The Matchlock Gun

Walter D. Edmonds. Putnam Juvenile 1998, Paperback, 80 pages, $1.98

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Teunis and Gertrude Van Alstyne are Dutch homesteaders caught in the middle of the French and Indian War, and one night Teunis is called away to fight.  He leaves Gertrude, ten-year-old Edward, and six-year-old Trudy alone in their cabin, admonishing her to go to his mother’s house if Indians come their way.  But when Teunis sends word that Indians are coming, Gertrude decides to stay in the cabin out of dislike for her mother-in-law.  Although she rationalizes the decision by telling herself their enemies will leave them alone, she realizes too late that she and Edward must defend themselves.  The only weapon in the home is an antique matchlock gun, used as decoration above the door.

Throughout the text, Gertrude responds to fearful circumstances with calm fortitude, thinking through their plan and carrying out her role in it — but it is Edward on whom she depends to take the action that will save their lives.  There are few stories in which a child is given such an important and difficult task, and his courage and responsibility are awe-inspiring.

This true story starts out slowly, but steadily builds to reach a tremendous climax.  It is splendidly written, and illustrated with lithographic drawings that are impressive given technological limitations at the time of publication.  It is a good read-aloud for pre-readers, but because of the suspenseful nature of the story, sensitive children may need to wait until they are a little older to engage the story without being frightened.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

Eric Carle (Illustrator). Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) 1996, Board book, 32 pages, $4.32

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

This immensely popular toddler book features a procession of animals, introduced by the same chant addressed to the preceding animal: “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see?” The animal answers, “I see a red bird looking at me.”  Then the page is turned to reveal a red bird, who is asked the same question, and answers that a yellow duck is looking at her.  In this way a blue horse, green frog, purple cat, black sheep, and gold fish are introduced, who finally mention the teacher and children who are looking at them (presumably from outside the book, as well as being pictured in its pages.)

The predictable format, rhymic repetition, pleasing collage illustrations, and systematic introduction of colors with animal names have endeared this book to children and those who teach them since its publication 40 years ago.  It has been translated into many languages and is read around the world.  It is well suited to toddlers, and can also work as a confidence-building early beginning reader.

The Story of Ferdinand (Puffin Storytime)

Robert Lawson (Illustrator). Puffin 2007, Paperback, $5.77

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Ferdinand is a mild-mannered Spanish bull who (unlike his peers) has no aspirations to be chosen for a big bullfight in Madrid.  Instead, “he like[s] to sit just quietly and smell the flowers.”  But one day, when five men come to his pasture to choose a bull for the bullfight, Ferdinand sits on a bee, provoking him to act so crazy that the men choose him for the next bullfight.  When he arrives in the arena, he has to decide whether he will give in to the pressure to perform.

The story is rendered in charming ink drawings and is exceptionally well written.  The author makes gentle fun of the strutting bravado displayed by of the bullfight’s participants, while Ferdinand’s gentle response displays a unique kind of courage.  Some parents will see this story as a treatise against the violence and cruelty of bullfights, while others will view it as an example of someone being true to himself.  However you interpret it, this is an undeniably hilarious story that has been loved by children since its first publication in 1936.

It is fairly accessible to older toddlers and will also be enjoyed by early readers.  Since its original printing, a color version has become available, but its blotchy quality obscures the detail in the ink drawings, so I prefer the black-and-white version.

Pronunciation for Spanish words may be heard and viewed by clicking the links: Matador, Picador, Banderillero.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Lois Ehlert (Illustrator). Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing 1989, Hardcover, 40 pages, $4.98

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

This book tells a simple, pleasant story of junior members of the alphabet racing up a coconut tree, then falling out when the tree gets too full.  The letters are then rescued by their parents, the capital letters.  Very rhythmic and fun to listen to for small children, and a wonderful aid to learning the alphabet, although the “chicka chicka boom boom” refrain may get old for parents reading aloud.  It is illustrated in Lois Ehlert’s distinctive collage style.  There have been several songs written to supplement the book.

Now One Foot, Now the Other

Tomie dePaola (Illustrator). Puffin 2006, Paperback, 48 pages, $3.83

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Bobby has grown into mastery of basic motor skills under the loving supervision of his grandfather, affectionately named Bob. But one day he is terrified when Bob suffers a stroke and is fully paralyzed.  Everyone thinks Bob is unable to understand what is happening around him, but Bobby insists that his grandfather is responding to him.  Slowly and persistently,  he helps Bob regain motor control, leading him through all the same exercises that Bob used to help him gain coordination as a young child until he is able to communicate and get around under his own power.

