Picture Book Series, Part 2 (Economics, History, Culture)

In a previous post I shared three of the five picture book titles in the    TRADE WINDS series by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers.
I wrote there:
The five titles in this collection are presented in picture book format and feature young characters in stories set during key periods in the history of global economics and culture.
Whew, that's a mouthful. 
As much as I advocate for using picture books across all ages, some intentionally instructive titles/series should be evaluated as academic tools rather than as picture books. 
That is NOT the case for the five titles in this set. Each could stand proudly on its own (and can be purchased separately). Each is a story featuring a young character whose narrative arc unfolds within a specific historic time and place. Each contains back page supplements, including a kid-friendly glossary and timeline, map anchors, and a few clarifying comments about the concepts presented, all of which are highly accessible to young readers. And each  is enhanced by elaborate illustrations that provide additional insights about the central concepts and cultures.

At this time in history, culture might be viewed as whatever meme last went viral, and economics can be seen as swipes of a card or chip or smartphone with little relationship to actual marketplace or economic principles.  We also live in a time in which wealth is amassed in inconceivable amounts and in fewer hands, making the money = power equation more relevant than ever before. Finding ways to anchor economic concepts within a broader global culture is a challenge, and these titles meet that challenge with engaging stories and helpful clarifications. 

The two remaining titles in this series convey important economic turning points in western history. GRANDFATHER WHISKER'S TABLE, written by Eun-jeong Jo and illustrated by Bimba Landmann, is another father-son story. In the mid-Renaissance era, Siena, Italy, emerged as the banking center of Europe. 

Enzo and his father visit to view the famous Palio de Siena horse race (which is still a thing!). Young Enzo is enthralled with the swirl of people, languages, and marketplace surprises, asking dozens of questions. He is particularly intrigued by Grandfather Whisker, who has settled on a bench in a marketplace stall with his strongbox. There he is saving, lending, and protecting valuables, exchanging currencies from around Europe, and recording each transaction in his book and providing receipts. (Did you know that BANK derives from the Italian word for bench?)
Enzo's story involves choosing a gift for a sibling, making a smart decision to ask the banker to hold it in safe keeping, then dealing with the dramatic loss of his receipt at the end of the race. The banker's lesson for Enzo is also valuable, and the specific banking vocabulary in back pages is still surprisingly current, even in our digital exchange era.
I found the illustrations to be evocative and I'm sure they will generate many curious questions from readers about the cultural patterns of that late medieval time: Complex buildings, walled neighborhoods, colorful clothing styles, heraldry, and more.

The latest period explored in this series is in LEATHER SHOE CHARLIE, written by Gyeong-hwa Kim and illustrated by Anna Balbusso and Elena Balbusso. The story opens in a small village in England during the Industrial Revolution. Charlie's grandfather is a master cobbler and the boy proudly sports his leather shoes throughout most of the book, earning his nickname and the title of the book. 
When his family (and most other families from small towns) moved to Manchester to work in the mills, readers are thrust into a 19th century mill town. Grimy tenement  housing looms throughout the pages, with Charlie's prized shoes soon offering the only vibrant color within the dull, suffocating images. Dangers and problems of child labor and unprotected industrial conditions are hinted at, with clarifying details developed in the back pages, including references to emerging labor organizations. 
One significant aspect of millwork forms the drama for Charlie's narrative. His mother develops a chronic and debilitating cough from the factory fibers and dust, but even with the whole family working they are not able to afford a tin of tea to sooth her throat. Charlie chooses to sacrifice his prized shoes to trade for tea. Even so, he can see a future in which he will leave the mills and train to be a cobbler like his grandfather. 

In both posts about the titles in this series, I've praised the informational content, the storytelling, and the scope and depth of the subjects and locations. When translating books from other languages, those qualities are not easy to accomplish. Credit goes to an author I deeply admire, JOY COWLEY, who served as editor for the series. She has a knack for writing in a down-to-earth yet creative and lyrical way, and her deft touch shines through in each book. It bears mention, too, that in each story there are aspects of kindness and generosity, family affection, and pursuit of learning. These elements make stories from long ago and far away feel relevant and recognizable to young readers.
I can't resist pointing out, and I hope young readers will notice as well, that the central characters are all males. Sadly, each culture and era portrayed was patriarchal. In that sense, the questions raised and comparisons made to gender equity in a modern world can lead to better understanding of how recently these changes have emerged and how many unfulfilled goals remain.
I hope that all of the above will give you reason to track down these books and give them a careful read. 

Full disclaimer here:  When My dad was a boy about Charlie's age his father died. That was during the depression, pre-social services safety net. He was the oldest son, so he worked with his cobbler uncle to earn enough money to feed his family. He handled deliveries and shop chores, but also learned enough of the trade to support his family throughout high school, repairing his classmates' shoes. As reluctant as I am to name favorites among any books, Leather Shoe Charlie has a special place in my heart. 

