"Essential Worker" Heroes- in Good Times and Bad

Anchoring this post in time: 
Day thirteen of local social distancing directives and schools closing, followed by other days of even stricter guidelines. I would never suggest that anything about all this is "a new normal", but it does feel as if I and others in my life are gradually establishing patterns that stabilize daily life a bit. Within those patterns I've been reflecting on gratitude. 

Image from https://www.wilddhearts.com

In these unprecedented times and circumstances, many are praising the daily, life saving work of medical personnel at every level, and well we should. Focus of praise is often on the front line folks in ICU settings, those testing, working as paramedics, and other visible professionals. There have been shout-outs to thank those at the checkout stations in grocery stores, gas stations, and pharmacies, too. 
Less often mentioned are those one-tier removed, those at the desks, phones, warehouses, and laboratories who provide the scaffolding that allows direct intervention and service to continue. Fewer still are songs of praise for the nearly invisible essential workers who are the foundation of that complex scaffolding system on which society depends: delivery drivers, housekeeping staff in all essential service centers, those reporting, writing, and distributing news in print and digitally, and our ever-on-duty police and firefighters. 
In these two weeks of home-based life, my trash collection service has remained consistent and as seemingly "automatic" as ever. I'm so grateful for the men and women who deliver those services. 

The following content appeared on a friend's FaceBook post recently, which she read and copied from her community's social media site:

"Hey community named here -- You may have been laid off or had your hours cut at work. You may have trouble paying your bills or feeding your family, but, rest assured, your city streets will be kept clean, by hook or by crook!! Yes, not only are the street sweepers out, they are even cleaning the ALLEYS!! ... Don't bother complaining to the Mayor. He will NEVER admit he's wrong. He will NEVER walk back a bad idea. He will CERTAINLY NEVER criticize a city department or suggest cuts. Keep paying your taxes!"

This was my friend's reply:

 "I am grateful for the streetsweepers and all city employees that perform services that keep our city functioning to the extent possible. I am grateful that the streets are being kept clean of debris and litter, which apparently some people are unable to put in trashcans themselves. Even if fewer people can drive on them, I'm glad the streets are being kept clean. I'm also glad that those people who do that work still have jobs. I'm glad they can continue to have income even though others don't right now. That is one way to keep the economy and society from collapsing completely."

(Shared with her permission.)

When it released, I wrote in praise of an outstanding picture book, MARVELOUS CORNELIUS: Hurricane Katrina and the Spirit of New Orleans, written by Phil Bildner and illustrated by John Parra.
Since writing that post and the reveiw (below) on Goodreads, I've read this one again several times, always enjoying it even more and on more levels:
On my second read, (because I was still wowed by the quality after the first read), I  wondered if it was or wasn't fiction. I knew it was "based on" a real man. The third time through I finally read the back matter. 
I'm a huge fan of back matter, but try not too read too early so that the "author's insight" won't shape my initial reactions. 
What I learned is that this is NOT biographical, any more that John Henry (which is based on an actual character) is biographical/nonfiction. Cornelius clearly incorporates things that are exaggerated, uses the language and patterns of tall tales, and absolutely captures the larger-than-life quality of a legendary hero.
It represents that amazing ability to appeal to older readers/adults and yet the youngest love it for the delight of the action and language as well as the kid-friendly folk-art illustration style. 

This book bounces, sings, and captures a city and culture as if it is character itself. Scenes shifts throughout, from the earliest pages where the grittiness is transformed by the touch (and hard work) of Cornelius to sparkling and appealing. Eventually, the overwhelming destruction of nature's force is countered by the binding and building of a community, inspired by the spirit of Cornelius. 
Beyond that, it offers all those connections to curriculum- geography, careers, infrastructures, the role of government, weather, community action, goal-setting, and more.


Before the first word there is the full page spread quotation by MLK, Jr. about the dignity of work. It's as if he had lived to know Cornelius, and his quote comes from his dealings with the garbage collection workers strike, an episode in his life that realtes directly to his assassination.

 "All the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, 

Here lived a great street sweeper who swept his job well."

I'd never try to out-write MLK, Jr, and it seems I can't  say it any better than a Janet Jackson post: "You are seen and forever appreciated!"

Profiles in Kindness: Biographies of Everyday Heroes

As I've been reading and examining picture book biographies, I've noted the challenge to portray famous adult lives and their accomplishments while not losing touch with the children from whom they grew.Two recent books do that particularly well. 

