Occasionally, students will review the same book so you may come across multiple posts about the same title. Use these different reviews to see how people can approach the same book with slightly different questions and ideas. This book was previously reviewed on Oct. 24, 2009.
Name of Book: Because of You
Author: B.G Hennessy
Illustrator: Hiroe Nakata
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Audience: Preschool – early elementary
Summary: This book explores how the world changes every time a child is born. Because of this new birth there will be one more person to love and who can show love, one more person who can share and will need to be shared with, one person who needs to be cared for and can care for others, and there is one more person who needs to be listened to and who can listen to others. This book is a call for action and it is in doing these things, in the action, that peace is created. This book empowers children to know they can make a difference.
Literary elements at work in the story: Repetition plays a key role in this book; each page begins with, “Because of You.” Through both the words and the pictures a child can see concrete ways that they can help, care, share and listen to one another. This could be used as a “read-aloud” in which all of the children could have a page to read (if they can read) or could simply say “Because of you” and the teacher completes the phrase. It would also be a wonderful lead into a study focusing on ways the children can care, share, listen, and help one another and adults. Not only could children study these ways, but also do them!
Perspective on gender/ race/ culture/ economic/ ability: The book is multi-cultural, focusing on different races. It is a beautiful depiction of God’s community and how we are to act towards one another.
Scripture: Aspects of the “Beatitudes” found in Mark 5:1-9.
Theology: What does it mean to carry the imprint of God, to be God’s hands and Feet?
Faith Talk Questions:
1. Who takes care of you? Who listens, helps, and cares for you?
2. Who (or what) do you take care of?
3. How can you help and care for others?
Review prepared by Ashley Cheek, MDiv/MACE, Entering cohort Fall 2007
No comments:
Post a Comment