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Learning Lessons the Fun Way: Books for Kids
By Nicole Jones
Nov 08, 2001 -- In this issue of The Seattle Press, we inaugurate a series of book reviews featuring books for children. We will present a range of books appropriate for different age groups and interests. In this issue, reviewer Nicole Jones introduces three books by local authors: The Magic Kerchief by Kirby Larson, Enemy Pie by Derek Munson and Molly's Fire by Janet Lee Carey. The series will continue through December and possibly longer, depending on reader response. Let us know what you think of this new feature by e-mailing to editor@seattlepress.com.
Illustration by Rosanne Litzinger from The Magic Kerchief. |
Griselda is an old woman who never spares anyone her thoughts, even though they are usually hurtful. Although she pushes people away, she is lonely. But when an old woman asks to warm herself by the fire, Griselda begrudgingly agrees and eventually allows her to spend the night. To repay Griselda's kindness, the woman gives her a scarf, a magical scarf that provides great riches. While wearing the scarf, Griselda finds it impossible to utter anything harsh. When she returns home she scoffs at the woman's predictions, until everyone that Griselda encountered visits her, thanking her for her kind words and deeds, bringing her gifts, and asking to spend more time with her. When she looks for the magic kerchief later, it has disappeared. But, her new friends have not.
Larson demonstrates that kindness propagates more kindness. Although the story doesn't demonstrate how spite can cause others to react with equal cruelty, it does show how it evokes fear in people, exemplified by the expressions of the townspeople and their surprise when Griselda is kind to them. Compassion leads to selflessness which leads to helpfulness and fosters goodwill. Griselda's lesson is that sometimes it takes only one small act of kindness to be rewarded with "great riches."
Litzinger's authentic illustrations of German traditional clothing and the facial expressions of the townspeople are a complement to the powerful moral of the fable. Larson's humor lightens the tone which could be heavy without it.
Illustration by Tara Calahan-King from Enemy Pie. |
The narrator has only one enemy: Jeremy Ross. He is ruining the otherwise perfect summer. Dad bakes an Enemy Pie, empathetic because he once had an enemy, too. The narrator envisions an assortment of nasty fillings for the pie: weeds, worms, and his chewed gum. Dad instructs him to spend the day with Jeremy; it is the only way that Enemy Pie works. The boys spend a wonderful day together. When it's time to eat the Enemy Pie, which smells suspiciously delicious, the narrator warns Jeremy just before he takes a bite. He realizes that he genuinely likes Jeremy. The narrator never finds out if enemies really do have a reaction to Enemy Pie, because Jeremy isn't his enemy anymore.
Larson puts a new spin on the cliches, "You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar," and "Kill 'em with kindness." Positive conflict resolution is the theme of this delightful tale. It would be better if the narrator devised the solution to his problem on his own, instead of his dad duping him into it, or if he realized the Enemy Pie was a ploy. But, the important message is that he discovers he likes Jeremy because he gives the new kid a second chance. An enemy becomes an ally without much effort.
King's illustrations depict the characters with larger heads, allowing for detailed facial expressions that engage younger readers. Each page is a mural for the senses, including a fabulous close up of the elusive Enemy Pie. Kudos, also, to King for drawing the narrator wearing a helmet when he rides his bike.
Molly's Fire, Janet Lee Carey, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 196 pages, ages 9-13 (**)
Thirteen year old Molly Fowler refuses to believe that her father, a World War II pilot, died in Holland when he was shot down. Only her new friend, Peter, trusts her instinct. They buy a pocket watch that Molly believes is her father's from a German POW, certain that it is a sign that he escaped from his plane safely. Months after her father's disappearance, her mother is courted by another man. Molly despairs, until one night, soon after V-E Day, her father returns with the amazing story of how the courage of strangers kept him alive.
Middle-aged readers will benefit from reading about the lesser discussed topics of World War II: anti-Japanese sentiment and German POWs forced to replace the missing male workforce. Booklovers will be unsatisfied both with characterization and with the character's relationships. The main characters are 13 years old, but their actions and reactions to events and each other are often that of slightly older teenagers; the romance of Molly and Peter is an example. The author's strong points regarding the importance of remaining steadfast in your beliefs despite everyone's disapproval is a valuable message for this age group.
Nicole Janeen Jones is a freelance writer/editor. She is the nonfiction department editor for Moondance Magazine, an online journal dedicated to women and creativity. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin--La Crosse in 1996 with her BA in English and Psychology. She has had several short stories and poems published in literary magazines and in 1999 won the Eastside Writer's Association poetry contest.
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