Walking Home to Rosie Lee

Title:  Walking Home to Rosie Lee

Author:  A. LaFaye

Illustrator: Keith D. Shepherd

Publisher: Cinco Puntos Press

ISBN:  9781933693972

Audience: First grade and up, parents and children

Summary: Slavery separated many African American families as parents and children were sold and sent to different plantations. At the close of the Civil War these people were at last free to search for their loved ones. Freedmen’s Bureaus were established as clearing houses of information for people who were looking for their families. This poignant chapter in our history comes to life through Gabe, a boy searching for his mama, Rosie Lee. He joins the folks on the road who have freedom on their minds looking for work, dreaming dreams around night time camp fires, “all hope and hurry on.” Gabe’s memories of Rosie Lee-her sweet smell of jasmine, her good cooking, the yellow scarf around her neck, her sweet smile- keep him going month after month, town after town, until one day… The story ends with thanksgiving to God.

Literary elements at work in the story: This is a little known story in our tragic history of slavery that the author has researched through newspapers, diaries, articles and interviews. The story is told in Gabe’s voice that has a poetic, rhythmic quality.  The illustrations complement this voice with strength and feeling.

How does the perspective on gender/race/culture/economics/ability make a difference to the story? This is a story about poverty, prejudice, injustice, cruelty, sorrow that affects whole families but  it is not a story about passive or helpless people.

Theological Conversation Partners: The story of Gabe and Rosie Lee can engage us on two levels.  The first is the sad chapter of slavery in our nation’s history.  Adults and children of any race benefit from knowing this and giving thanks for changes.  The point is not to burden children with guilt but to help them see that such injustice can exist in our own society.  The lost boys of Sudan, refugee families, families separated by war and poverty are reminders that this tragedy exists today.  It’s a good plan to introduce children to something they can do when faced with wrong and the refugees of Sudan and now of Syria, offer an opportunity for prayer and gifts through denominational programs.  The second level is found in the yearning of Gabe and his mother for each other.  Psalm 90 begins, “Lord, you have always been our home. (TEV)” and home is not a place but a Person. The heart yearns for God as Gabe yearned for his mother. Jesus captured this in the story of the Prodigal Son. Luke 15.  Psalm 42:1,  63:1 are further statements of this yearning. For both Gabe and his mother, their relationship comes from God and rests in God. Parents and caring adults are a sign of God’s love and we can help children be aware of the Giver.

Faith Talk Questions:

1. Try to imagine what it would be like to have one of your parents taken to live in another town or place because they had been sold.  This was once a practice in our country.
2. Do you know of families that suffer separation today?
3. Have you ever been homesick?  Have you been homesick even if you were at home? Why?
4. Who helped Gabe as he was searching for Rosie Lee?
5. Are there adults as well as your parents who help you?
6. Why do we love our parents and adults who help us?
7. Jesus tells us that God is like a heavenly parent, father or mother, who wants to give us better gifts than even our real parents (Luke 11)

This review was written by regular contributor Virginia Thomas.

Island of the Skog

Name of Book:  Island of the Skog

Author:  Steven Kellogg

Illustrator:  Steven Kellogg

Publisher:  Dial

ISBN:  978-0803738423  (HBK)/978-0140546491   (PBK)

Audience:  Ages 4-8

Summary:  Jenny and her mouse friends take to the seas in search of a more peaceful place to live. But when they arrive what at first seems the island of their dreams, turns out to be an island is inhabited by the Skog.  This funny and exciting story is a perfect introduction to peace for young children.

Literary elements at work in the story:  Steven Kellogg’s use of comical illustrations and cute characters helps soften some of the harsher realities of this story.  His text gives voice to the need to find a new home.

How does the perspective on gender/race/culture/economics/ability make a difference to the story:  The mice live in a dangerous inner city environment.  The skog live alone on an island.  Neither is happy with the society in which they live.  The mice think taking over someone else’s world is the way to a better place to live.  The skog thinks fear will save his world.  Neither is right and conflict develops.  A good starting place for a discussion on what  society is, this book will also show children and how to bring peace instead of conflict.

Scripture:  Matthew 5: 9

Theology:  “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the children of God.”  What does it mean to be a peacemaker?  That is a question that has confounded many.  For some peace is going away from harm like the mice.  For others peace is saving yourself from those that will destroy your way of living.  However, true peacemakers find a way to do what the mice and skog eventually did.  Peacemakers learn to talk through a conflict and find a solution good for both sides.  Being a peacemaker is not easy.  It is only with God’s blessing that we can even hope to have the wisdom and strength to be peacemakers.  Next time someone speaks in anger or you speak in anger towards someone else, stop, pray, and think about how to turn your anger and fear into peace.  The mice and skog did.  You can too.

Faith Questions:

1.         Why did the mice sail off?

2.         Did everyone on the ship want to blaze their way and take over the island?

3.         How did the skog deal with the intruders?

4.         Which character in the book is most like you?

5.         What would you have done in Bouncer’s position?

6.         Who agreed to build a village and live together?

7.         How can we become peacemakers?

8.         What are some things that you can do to be a peacemaker?

Review prepared by guest blogger Janet Lloyd.

Make Way for Ducklings

Name of Book: Make Way for Ducklings

Author: Robert McCloskey

Illustrator: Robert McCloskey

Publisher: Penguin Group

Audience: Ages 4-8

Summary: This is the story about a family of mallards (mom, dad and 8 ducklings) who move from one home to another. In the parents’ quest to find a hatching location, they meet a police officer who will later help them with their move. When the ducklings are old enough, the father sets out to find a place to live and the mother cares for and teaches the ducklings, including moving them from one place to another. As they move to their new home, the police officer and fellow officers help to block traffic so that the family can make a safe journey to their new home.

Literary elements at work in the story: This picture book takes place in downtown Boston on the river and in the public park, and is told from the third person perspective of an omniscient narrator. The characterization includes the parent ducks caring for their children from before hatching and after, as well as them befriending humans who assist in their care.

How does the perspective on gender/race/culture/economic/ability make a difference to the story? The story is set in the 1940s in Boston and portrays primarily a white society as secondary characters. The culture is more upscale, based upon clothing, transportation and the location of the story. The assistance in the story comes from five white men, while the women simply “admire the cuteness” of the duck family. The assumption is that the only workers are male while women shop, walk animals and play with children. In contrast, however, the mother duck is the teacher and caregiver to the ducklings.

Scripture: Philippians 2:3-4

Theology: Because God created, loves and cares for humanity, we are to love and care for all of God’s creation. We are to put the interests, needs and care of others above the care of ourselves, as God did for us through Christ Jesus.

Faith Talk Questions:

1. Why did Mr. & Mrs. Mallard keep looking for a good place to hatch the ducklings?
2. Do you think your Mom and Dad make a safe place for you to live?
3. Does God want us to be safe?
4. Does God give us people to watch over us? Who are some of those people?

Review prepared by Union Presbyterian Seminary student Mason Todd