Monday, October 12, 2014
Candy Shop by Jan Wahl
Genre: Fiction, Children's literature
Interest Level: Grades K-3
About This Book
This is a touching book about Daniel, a young African-American boy our little narrator and cowboy wannabe. Daniel wants to go to the candy shop, but before that, he has to run errands with his Aunt Thelma. As the reader looks through the pages, we learn that Daniel lives in a somewhat rundown, urban and multicultural town. Daniel hardly complains as he shops with his aunt and patiently waits for the candy shop. He entertains himself by acting like cowboy. Daniel and Aunt Thelma finally arrive at the candy shop, but instead of running inside to buy his candy, Daniel and Aunt Thelma see the owner of the shop, Mrs. Chu from Taiwan, outside crying. There was a huge crowd gathered around the candy shop. Daniel walked up to see what happened and discovered that someone had graffitied nasty/hurtful words outside the candy shop. These words were rude and directed at Mrs. Chu. We realize that Mrs. Chu had become a victim of prejudice. Daniel then forsakes his desire to go buy candy, decides to act as a friend and walks up to comfort the crying Mrs. Chu instead. He tips his cowboy hat, the way a gentleman of a cowboy would, and proceeds to clean up the graffiti written outside the shop. He shoo's all the people away and gladly cleaned up every last bit of graffiti. Afterwards, Daniel goes in the shop to buy candy and Mrs. Chu refuses to accept payment due to Daniel's act of kindness, so Aunt Thelma invites Mrs. Chu over for some sweet potato pie.
The author doesn't show what the graffiti said, but through Mrs. Chu's fearful and sad composition, we can assume it points to some sort of racial issue. I love this book because it doesn't focus on the conflict, but rather the fact that Daniel knows that a cowboy would "do something," and therefore cleaned the graffiti away. It focuses on the steps that Daniel took to help his fellow citizen, and make the world feel better again. This book is about how love and caring is stronger than hate, and how tolerance is something everyone needs to work on having.
The illustrations were done by Nicole Wong. They are simple, but do a wonderful job at depicting the emotions of everyone in the story. The artwork is colorful, bold and striking.
I choose this book because it simply and beautifully depicts that acceptance, kindness, love and tolerance are all actions. It teaches kids to stand up for what's right and that even though there are mean people in the world, it's the kind loving ones that make the most difference and it's everyones job to be kind to their fellow citizens.
This book could be used in an elementary classroom during read aloud time. Questions could be asked to get the students thinking while they listen along. Then have the students turn to their neighbors and discuss what they might do if they were in Daniels situation. Then the students could come up and roll play how they'd act in situations where there's injustice or someone does something they believe is wrong.
About the Author
Jan Boyer Wahl (born April 1, 1933) is a prolific author of over 100 works, known primarily for his award-winning children's books, including Pleasant Fieldmouse and Humphrey's Bear. Wahl sometimes refers to himself as "Dr. Mouse," a nickname given him by a young fan.
Jan (pronounced "Yahn") Wahl was born in Columbus, Ohio. His father was physician Russell Rothenberger, and his mother was Nina Marie Boyer Wahl. He has five brothers.
Jan Wahl received a B.A. from Cornell University in 1953, then went on to graduate studies at the University of Copenhagen (Fulbright scholar, 1953-1954) and the University of Michigan (M.A., 1958). On March 15, 1996, Bowling Green State University awarded Wahl the honorary degree Doctor of Letters in recognition of his continuing work in children's literature and in the history of film.
Now, widely traveled -- from Lapland to the Sahara and beyond -- Jan has worked with great artists such as Isak Dinesen, Carl Th. Dreyer, Maurice Sendak, William Joyce, and others.
Jan feels that picture books are like little movies and each word must be well chosen, like a haiku. In his books he tries to communicate and to see each day through the eyes of a child.
Several of Jan's books have been set to music, and How the Children Stopped the Wars (Ten Speed Press, 1993) was turned into an opera and has been performed many times. A few of his stories have been animated and another is expected to be adapted as a feature film.
Jan feels that picture books are like little movies and each word must be well chosen, like a haiku. In his books he tries to communicate and to see each day through the eyes of a child.
Several of Jan's books have been set to music, and How the Children Stopped the Wars (Ten Speed Press, 1993) was turned into an opera and has been performed many times. A few of his stories have been animated and another is expected to be adapted as a feature film.
(Information from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Wahl and http://www.charlesbridge.com/contributorinfo.cfm?ContribID=65)
Standards Covered
NCSS Themes
1: Culture diversity
3: People, Places & Environments
4: Individual Development & Identity
5: Individual, group, institution
HCPS III Social Studies Standards/ Benchmarks
Standard 5: Political Science/Civics: PARTICIPATION AND CITIZENSHIP-Understand roles, rights (personal, economic, political), and responsibilities of American citizens and exercise them in civic action
SS.K.5.1 - Describe his or her rights and demonstrate responsibilities of self in classroom, school, and neighborhood settings.
SS.K.5.2. - Demonstrate ways to improve the quality of life in own school or community
SS.1.5.1. - Identify rights and responsibilities of community leaders
SS.2.5.1 - Demonstrate own roles and responsibilities in caring for others and the environment.
SS.3.5.1 - Describe roles and rights of citizenship and demonstrate responsibilities of citizenship.
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