dream of flowering meadows and juicy dandelions.

NOT Ralfy! He only dreams of books.

In fact, he doesn’t just dream about them, he wants to read them ALL THE TIME—even if it means he has to STEAL them. Soon his obsession sends him spiraling into a life of crime! (Synopsis)

Written and illustrated by Emily MacKenzie, this heisty hare will have you laughing out loud!

Rabbit & Robot: The Sleepover

Meet the newest early-reader odd couple: fussy, compulsive Rabbit and overly logicalcover art Robot.

The hearty ridiculousness of a machine and animal hanging out together provides plenty of laughs as Rabbit tops his pie with carrots and lettuce, while Robot prefers bolts and screws.

Let’s not forget Rabbit telling Robot to turn down his Volume Knob anytime he yells, and the sight of Rabbit and Robot both wearing Rabbit-shaped pajamas, because Robot forgot his and had to borrow a pair. (Synopsis)

Written and illustrated Cece Bell, this delightful story of friendship is destined to be an all-time favorite.

Miss Potter ~ The inspirational life of Beatrix Potter


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