Today we remember those we lost through the September 11 attacks. How do you explain to a child about this horrific day? Here are 5 books that touch on this time in history-as painful as it is- and sheds light in a time of darkness....
September Roses (FSG, 2004) a small touching book with a story based fact about two South African women (on their way to a flower show) who were stranded in the aftermath of September 11th with thousand of roses. The women use the rose petals to create create a memorial in Union Square. The book demonstrates the way people responded after the tragedy.
In On That Day: A Book of Hope for Children (Tricycle, 2002) Andrea Patel does not dwell on the tragedy but rather the good people can do in the world.
FIREBOAT: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey (Putnam, 2002). Maira Kalman uses the history of New York City and that of an actual fireboat to gently show the events of September 11th and the role of firefighters on that tragic day.
14 Cows for America (Peachtree, 2009) by Carmen Agra Deedy is a book based on fact that shows how people reacted to the horrific events that took place in America on September 11th. The book exposes children to the culture of the Massai people in Kenya and how they reacted to the story of 911with a gift of 14 Cows for America .The Little Chapel that Stood (Newcastle, 2003) by A. B. Curtis. It tells the story of St. Paul's Chapel that stood in the shadows of the World Trade Center buildings and survived the destruction of the day.
I am a fan of picture book biographies and always excited when I find one that is about something
unexpected. In The Bag! written by Monica Kulling introduces us to Margaret Knight, an exceptional woman from the 1800's who invented the flat bottom paper bag.
I enjoyed this book thoroughly and would recommend it highly. Not only is it interesting to learn about the birth of something we take for granted but it is also inspiring to read about a woman during a time that being ingenious and self reliant were a negative.
Monica's clear and concise writing makes this biography easy for children to retain and marries well with David Parkin's realistic yet slightly caricaturistic style.
I had the honor of interviewing Monica and I know you will find the backstory to In The Bag! just as entertaining as I did. Thanks, Monica!
How Did In the Bag Come To Be?<
Bookstart offers the gift of free books to all children at three key ages before they start school, to inspire a love of reading that will give children a flying start in life.
Be sure and check it out, it's a lovely website full of great content!
Okay, I know technically this isn't a children's book but it is a comic...and hilarious.
This is a
"Pearls Before Swine Gift Book" about friendship and once you get the hang of the croc "language" it is such a fun read. Next time you are at the bookstore, look for this and the others in the series. Here is an example but there is something about reading several of them that connects you with the characters and has you laughing out loud. Fun stuff.
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Stephen Pastis Bio:
Stephan Pastis was once a "love me tender" lawyer who created Pearls Before Swine to relieve boredom. He lives in his own Graceland in northern California with his wife, two children, and his blue suede shoes.
I have a confession that I had never heard of this line of graphic novels by Jeff Smith until I was at my kids middle school a few weeks ago. I was sitting next to a young man (8th grader) in the school's office and he had his nose buried.
I said, " That looks like a cool book, what's it about?".
His eyes lit up as he went on to tell me about the adventures of three "bone cousins" from "Boneville" on a quest to outwit dragons, monsters and evil that is threatening mankind.
Looking at reviews it seems to be similar in flavor as "Lord of the Rings" but in humorous comic form.
He finished by saying, "I get really bored when I have to read but this keeps me entertained ."
Hey, works for me. I know first hand how difficult it can be to get boys interested in reading so I'll go on his word and recommend this series!
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thank you for sharing this with us. it's a day that we will never forget and these books are all wonderful ways to help teach our children.
Thanks for your comment, Heather. Yes, a day never to be forgotten.
What a great post, Roz. I really had never seen any of these books, but I'll have to seek them out now. Thank you.