One Green Apple - Eve Bunting

Illustrator: Ted Lewin
For: Kids
Published: June, 2006
Rating: 5
Endpapers: Christmas green

The combination of Bunting and Lewin have created a wonderful book to make kids think about diversity and tolerance, and sets it right here in our own backyard. Although Farrah doesn't speak or understand a word of English and feels very different than the other children in her class, this book is the story of HER thoughts, HER point-of-view in this strange new world where no one else wears a dupatta and boys and girls are in class together. On this, her second day in an American school, the class goes to an apple orchard. Although all the other kids choose a red apple, she chooses a small green apple. As they are being tossed into the cider grinder, a few of the students try, too late, to protest her green apple - but they find that the cider is still delicious. So the book becomes an incredible METAPHOR! An especially cool way to teach metaphor to older students - just read this aloud and the imbedded message will be right there with the lesson. Love it, love it.

Ted Lewin has to be one of my very favorite realistic illustrators. His edge-of-page paintings capture expression and sunlight and sound so well - so when Farrah says her very first English word, APPLE, his full-page-head-shot captures the way she feels - tentataive, but proud and happy.

Walking to School - Eve Bunting

A Story from Northern Ireland
Illustrator: Michael Dooling
For: School-age kids
Published: Sept, 2008
Rating: 5
Read: Jan. 3, 2009
Endpapers: Deep Turquoise

I've grown up knowing about, but not understanding, the hate between Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland. Supposedly in 2007 some sort of peace agreement was begun. It seems there are always the few who relish the idea of this sort of friction, and do their best to keep it going. That appears to be Uncle Frank in this story.

Allison, a young Catholic girl in Belfast, Northern Ireland, must walk through a Protestant neighborhood to get to school. But the streets are lined with spitting, booing, yelling Protestants who make it really hard for the procession of Catholics to make their way. Allison hates it. On the second day someone pulls at her jacket and a button comes off. It rolls into the crowd and a Protestant girl her own age grabs for it. Allison thinks that the girl wants to triumphantly keep it, but she steps out into the street to hand it back. Allison then turns back and passes her lucky marble to the girl. The story ends:

I stare out of the window. What is she talking about? I don't feel like a hero. All I know is, I met a Protestant girl who was nice. She said she hated this fighting, and so do I. I think we could be friends, if we had the chance. I know we would.
If the grownups would let us.

There's an AUTHOR'S NOTE that gives a little more information.

The illustrations are oil on canvas, and very realistic. No white. Lovely writing, Eve Bunting can always be counted on to do it right! The illustrations are perfect for her story. This quote comes from the blurb about her on the back flap: "As a Protestant living in Ireland during "the Troubles," Eve Bunting saw prejudice from both religious groups. She say sthis story could have just as easily been about a Protestant child walking through a Catholic area ---"

Our Library - Eve Bunting

Illustrator: Maggie Smith
for: kids
published: Aug. 2008
Rating: 4.5 to 5
Read: 12/17/08
Endpapers: lime green

Bright, fun, and RIGHT ON! The illustrations in this book take diffferent forms. Right from the title page (a denim blue book surrounded by a vine of yellow flowers) I looked forward to turning to the next page. Colorfully delightful, perfect for kids AND grownups!

Set in a smalltown, homey library (reminds me of my old Northeast Harbor Library, and even the children's room at the Ellsworth Library - both on the coast of Maine), Miss Goose tells her brightly-dressed skunk, raccoon, squirrel, mouse, rabbit, and porpucupine patrons that the library is about to close forever because it's getting old and worn. So...they check out how-to books and get to work - fixing the roof, painting, and raising money to keep the doors open.

But at every turn, another problem. "We were flummoxed."

Book by book they read and network, finally convincing grumpy grandfather beaver to allow them land in his beautiful meadow so the library can be relocated. Oh the joy of books - reading - and libraries. A great, fun story.