Giant Steps to Change the World
June 18, 2011 – 6:16 am
Reviewed by author, Pam Allyn.
You may be familiar with Spike Lee’s films, however he and his wife, Tonya Lewis Lee, have made a successful leap into the realm of children’s books, with Please, Baby, Please (Simon Schuster, 2002) and Please, Puppy, Please (Simon Schuster, 2005). This latest addition is an inspirational call to action for our girls (and boys!), showing them how they too can make a big impact on the world. The Lees write in a voice that feels open and friendly for younger girls but will inspire upper elementary-aged girls as well. Each page refers to a hero from our global history, but does not name that person. Instead the Lees use their struggles as fuel to motivate our girls to see no injustice as insurmountable, “If you stare at a painting and do not see yourself there, paint your own portrait. Let the world see that you do exist” This page refers to the challenges overcome by the artist, Jean-Michel Basquiat. The visual metaphors provided by Sean Qualls’ collage-like illustrations give each page’s advice and encouragement a beautiful depth that manages to stay true to a child’s playful sprit. The book’s end papers also feature attributed quotes from each person mentioned anonymously within the story, so you and your girl can guess which person belongs with each page. The message is brought home with a challenge for our girls at the end, “What’s your next step going to be?” That is a question you can ponder with your girl each and every day. No matter how small our children are, they can have an impact on the world and they are never to young to receive our love, support and encouragement to do just that.
ABOUT THE REVIEWER:
Pam Allyn is the author of The Complete 4 for Literacy, a guide for educators, and coauthor of the six-book series The Complete Year in Reading and Writing. She is also the author of What to Read When: The Books and Stories to Read With Your Child and All the Best Times to Read Them. Pam is widely known as a motivational speaker on the subject of raising lifelong readers and writers. It is her personal quest to bring literacy to every child stems from a deeper desire to bring dignity to every child, and to empower children to read and write powerfully, effectively and with passion and delight. Her hope is that all children will grow up able to fulfill their dreams and leave their positive imprint on the world. Pam has started a not-for-profit, LitWorld International, Inc., to further this vision.
Similar Posts:
- Giant Steps to Change the World
- The Best of Girls to the Rescue
- How to Talk to Little Girls
- Young female athletes at risk for stress fractures
- Preschool Winter Activities: Snow Theme
