When I first opened up the book I was totally engrossed in the illustrations. Stephen Gammell's illustrations made the story a Caldecott Honor book. I love Gammell's attention to detail. His artwork compliments Rylant's simple text perfectly. The characters have such distinctive personalities created solely by the artwork. As I was looking through the book, I could imagine myself lying in the back of my parent's bananna yellow station wagon on a summer trip.
Upon closer inspection of the book, I started drawing connections to another one of Rylant's works When I Was Young in The Mountains. Both of these books were written by Rylant based on her memories of the four years she lived with her grandparents after her parents divorced. Her grandparents lived a simple life in the rural Appalachian Mountain region.
Both of these books paint a picture of a family we would all love to be a part of a warm, fun family full of love. A family that gives us a picture of Appalachian life contrary to all of the cultural stereotypes. When you are reading one of these books gone are the stereotypes associated with the Appalachian poor. The words redneck or hillbilly don't even pass through your mind. Rylant in these books defies the image of the poor, uneducated hillbilly by celebrating the beauty of these simple people.
All I can say is wow!
Does a picture book have the power to stop prejudices and streotypes from ever being created in the mind's of children? Can a picture book foster an attitude of acceptance of the differences that make us unique while embracing the similarities that make us human?
I am starting to think so.
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2 comments:
I like how you say this is a powerful text to break stereotypes. I checked it out from the library and thought it mostly depicted love, rather than rural. It's really sweet. I thought it was interesting how you mentioned the connection to Rylant's life. Where did you find that info?
Suzanne - I like how you asked yourself some deep and thought provoking questions at the end of your post. I have read this book to my class every year, but as always, it is eye opening to hear another teacher's take on a text. It gives me something fresh to add to my take and that in turn is delivered to my children. Are you familiar with Rylant's book When I Was Young in the Mountains? She also draws upon her personal experiences of growing up in a rural setting for that book. Have you had a chance to read her autobiographic book But I'll Be Back Again? In that, she talks about other experiences that she had growing up that are reflected in some of her writings, although because it was written in 1989, it only reflects on what she had published at the time. It would be interesting to read about her reflections NOW as an author, including her inspirations for things she has written to date.
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