Abrams Books for Young Readers

YOU ARE MY FRIEND: The Story of Mister Rogers and His Neighborhood uses words by Aimee Reid and pictures by Matt Phelan to reveal the deep roots of Fred Rogers- as a child. 
With gentle, minimal text and images, the well-known adult Fred Rogers comes to life on the page first  as a sickly, timid, lonely little boy. Everyday experiences reveal his gradually developed ability to entertain himself with imagination (and puppets), to listen intently to those he trusted, and to absorb and apply their wise words in his own life. 
He finally developed the confidence to consider running along a stone wall. When he dared to ask permission, the gathered adults told him no. But Grandpa McFeely said yes, and then affirmed Fred's courage when the boy came back with a skinned knee.
Unlike some biographic picture books, this one successfully keeps the focus on Fred as a child long enough for readers to identify with him as a child. They are able to see him as an ordinary boy, one who could be in their classroom or neighborhood. 
Only then do they see him move ahead to become an observant, curious adult with a keen eye for making the world better. In one important case, a pivotal event, he imagined how making the new world of children's television could make the whole world a better place for... children.
Of all the ways he opened the world to young viewers, Fred Rogers never lost sight of those childhood messages: Look for the helpers, I believe in you, and you are wonderful just the way you are. The ways in which this ordinary hero changed lives is immeasurable.  This picture book biography plants the seed of truth: anyone can be a hero. Everyone IS a hero when they live up to their best selves.
Added back matter and resources are accessible and add valuable details and insights.

Clarion Press

The second biography that impressed me is LITTLE LIBRARIES, BIG HEROES, written by Miranda Paul and illustrated by John Parra. The narrative begins with another small boy whose struggle had to do with reading. That was a particular pain for a boy whose mother was a reading teacher and loved books. 
We quickly learn that she saw beyond her son's struggles and did not measure his worth by fluency. Instead she instilled a magical message in her son, Todd Bol, a seemingly ordinary boy. She shared her belief that he was gifted, that he could change the world, that he could do anything.
He never forgot that.
This book is as much a biography of the message as it is of Todd or any of the other cameo heroes included. Each had special gifts, ways of becoming heroes. 
This is the story behind the global movement that resulted in Little Free Libraries being built, registered, filled, and stewarded by people who love books and reading as much as Todd's mother did.
It is the story of Todd's search, as an adult, for a way to move beyond sadness when his mother died. To honor her, he decided to build and fill and steward a streetside little free library in her memory. 
This is also the story of Todd never giving up, believing his mother's message about making a difference. He moved his effort into nearby towns in Wisconsin with the help of a big-thinking buddy and volunteers, then on into public awareness, then on into communities around the country and around the world as his message spread.
It also offers anecdotes of  just a few everyday people who took on the role of Little Free Library stewards in their own communities, celebrating individuals for bringing the love of books and reading to their neighbors. Some of those stewards launched their efforts as  young as six years old.
In this book, too, the added details and resources in back matter elevate an inspiring story to nonfiction excellence and mentor writing. Content includes added details, but also notes links to learn more about this global effort. The nonprofit organization website allows you to explore a world map of active locations, find more individual stories, and learn how to become a steward in your own neighborhood.

How we define our heroes probably defines us.  

We sometimes urge kids to look beyond media-enhanced superheroes to recognize admirable folks in their midst, the ones who make a daily effort to live up to and exceed the responsibilities of life. 
Not often enough, I'm afraid.
With kids, that effort often yields a more fully developed understanding of role models, of leaders, of  admirable human qualities. Young people may interview and write about those close-at hand heroes, too.

As we pause in gratitude for all that we have, as we gather today and throughout the upcoming holidays, I urge you to share stories of the personal heroes you found in your own lives, especially when you were very young. Share some stories of how Mr. Rogers was a part of your life.

After a full meal, gather up some gently loved books to exchange and take a walk to a Little Free Library near you. (Check the map!) If there is none near you, why not open a conversation about becoming an steward in your own front yard. 

And remember, before stumbling into heated or hurtful conversations, that the young ones gathered round are watching, listening, and absorbing what you say and do. What they see and hear, directly and indirectly, will shape who they one day become. 

As Fred's Grandpa McFeely told him, what he always remembered and grew up to share, "You are wonderful just the way you are."

Happy Thanksgiving.

Folk Tales and Facts: Marvelous Cornelius (One that got away)

Updating this with a link to one of my earliest posts, explaining why Martin Luther King, Jr is a personal hero of mine. Hope you'll read it here.

