I picked a book at random and read it on Saturday, and despite the fact that it is well-written, fast-paced, and has boy appeal, I hesitate to recommend it. Why? Because Lowji Discovers America is a book about an Indian boy written by an American woman with no discernible Indian background, and I find that troubling.
I feel like a real stick-in-the-mud because of this, but I just can't see myself recommending this book to an actual child. In the case of an Indian or Indian American child, it would feel presumptuous to say, "Here is my country's take on your cultural experience." In the case of a child from a different background, I would worry that I'm promoting an inaccurate portrait of another culture's experience. Lowji's voice rings true to me, but then I am also an American woman with no discernible Indian background.
So, there you have it. Lowji Discovers America is a refreshingly light-hearted look at what it's like for a nine-year-old Indian boy to move to a small town in Illinois, but it's by a white chick, so do with that what you will.
(P.S. - This South Asian woman doesn't have a problem with it, so maybe it's just me.
Viewing: Blog Posts Tagged with: Monkey Business, Most Recent at Top [Help]
Results 1 - 3 of 3
.jpg?picon=1384)
Posted on 2/25/2008
Blog: KidLit Advisory (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: south asian characters, Add a tag
.jpg?picon=380)
By: Mark,
on 5/17/2007
Blog: Just One More Book Children's Book Podcast (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Podcast, Interviews, Monkey Business, Wallace Edwards, IRA2007, Special Series, Alphabeasts, Add a tag
This episode of Just One More Book! is part of our showcase coverage of the International Reading Association’s 52nd annual conference.
Mark speaks with author and illustrator Wallace Edwards about playing with language and art to inspire children to think differently.
Books mentioned:
Participate in the conversation by leaving a comment on this interview, or send an email to [email protected].
Tags:Alphabeasts, IRA2007, Monkey Business, Wallace EdwardsAlphabeasts, IRA2007, Monkey Business, Wallace Edwards
By: Just One More Book!!,
on 4/17/2007
Blog: Just One More Book Children's Book Podcast (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Ages 0-3, Ages 4-8, Picture book, Beautiful, childrens book, Fun, Animal, Realistic, Busy, Hilarious, Visual, Gorgeous, Language, Activity/Game, idioms, Monkey Business, Wallace Edwards, Podcast, Add a tag
Author: Wallace Edwards
Illustrator: Wallace Edwards
Published: 2004 Kids Can Press
ISBN: 1553374622 Chapters.ca Amazon.com
Ever wonder what pops into puzzled little minds when you throw them a new expression? This clever book, cluttered with texture, humour and eccentricity, may have your answer.
You can find a thorough and informative analysis of this book here.
Mark will be covering the International Reading Association’s 52nd Annual Conference “Literacy without boundaries”, May 13-17, 2007 in Toronto. If you’ll be there and are interested being included in the JOMB coverage of the event, please contact us at [email protected] to set up an interview.
This web site and podcast are great ideas. :)
Similar to what you said in the podcast, I find that Monkey Business (as well as Alphabeasts and especially Mixed Beasts) are very re-readable. My son, who’s 5, loves to look at the pictures over and over because they are so dense: they’re full of little jokes and wonderful imagery.
Oh, and thanks for linking to my article!
I loved the idea of a book about idioms! I teach first grade and I am continually backing myself into a corner with old-fashioned expressions that flow out of my mouth. How can I explain to my class what it means when they need to “hold their horses” and that this next assignment will be “a piece of cake.” This book seems like it will be the answer to my problem.
The clever illustrations that have intricate detail laced with humor are perfect for young children. They will be exposed to works of great artists and have fun “to boot!”
Thank you for exposing me to this fine work of are for children and adults alike.
This book sounds and looks very colorful. When I here you say that there is a monkey on every page, It just makes me want to get this for my collection. The critical literacy on understanding idioms and making connections to the real world is quit a challenge. Also, the book sounds like some sort of puzzle, this would be a challenge for children to understand, why and where the monkey is located, and for what reason the author placed the monkey in that position. Thanks for the information, it’s most enlighting.
Sounds like a fun book, can’t wait to read it to the kids!
-Charles
The discription of the book,makes me think I think of an exciting adventure.
I can relate this to “ME LLAMO CELIA ” which tells of the life of Celia Cruz.
This book is extremely colorful and exciting, with the bright yellows, burnt oranges, bright greens and purple pictures.
The books tells of her life in Cuba, where coffee, sunshine, bright moonlit nights, story telling, fresh fruit and birds of bright colours are talked about.
Bright colorful comstumes become a part of her career as a singer.
SUGAR: used as an idiom to a singer signifies a strong, smooth and sweet voice.
Children coming from an old school home environment, would understand most idioms used by their parents.
I look forward to reading Monkey business to my class.
I hope it comes in Spanish.
Thank you for sharing such an interesting and fun book. It seems to be a book that can be shared by children and adults together, enjoying the art, details, and humor. The English language is filled with expressions that literally make no sense, but have deeper meaning in a social context. It is important to be able to decipher the hidden meanings of these idioms and know when to use them in conversation. This book seems like a great way to expose children to this type of language. Furthermore, kids get excited about plays on language and I see “Monkey Business” as having the potential to get my students interested in reading, observing, and analyzing text.
This books seems to be very colorful as well as exciting. It looks like tons of fun for a child as well as for an adult and a child to enjoy together. As a third grade teacher I am always making references “using idioms” within the classroom that my students do not understand. This book can help apply the real world connections for my students that are not just auditory learners. This book is exactly what I can use to make the connection for my students that are visual learners. This book is one that I need to add to my reading library.
Even though I teach the 5th grade, they still struggle with understanding idioms. So thanks for sharing such a great picture rich story. It sounds like this book with help me clarify the idioms that I use in class along with the ones that we read in our text. I love the fact that this book draws students in visually, while also challenging students to loook beyond the words and explore the meaning of the text. The book also looks and sounds like something I might enjoy reading to my class leisurely. Once again, thanks for sharing.
[…] 21. Laura (Fall on Your Knees)22. Sandy D. (I Can’t Stop! A Story about Tourette Syndrome)23. Miss Erin (Beauty Shop for Rent)24. Miss Erin (Millicent Min, Girl Genius)25. Alyssa (To Dance)26. QBR (Simple Genius)27. (QBR) Lethally Blond28. (QBR) Edgar Font’s Hunt For a House To Haunt29. Carol (The Cloister Walk)30. Carol (Book Sale Finds)31. Lori (The Last Town on Earth)32. Lori (Virus Hunter)33. Becky (Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing)34. Quixotic (The Austere Academy)35. Just One More Book! Children’s Book Podcast (Monkey Business)36. Cathy (The River King–Alice Hoffman)37. booklogged (The Magician’s Nephew)38. Framed (Water for Elephants)39. Framed (X Stands for Unknown)40. Susan (The Extremes) […]
[…] Monkey Business […]