An intellectual and emotional workbook for teen-agers on the subject of pregnancy. The author gives each of his 14 fictional characters (five unwed mothers, five fathers, four family members or other interested parties) a chapter to describe his or her response to sudden parenthood. The characters have urban, lower-middle-class backgrounds, are mostly black or Hispanic, and face the situation with varying realistic combinations of confusion, fear, anger, hope and indifference. Myers tries to be nonjudgmental, but few of the men display courage or a sense of responsibility, and the one woman who has an abortion becomes unstable. The narratives are tenuously linked together, and finished with a "Seven Years Later" epilogue, but plot definitely takes a back seat to didactic purpose. Each chapter ends with several blank ruled pages: readers are invited to think about what they've just read and to write (on their own paper if they're reading a library copy) a relevant letter, daydream or essay. There's no physical violence or drug abuse here, but these tales are nonetheless very scary, and adolescent readers will find them involving and disturbing.
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 1987
ISBN: 0915924153
Page Count: 146
Publisher: Teachers & Writers
Review Posted Online: Oct. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 1987
More gift book than storybook, this is a meaningful addition to nursery bookshelves
A young child explores the unlimited potential inherent in all humans.
“Have you ever wondered why you are here?” asks the second-person narration. There is no one like you. Maybe you’re here to make a difference with your uniqueness; maybe you will speak for those who can’t or use your gifts to shine a light into the darkness. The no-frills, unrhymed narrative encourages readers to follow their hearts and tap into their limitless potential to be anything and do anything. The precisely inked and colored artwork plays with perspective from the first double-page spread, in which the child contemplates a mountain (or maybe an iceberg) in their hands. Later, they stand on a ladder to place white spots on tall, red mushrooms. The oversized flora and fauna seem to symbolize the presumptively insurmountable, reinforcing the book’s message that anything is possible. This quiet read, with its sophisticated central question, encourages children to reach for their untapped potential while reminding them it won’t be easy—they will make messes and mistakes—but the magic within can help overcome falls and failures. It’s unlikely that members of the intended audience have begun to wonder about their life’s purpose, but this life-affirming mood piece has honorable intentions. The child, accompanied by an adorable piglet and sporting overalls and a bird-beaked cap made of leaves, presents white.
More gift book than storybook, this is a meaningful addition to nursery bookshelves . (Picture book. 2-8)Pub Date: Sept. 15, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-946873-75-0
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Compendium
Review Posted Online: May 21, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2019
Little children will love this going to sleep book — a really fresh idea by a talented and prolific author, illustrated by Clement Hurd. In a soft sing-song, here is a bunny saying goodnight room, goodnight moon, goodnight to all the familiar objects in the softly lighted room. Then- as the room darkens, in successive pictures, the goodnight ceremony moves forward. The colors range from a bright, crisp red, green, yellow, to an almost black background. Despite the high price, which takes it out of the straight merchandise market, this is a good buy, from quality of text and pictures — and most of all, idea.
Pub Date: Sept. 3, 1947
ISBN: 0060775858
Page Count: 40
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: Oct. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1947
SEEN & HEARD
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