GOOD NEWS

by Eloise Greenfield ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 1, 1977

James Edwards is excited because he has learned to read some words, and he runs home from school to tell Mama. But she only says, ""That's nice, James Edward,"" and, instead of listening to him read, asks him to amuse baby Deedee so she can fix dinner before she goes to work. Coming out of his own funk when Deedee starts to feel neglected, James Edward tells her his news--and ""even though she didn't know what it meant"" she laughs with him. The deflating ""That's nice"" from a busy mother will win James Edward sympathetic allies, and the black family and working mother will score with librarians on the lookout for that extra recognition. There's not much to it, however, beyond the cathartic model, and though Cummings' deco-ratively framed drawings are full of motion, they too suggest the tame domestic content. Still, as Greenfield avoids manipulation and false solutions, it's a creditable example of its limited genre.

Pub Date: June 1, 1977

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Coward, McCann & Geoghegan

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 1977

Categories: CHILDREN'S