The story is simply, carefully told so that young children can understand it, but all readers will grasp the profound implications of Bob’s disability.  Bobby (who is not a perfect child) models what it means to take care of others — even those who may have always taken the helping role toward him.  While sometimes frightening, the story’s drama may help young children come to terms with the limitations of people in their lives and teaches them that they can have an important helping role.  In the midst of fear and weakness, this picture of tender intergenerational love is very beautiful.

The Mitten

Jan Brett. Putnam Juvenile 1989, Hardcover, 32 pages, $4.54

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

In this Ukranian folktale Nicki, a young boy, asks his grandmother Baba for snow-white mittens.  She protests that he will lose them in the snow, but because he wants them so badly she complies and knits some for him.  When he goes out to play, he does lose one, and it is found by a chilly mole who cosies up inside to get warm.  When a rabbit happens by, he crowds into the mitten, followed by a hedgehog, an owl, a badger, a fox, and a bear.  Finally a tiny mouse comes along and, perching on top of the great bear’s nose, causes him to sneeze, and all the animals tumble back out.  The mitten is thrown into the air and Nicki, on his way home, finds it.

The story is told with well-paced, pleasant repetition and a funny, dramatic climax with a visual joke at the end, as Baba inspects the mysteriously enlarged mitten.  Nicki is a likable and energetic child with a nurturing, sensible adult caretaker, and the animals are rendered in their animal characters, with only a shade of human personality.  But it is the gorgeous illustrations that really make this story: each scene is rendered beautifully, enclosed in elaborate borders that include the traditional folk art of the region, with “peek-ahead” sights of Nicki’s activities as well as the next animal that will be introduced.  This story will surprise and delight children from a wide range of ages, from toddlers (there is a simplified board book version just for them) to readers.

Rascal (PMC) (Puffin Modern Classics)

Sterling North. Puffin 2004, Paperback, 192 pages, $2.90

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Rascal is an autobiographical story about a boy growing up in a small American town during World War I,  in which young Sterling takes in a young raccoon as a pet.  It is exceptionally well written, receiving a Newbery Honor award in 1964. North’s wonderful depictions of outdoor experiences, detailed descriptions of Rascal’s behavior, and the warm affinity that grows between Sterling and Rascal have earned this book its classic status.  It is a wonderful boy book, with many companionable scenes between Sterling and his loving father.

For parents and teachers who wish to cultivate a Christian worldview in their young readers, the story should be considered with some caution.  First, there are no whole and healthy families depicted in the story.  Sterling’s widowed father, though kind, seldom offers guidance, but indulgently allows him to stay out until all hours, build his canoe in the living room, and lead a rather bohemian life. Sterling’s best friend, in contrast, lives in perpetual fear of his own father’s abusive anger.  The only marriage depicted in much detail is between Sterling’s aunt and uncle.  In this family his hardworking, saintly aunt, in worn but neatly mended sweater, quietly bows her head under the weight of her husband’s cruel joking.  None of these families represent God’s design for loving family life with a father and a mother.

Not only is the family not modeled well, but North shows religion in a negative light through his hilariously colorful depiction of the local Methodist pastor, a foul-mouthed, “terrible-tempered minister of the Gospel.”  The stories about Reverend Thurmond are undoubtedly based on true events, but readers may interpret Thurman’s hypocritical behavior as representative of genuine Christianity.

The story unfolds in the shadow of World War I, and near the end of the book Sterling compares the war to his practice of trapping animals.  He makes a “truce” with the animals of the forest, promising never to hunt them again.  This boyish gesture seems to reveal an underlying belief that humans and animals have equal status.  This view is at odds with the biblical teaching that God created humans to be the caretakers and rulers of the rest of creation (Genesis 1:27-28; Psalm 8:4-8).

North’s view of human equality with animals is not surprising, given the fact that elsewhere he expresses his support for evolution.  At the romantic high point of the story, when Sterling roams the woods alone with Rascal while camping near beautiful Lake Superior, he recalls a time when his dearly departed mother had

tried to explain the story of creation in the Bible as a means by which a primitive and poetic people sought to record the beginning of things… plants and animals had evolved from the simpler forms of life to the wonderfully complex flora and fauna of our present era.  And I had thought there was no one more gracious or knowing than my mother, and nothing more pleasant than the sound of her voice.  She seemed very close to me now as Rascal and I made our way up the branch of the Brule (92-93).

Later, Sterling asks his teacher wistfully if raccoons might evolve into humans someday, and she doesn’t laugh at his question.  This makes him feel she is “a very special person” (139).  These two highly-charged, emotional encounters with important women in Sterling’s life present the reader with an unsubtle, positive appeal for the theory of evolution, made more powerful because the appeal is emotional rather than rational.

The story is very well written and will be enjoyed by anyone who loves animals and the outdoors.  It will be especially attractive to boys, with its masculine-romantic view of nature and his bohemian life with his father.  However, North’s depiction of families, religion and the created order (especially the origin of life) are sometimes at odds with a biblical worldview.  Although it is written at an 8-12 reading level, Christian parents may want to wait to introduce this book until readers are old enough to read it with discernment.

Winnie-the-Pooh (Pooh Original Edition)

Ernest H. Shepard (Illustrator). Puffin 1992, Paperback, 176 pages, $1.75

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Winnie-the-Pooh has been beloved by several generations because of the wonderful way Milne captures the imaginative play of children. In this book, he introduces the characters of Christopher Robin, Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Rabbit, Owl, Kanga, and Roo, and their adventures commence.  These are the sort of pretend adventures a child might enact alone with their stuffed toys, but they are written with the sophisticated and original perspective of an adult who develops each toy as a unique character, and this takes the simple stories to a higher level.

Milne’s excellent writing, wonderful use of language, subtle and silly sense of humor, and the unforgettable eccentricities of his characters make the world of Pooh a delightful place.  Like other classic children’s stories, Winnie-the-Pooh may not appeal to every reader, but every child ought to have a chance to experience it.  If it is enjoyed at first, successive readings will provide even greater appreciation as the children grasp more of the story’s subtleties.  Since much of the humor hinges on dialogue, such as Rabbit’s “Oh, must you?” when his greedy guest announces his departure, younger children may need adult help understanding some of the story events.

Winnie-the-Pooh will appeal best to children are old enough to engage in imaginative play.   It’s a good read-aloud for the 4-8 crowd, but the 8-12 age group will also enjoy it as a read-alone.

Babe

Mary Rayner (Illustrator). Yearling 1995, Paperback, 128 pages, $0.99

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

When the kind and taciturn Farmer Hoggett wins a piglet at the local fair, Mrs. Hoggett makes plans to fatten him for bacon and Christmas ham.  But Fly, the sheepdog, decides to foster the orphaned piglet, and when Fly’s puppies leave home Babe is left as her companion.  He imitates everything she does, determined to become a “sheep-pig,” and what he lacks in speed and intimidation he makes up for in friendly courtesy, winning the flock’s cooperation and loyalty.  He distinguishes himself by saving the flock from sheep-rustlers and marauding dogs, and finally wins first prize in the Grand Challenge Sheepdog Trials.  By this time, of course, his future is assured.

Children who have enjoyed Charlotte’s Web and James Herriot’s Treasury for Children will love this story, which is exceptionally well written with humor, pathos, and drama.  The characters are wonderfully drawn, and Babe exemplifies loyalty, courage, determination, and courtesy while Fly provides a compassionate motherly figure who provides him with the means to distinguish himself.  An outstanding read.

Charlotte’s Web (Trophy Newbery)

E. B. White. HarperCollins 1974, Paperback, 192 pages, $1.98

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Wilbur is a white, runty pig who lives in Homer Zuckerman’s barn.  He is childish, innocent, and amiably piggy, and has two good friends: Fern, the girl who rescued him at birth, and Charlotte, a spider who eats the flies drawn to his pen.  One day the old sheep informs Wilbur of his future as bacon and ham, and Charlotte promises to rescue him from this dreadful fate.  How she intends to keep her promise remains to be seen, and her plan unfolds in chapter after delightful chapter.  The story closes soon after her natural death, and Wilbur, mourning her loss, welcomes her children into his life.

This memorable story provides an example of genuine, loving friendship, which blooms among the hard realities of farm life: Charlotte does trap and eat insects, and the people do kill their animals.  But even given their carnivorous inclinations, the people are goodwilled and faithfully care for their livestock.  Both the human and animal characters are well developed with a careful eye to human nature.  The geese are hilariously goosey, and the old sheep provides several instances of savvy wisdom.  Templeton the rat is memorable in his odious self-centeredness, providing a contrast to Charlotte’s generous love.  The general tone of the book is warm, which makes Charlotte’s death stand out in profound sadness.  But it is these contrasts that have made this story such an enduring classic — the reality of death and pain make joy and love all the sweeter where they exist.

This is a chapter book with occasional illustrations, and should appeal to ages 5-10.  Because its story quality appeals to a wide age group, I recommend it as a first chapter book, although parents should be aware that Charlotte’s death may come as a shock to sensitive listeners.