Eerdmans Books for Young readers provided a copy of the books in this set in exchange for a fair and honest review. I will donate this series to a local school and I recommend them to schools, libraries, and families. 

Some Educational Picture Books Worthy of a Second Look

Trade Winds is an educational series from Eerdman's Books for Young Readers. The five titles in the collection are presented in picture book format and feature young characters in stories set during key periods in the history of global economics and culture.
Whew, that's a mouthful. 
As much as I advocate for using picture books across all ages, some intentionally instructive titles/series should be evaluated as academic tools rather than as picture books. 

That is NOT the case for the five titles in this set. Each could stand proudly on its own (and can be purchased separately). Each is a story featuring a young character whose narrative arc unfolds within a specific historic time and place. Each contains back page supplements, including a kid-friendly glossary and timeline, map anchors, and a few clarifying comments about the concepts presented, all of which are highly accessible to young readers. And each  is enhanced by elaborate illustrations that provide additional insights about the central concepts and cultures.

I was intrigued by the subject matter- economics and culture with a world view. For kids growing up in a digital/swipe economy, one in which national and global policies are too often steered by massive corporate and individual fortunes, these are topics that deserve significant attention. I wondered if these would be books best used in the context of direct instruction and for older students, but my initial caution dissolved when I saw that the talented, prolific, and beloved author, JOY COWLEY, was the editor of all five books. I was confident that the stories would have both fluency and appeal. 
And I was right.

Three of the five titles will be reviewed here, with the remaining two titles considered in the next post. Each of the five can be read in any order and grouped/compared in various ways, but I chose to include in this post the three titles with non-European settings, stories that take place BCE (before the common era, or what we used to call BC). 

The earliest era portrayed is in THE WARLI PEOPLE, written by Hye-eun Shin and illustrated by Su-bi Jeong. It is the least story-based, in text. Instead, each double-page spread tells its story with a simple sentence, while the densely populated illustrations simulate the story/style of art and artifacts of the Warli People (from about ten centuries BCE). 
The core concept of this book is structured to reveal the many activities during the course of a year in an agricultural society in what is today coastal India. 
The Warli People had prospered into a complex agricultural civilization, one with an established and extended community structure: food production, recreation, specialized roles, social practices, and ceremonies. Most importantly, their secure economy allowed them to create a pictographic language using line art and geometric forms that are easily translated to imagine elaborate stories, rendering narrative text almost unnecessary. This book lays the groundwork for considering the cultural and economic concepts in subsequent titles. 
I can imagine readers of many ages poring over the elaborate visual narratives and telling/writing detailed stories of the events and characters pictured. Back content includes information revealing several Middle East civilizations that were comparably advanced during that era. 

The next story moves readers forward several centuries and many miles further north, depicting the SILK ROAD from eastern Asia (near modern Bejing) and extending across the desert and mountains to the Mediterranean Sea. 
FATHER'S ROAD, written by Ji-Yung Jang and illustrated by Tan Jun, follows a young boy on his first journey with his tradesman father. Wong Chung is old enough to begin his apprenticeship, learning the oddities, routines, and dangers of a camel caravan. His first person point of view and voice (directed to an imagined audience or perhaps a diary) draws readers into every aspect of what could otherwise be an alien experience. 
In the course of the book, Wong Chung enjoys spectacular views, surprising resources, and absorbs important lessons. He encounters bandits, a fierce sandstorm, and a chance to extend a helping hand. At the journey's end, the boy realizes that their destination, trading centers, are cosmopolitan intersections of people with varied languages, cultures, goods, and experiences from far-flung places, many he can't even imagine. 
For the youngest readers, this is a vibrant story that presents an adventure across global cultures and a vast time period. For older readers the story will intrigue, but the back matter provides a wealth of accessible content to expand understanding of the roots and relationships of global trade. 

In the previous books, exchanges involve bartering. At some point in our global economic history, "money" must come into play. LION, KING, and COIN, written by Jeong-hee Nam and illustrated by Lucia Sforza, shares, in story form, the origins of the first coins used in trade. In the sixth century BCE, in ancient Lydia (in present-day Turkey) Sardis was a large and prosperous village. The Pactolus River was also known as the Gold River because  
gold could be panned from it's sandy bottom. 
The young narrator, Laos, is the son and grandson of goldsmiths. Both smiths were renowned for their gold jewelry and other items. The boy describes the problems encountered on market day when a trader wished to purchase something, even something like a piece of fruit, but only had a large item, like an ox, to trade. 
In order to  improve transactions and to assure fair value during the trades, the king ordered that coins be minted. Each was stamped on the front with a lion emblem, a symbol of the king's authority. The back of the coins carried a special smith's mark, to prevent counterfeit coins. Various values were assigned based on the weight of gold in the coins. 

This charming narrative from the perspective of young Laos incorporates a story of King Midas to reflect a culture with oral traditions. The historic information is based on current archeological information about the first civilizations found to use minted coins. 
Once again, the back matter places this period in perspective with earlier and later periods, presents this village location in relation to the Silk Road, and explores precursors to traditional metal coins.

Stay tuned for an upcoming post about the two titles set in Europe in the modern era. Meanwhile, check out these titles and share links with educators and curious kids. There are far too few stories incorporating global history and economic basics. These books are very engaging and informative, making them a welcome addition to that limited pool of resources.


The five titles were originally written and published by Yeowon Media, Ltd. before being translated and published for an American audience by Eerdmans BYR. Copies of each book were provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The GIFT of TIME: Two Picture Books

Before the busy back-to-school season becomes a blur of sports, recitals, dioramas, homework and assorted holidays, pause for a moment to think about the power of quietly, peacefully being present. 

Marvin (Armstrong)

A recent post celebrated the power of nighttime reading, especially with picture books (HERE). This Marvin cartoon (Armstrong) turns my attention to the power of daytime hours. (Look closely at his dad's tablet tucked into the back of Marvin's pants.) Routines and obligations (or self-absorbed distractibility) can take over, but the books in this post offer wise advice, reminders of something Marvin already knows: time spent together is the greatest gift of all. 

little bee books 2018

Pat Zietlow Miller, New York Times Bestselling author of BE KIND, reviewed HERE, Is back with LORETTA'S GIFT. illustrated by Alea Marley. In this charmer, MIller's characteristic love and lyricism shine through a tale of growing families. When young Loretta hears the news that she'll have a new baby cousin, she's on board and eager to give a gift. She's even willing to give away her own belongings, but realizes that they won't be the best choices.

It's a remarkable accomplishment when any picture book that's NOT focused on the changing seasons can manage to span more than a day or two, let alone reach beyond the span of a full year. These two books do just that, and both do it well. In both books I believe the span of time serves the topic well, revealing how quickly time passes, whether dealing with newborns or school years. 
From the days of diaper changes right through to Gabe's first birthday, Loretta calms her baby cousin's tears, organizes and tugs his tiny clothes into place, and otherwise showers him with her greatest gifts: time and attention. The story circles back to remind Loretta and her family that sharing laughter and tears, hugs and cheers is the best gift of all.

Although a day may come when it doesn't merit comment, it's worth noting that the text makes absolutely no references to the race of the these characters. The story explores universal truths, ones that apply across continents, ages, races, and circumstances. Until recently, the illustrations would most likely have been Caucasian. Marley's lovely depictions of characters of color, including little Gabe's mixed identity, might not have been considered in the past. Now, they are a welcome indicator of the publishing industry's slowly bending curve toward justice, representing ALL people in all kinds of books and stories.

Candlewick Press 2018

Next up is A GIFT FROM ABUELA, which is written and illustrated by Cecilia Ruiz. These two new titles pair perfectly, offering rich content in their own spaces and providing countless discussion starters to compare and contrast their text, the settings, the characters, the art, and the gently-conveyed messages.

In this tender but intense story, Niña grows with Abuela from a welcomed infant (like Gabe) through to later childhood. 

Those years pass quickly in page turns showing laughter and habits that establish their loving relationship. It reaches into the age when Niña grows beyond her days spent with Abuela. That time period also spans economic downturns in their hometown, Mexico City, presented through direct text and also through subtly changing details in their surroundings and expenses. 

During the process, Abuela's demeanor gradually saddens, while Niña's awareness of those changes increases. Near the book's end, the child's effort to give Abuela the gifts of time and attention feels like a satisfying conclusion, an interesting flip side to Loretta's gifts to her tiny cousin. 
But Ruiz has imbued this story with rich resources for finding another layer. That plummeting economy, the change in the currency and in life's circumstances open discussions to bigger issues. And those circumstances allow Niña to offer an even bigger gift to Abuela-- returning the love and comfort they shared so many years before. 

The pair in A GIFT FROM ABUELA are more secure in the early pages, struggling more over passing time. The title itself suggests that it was Abuela's efforts to give her grandchild treats and even something special, like a vacation, that demonstrated her love.The title works well in those earlier pages, and yet it fits even better with Niña's inspired resolution shows, in a warm and meaningful way, that Abuela's REAL gift has been received and welcomed. 

Unlike the first story, which could occur anywhere in the world, the plot of Abuela's story depends on a very particular time and place. And yet it, too, is universal. The families in LORETTA'S GIFT are blessed with economic security, but that doesn't prevent them from recognizing the value of attention, time, and talents as gifts. 

Only a fool would say that no one enjoys physical gifts, that money doesn't matter. 
These books don't say that. 

I'm so enthused about the extent to which these two books work well together to foster empathy, to convey the value of spending meaningful time together, and to raise awareness that relationships are treasures to be nurtured.

Please, check them both out. Read them carefully.

Please, share them widely.

Please, encourage kids to discuss openly and explore deeply. 

And please, spend time with kids you love. 

Really, spend that time.
It's priceless.