Awards season for books for young readers increases in intensity at this time of year. I'm truly a fan of the NERDY BOOK CLUB blog and its decision to name all top contenders as "WINNERS" of their self-named "Nerdies" rather than finalists or honorees or also-rans. Anyone who reads and uses books with others, especially with young readers, knows that as soon as a single "winner" is named, there's a ripple effect of heartache among those whose favorite title just missed the cut. 

Participating as a first round panelist for the Cybils Awards this year in the fiction picture book category was an exciting, demanding, positive experience and one I'd love to repeat in some future year. Narrowing the worthy contenders to seven finalists was far from easy, but was actually less stressful than if I had to name that list myself. I know that the titles we ultimately agreed to send forward (here)  represent a wide range of experienced points of view, a much more fair approach than placing that burden on a single set of shoulders.

One interesting complication, though, had to do with categorizing and defining books. Thankfully, there's a separate set of administrators who determine if books are considered fiction or non-fiction, picture books or early readers or graphic novels, and so on. Once they were in our hands we judged them as fiction. A few raised my eyebrows, appearing to be hybrids of more than one category. Still, that's the way of publishing these days, and I believe we're better off for it when books can be "crossovers", as in music becoming hits in both pop and country genres. Perhaps that genre-bending factor explains why this title wasn't mentioned among the amazing ALA Youth Media Awards (view here).

Chronicle Books, 2015

 

I'm proud to raise my voice in praise of a book that didn't make the Cybils Fiction Picture Book finalists list, in part because it presented some of those confusions: MARVELOUS CORNELIUS: Hurricane Katrina and the Spirit of New Orleans. Written by Phil Bildner and illustrated by John Parra, it's a fictionalized version of an actual resident of New Orleans, a man who spent his life elevating his job as a sanitation worker into a shining inspiration.My second read (because I was still wowed by the quality of the book after the first read) made me wonder if it was or wasn't fiction. I knew it was "based on" a real man. 

The third time through I finally read the back matter. I'm a huge fan of back matter, but tried not too read too early so that the "author's insight" wouldn't shape my reactions in judging the work on its own merits. Too many kids/teachers don't bother with the back content and it shouldn't be exclusively the reason for choosing a book kids will love. However, if it made it into the book it provides a rare opportunity to get a message from the author aimed directly at the reader, almost as a colleague or partner.

In this case, it confirmed what I was thinking, which is that this is NOT biographical, any more that John Henry (which is based on an actual character) is biographical/nonfiction. Cornelius worked in the French Quarter, a place steeped in legendary stories of its own. This book clearly incorporates things that are exaggerated, uses the language and patterns of tall tales, and absolutely captures the larger-than-life quality of a legendary hero in text and image. It represents that amazing ability to appeal to older readers and adults yet the youngest adore its rhythmic, lyrical text, enhanced with repetitions and refrains. It offers delights for the ears and eyes, expanding the action and language with its exaggerated, kid-friendly folk-art illustration style.

This book bounces and  sings, capturing a city and culture as if they are characters. Scenes shift throughout, from the earliest pages where the grittiness is transformed to sparkling and appealing by the spirit (and hard work) of Cornelius. While the pastel and filagreed structures fill the background, mid-ground citizens reflect the vibrant impact of Cornelius and his energetic joy.
Katrina not only flattens the city, it nearly destroys the spirit of those residents. Eventually, the overwhelming destruction of nature's force is countered by even stronger determination, binding and building a community, inspired by the spirit of Cornelius.
Beyond all that, it offers connections to curriculum- geography, careers, infrastructures, the role of government, weather, community action, goal-setting, character development, and more. Young writers can experiment with turning their own local or pop heroes into mythical status using the simple advice offered in Bildner's notes at the back. 
This book incorporates excellent design features, too, with iconography of New Orleans on the end papers, shifting perspectives and proportions throughout, and an introductory quotation by Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior. Before the first word about Cornelius there is a full page spread sharing a quotation by MLK, Jr. about the dignity of work. It's as if he had lived to know Cornelius.  His quote comes from his dealings with the sanitation workers strike, an active stance that resulted in his assassination. 

"All the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, 

Here lived a great street sweeper who swept his job well."

As did Cornelius.

Harcourt Brace & Co.
August, 2015

A graphic nonfiction portrayal of the actual events surrounding Hurricane Katrina in the New Orleans area was written and illustrated by DON BROWN: DROWNED CITY: Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans. It is undeniably non-fiction and is the well-deserved winner of the NCTE Orbis Pictus award in that category. 

Pair this with Marvelous Cornelius: Hurricane Katrina and the Spirit of New Orleans to make history come alive, to bring that time and place "up close and personal" in a very real sense.