Working for a Kinder World
28 Dec 2011 2 Comments
in After 9/11, Peace stories, Picture Books Tags: Ann Dunham, Maya Soetoro-Ng
Soetoro-Ng, Maya. Ladder to the Moon. Illus.by Yuyi Morales. Candlewick, 2011. 
Don’t let appearances deceive you; Ladder to the Moon, the debut picture book by Maya Soetoro-Ng, is not some simple book to lull a little one to sleep. This author sets out to weave a hopeful and fantastical story that embraces the whole world’s humanity.
Inspired by memories of her mother, Ann Dunham — also President Barack Obama’s mom — telling her stories at night, Ms. Soetoro-Ng takes us on a journey from here to the moon and back.
We meet Suhaila, a small, curious girl who asks her mama, “What was Grandma Annie like?” Her mom replies, “Your grandma would wrap her arms around the whole world if she could.” Later that night, as the child lies in bed pondering her mother’s words, a golden ladder appears outside her window. At the bottom stands her grandmother, “her silver-bangled arms outstretched and tinkling. ‘Do you want an adventure, my dimpled child?’ ” she asks.
Together, Suhaila and her grandmother climb the ladder to the moon, where they can gaze down and observe the full range of wonder and woe taking place across the universe. Grandma Annie shares her wisdom with the girl, and urges her to listen to the moon’s songs, to observe how people need help, to join others in the work that needs to be done. She does not shield Suhaila from the world’s troubles, whether they be tsunamis, earthquakes, or “two tall towers that trembled and swayed on quaking soil.” Annie goes on to encourage her little one to see how people around the world survive tragedy by relying on faith, love, hope, community.
This imaginative plot soars off with the swirly, radiant acrylic paintings by Yuyi Morales, three-time winner of the Pura Belpré prize. With her bold, thick brush strokes; energetic curves; and gorgeous azure and golden hues, she infuses the story with much mystery and movement.
Younger children will not understand all the implications of Ladder to the Moon, but older ones and caring adults might be inspired by Annie’s goal: “We’ll throw in our hearts and minds, and work with our hands to make the land a little more kind.” As we approach the new year, that seems like a wonderful goal, doesn’t it?
You can hear more about Soetoro-Ng’s childhood and her inspiration for this picture book in this interview.
For two simpler books that celebrate our global community, see these nonfiction books:
One World, One Day by Barbara Kerley
Books in the Key of Community
09 Sep 2011 Leave a Comment
in After 9/11, Peace stories, Picture Books Tags: DyAnne DiSalvo, Jude Daly, Kelly Cunnane, Maya Soetoro-Ng, Mem Fox, Peter Sis
I expected to encounter a heavy dose of post- 9/11 stories in the media this week, but such horrifying images are simply not appropriate for small children. Instead, it seems to me they need to hear about the importance of community. Across the world, communities, happily, come in all colors. Here are a few you might enjoy sharing with young ones:
Cunnane, Kelly. Chirchir Is Singing. illus. by Jude Daly. Schwartz & Wade, 2011. Ages 4-8.
Even a small child needs to find her place in her community. Chirchir, which means “born quickly,” lives in a village in western Kenya. This girl loves loves loves to make up songs. One bright day she wakes up determined to help the elders as they go about their work.
She sees Mama drawing water from the well and feels up to that task. Soon, though, she loses hold of the rope and falls. “Little one, this work is not for you,” says Mama. Each time Chirchir approaches a relative — to start a fire, spread mud on the floor, or to hoe potatoes — she hears that message.
Just when she’s feeling disheartened, she hears a cry and follows it to the hut where her infant brother has awakened. Her older brother, who had been responsible for tending him, lies fast asleep. How fortunate that Chirchir is ready and able to handle the job, for what better way to soothe a baby than to sing?
Chirchir’s small journey of self-discovery is pleasingly rendered by the South African artist Jude Daly, with folk-art paintings employing flat perspectives and a generous helping of leafy greens for the rural landscape. Echoing the hills’ curves are lively images of swirling flocks of swallows, a golden yolk of a sun, and an elongated swirl containing notes and images of her family at work that emerges from Chirchir’s mouth when she realizes she, too, has an important job to do.
Cunnane, author of For You Are a Kenyan Child (2006), has created another gentle, likable story that celebrates family life in Kenya. Her rhythmic, poetic language sparkles with specific images, such as the “winking silver circle of the well,” and with Chirchir’s lilting songs: “Jambo! Hello! Day is growing tall./ Wake up to green sunlight and rooster’s call!”
Educators will find this lyrical little story tailor-made for read-alouds and for incorporating simple instrumentation. Others will simply enjoy a fresh, sweet story that ends on a high note.
The author includes information about the setting and a glossary of the Kalenjin and Swahili words lightly sprinkled throughout the story.
For other great read-aloud titles see my post on 14 Cows for America and these hopeful ones:
