Zack and Ike Love Being Alike! Don't We All?

Other than a few fashionistas I've known, most folks find it a fun affirmation to discover someone who is dressed quite similar to themselves, who enjoys the same things, or shares interests and traits that feel like their own. How comfortable it is to immediately recognize ourselves in others, to shortcut many of the "get to know you" strategies and quickly fail into familiar patterns with someone new.

That's a normal reaction. 

 But does it, SHOULD it, mean that those with evident differences from ourselves should be avoided? Might they even be treated as OTHERS? Is being "just alike" a requisite for being best friends?

ASTRA YOUNG READERS, 2022 

ZACK AND IKE ARE EXACTLY ALIKE, written and illustrated by award-winning Suzanne Bloom, offers a delightfully fun-filled picture book presenting that very dilemma. Filled with colorful and comic-style illustrations on white background, Zack and ike come to life with the vitality and appeal of kids down the street. They are quite similar, although readers of any age will note ways in which they aren't EXACTLY alike- their matching "wiggly hair" shows two different types of curliness, their skin color is different, but they see the many ways in which they are a matched pair: "google glasses, giggly grins, strong muscles, kind hearts, stripy shirts, and helmets." Young readers will note many ways they are alike that are not stated (missing front teeth, similar height and body types, etc.) as well as ways they are NOT. I appreciated that several of these relate to words/concepts/discussion points will offer young learners excellent development of basic vocabulary related to colors, shapes, sizes, and familiar nouns.

In fact, the fast-paced examples of activities, locations, and choices will have young audiences nodding along and eager to join them. That is likely to include recognition that even the closest of friends can have differences of opinions, such as whether to hike or head home when the bugs arrive. Advice to writers of books for this age includes the value of sudden twist or surprise, and this book offers that in two stages. First, they return to their shared hideout to note tracks and noises- A MONSTER!  When the intruder turns out to be something friendlier, the differences involve a naming debate, But just when the story might resolve, another surprise visit implies a potential loss, as well as a worrisome question of how to deal with someone new with NO apparent similarities to Ike and Zack. But a closer look and open minds are amply rewarded with the best possible prize-- more friendships!

There are so many things to like about this seemingly simple picture book and I'm very grateful to have received a copy for review from the publisher (with no promise of a positive review). The text is prose but is also rich with internal rhymes and appealing word choices. Those basic names are built on two "word chunks" that developing readers often use to gain independence (-ake and -ike). the many lines in which a variety of familiar words are from those "families" of words means that little ones will be reading along or even reading/retelling to themselves after only a few exposures. The illustrations are supportive in revealing simple but story-suited action images for the verbs/activity words. Both the literal story and those literal/visual elements off effective context for early reading development, but also contain gems that will pull kids back to laugh, explore, and enjoy again and again. The serpent swamp and secret hideout, as well as the results of their "maker" play are models of creativity and cleverness. The text is explicit about their strong hearts and muscles, but readers can easily recognize their similarly strong brain-power and artistry. 

All in all, this is going to be a hit for young readers with many returns to it over time. The value, then, is obvious. Even so, the theme and tone of friendships and similarities and other-ing and issue-resolving are so directly and warmly explored that I'd love to see many adults in today's world pay close attention, too. Whether it is PRIDE month or Black History Month or Hispanic Heritage Month or any other designated period in which to recognize and celebrate the value of particular races, ethnicities, or other identities, a book such as this asks us to focus on the innate ability of these boys to recognize themselves in each other, to build connections and friendships that make each and both lives better for their effort.

When Kindness Is Lacking: Facing a Bully

My previous post shared some outstanding picture books about kindness, each featuring young characters who chose to notice, to consider the feelings of others, and to ACT in positive ways. The lead character in each offers realistic examples of the power a single person can wield to make other lives better. 
Empathy is innate, according to some recent studies. (Check out an easy-to-read-and-uplifting report on one study HERE.) It's pretty obvious that encouraging those natural tendencies, modeling intentional kindness, and discussing books like the ones featured  (and others) will foster those human, humane tendencies in young people. It's also pretty obvious that our world would be a better place if all humans of every age displayed those humane, empathetic patterns in daily life. Sadly, it's more than obvious that some people, young and otherwise, have lost or repressed their natural empathetic tendencies to varying degrees. Some not only ignore others in need or pain, instead actively causing others physical or emotional pain.
That's not true of MOST PEOPLE, a truth that is comfortingly presented in Michael Leannah's book, discussed in this previous post. 
And yet...
Even a single bully can cause others to feel fear, depression, or even lead to suicide or violence. There are countless picture books on this subject used by parents, teachers, and others. Some are featured HERE. As a teacher I've shared many of the recommended titles, and as a blogger I've reviewed a few, HERE. 

Owlkids Book, Inc. 2018

This post  will shine a well-deserved spotlight on a recently released picture book, WHAT HAPPENS NEXT , written by Susan Hughes and illustrated by Carey Sookocheff. On the face of it, so to speak, it merits our attention for its powerful cover. The dull-gray tones, simple line drawings, and obvious situation makes the subject matter evident. In case there's any doubt, the back cover reveals an explicit scene: an intentionally side-eyed mean-girl is bullying a slump-shouldered and sad-eyed boy. The simplified line art and body postures, including that of the bystanding girls on the cover, reveal a universal bullying situation. 
In a sense, this stark approach is counterintuitive, lacking the spontaneous appeal of bright colors, charming animal characters, or other enticements to open and read on about an important topic. Instead, this book declares its topic before a single page is turned. The title suggests a powerful dramatic tension, suggesting escalating meanness and/or a full-out confrontation. 
Neither is the case. Nor does the book unfold in traditional text form. Instead, the unnamed narrator controls the story in unique, script-like format:
"Why I Don't Want to Go to School Today:
Bully B.
What Bully B Does at School Today:
Blocks my way.
Asks me questions that aren't really questions, like: 'Why are you so weird?'
What Her Friends Do:
Laugh.
What Everyone Else Does:
Nothing."

From that first page, the bullied boy struggles with hiding his situation from his mom, seeking comfort in his books and from his unconditionally loving and sensitive dog. One day his mom reads his face rather than his answer about how his day was ("fine"). Together they spend time in simple ways, experiencing comfort and fun together. Then his mom gently leads a conversation about bullies, options, and potential resolutions. This is all revealed in that same child-controlled monologue. The transitions leading to a resolution are entirely realistic, providing a template for others to use in similar circumstances while thoroughly  reinforcing the character of a quirky (not weird) boy and a compelling story.

I do have a few concerns about this outstanding picture book. The line drawings are a bit of a double-edged sword. Throughout page after page of  dull-toned spreads, the boy is washed from head to toe in pale blue and the girl in green. That may avoid racial identity, but the straight-hair, straight-featuered characters read very Caucasian to me. In the final spread each character, including some incidental classmates, are colored in traditional ways (clothing, hair, backpacks, etc.) and one boy is a person of color. I realize the intentional symbolism of the narrator's perceptions regarding his worldview until the problem is resolved, but I hope it is discussed with young readers as intentional.  On the plus side, the majority of "bullies" in picture books are males (or "male-types"), so this female antagonist is a welcome dose of reality. 

Here's hoping you'll get your hands on these books and share them widely. Can we really live with the fact that humans are BORN with the right instincts and the adults (or screen images) in their lives are not actively strengthening and supporting those instincts? I can't.