TGIPF!
Thank Goodness for Poetry Friday! Three cheers for hosts Franki and Mary Lee for hosting this week’s celebration (click on the purple banner below to enjoy lots more).
Last week, as I finished making PF rounds I had a different idea of what I wanted to share this week. Then, on Tuesday morning I saw this:
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| https://reflectionsontheteche.com/ |
Margaret had some thoughts on a soon to be released story in poems, Can I Touch Your Hair? by Irene Latham and Charles Waters (Lerner Jan 1, 2018). Then…..I arrived at school, where a copy I had requested at AASL was in my mailbox. A colleague watched me open the envelope and exclaimed….oh, my gosh…that’s actually happened to me! I knew I would share Can I Touch Your Hair? this week.
I came home from school Tuesday and read the book. And then, I read the book again slower. Now, you might be ready for me to gush and oooooh and ahhhhhhhhh over Can I Touch Your Hair? That’s coming, I promise. But, I need to share my first impression.
Mind you, my first impression was stubbing its toes on memories of my former self in fifth grade, when I wasn’t nice to C. C. and then in High School when I thought I was funny by flippantly spouting something racist at a sporting event. And….well, I don’t really enjoy telling any more on myself.
See, this book kind of gets ya…. Because, if you are going to get this book, the words and illustrations are going to be windows and mirrors. I’m not always happy with how people in my world see each other or, treat each other….and I’ve certainly had my share of missteps and misunderstandings of those who are different than me (see above).
Can I Touch Your Hair? Addresses race directly….and humanly and poetically.
Making mistakes is part of Irene and Charles’ story. It’s a story of how two kids who don’t know each other and don’t think that they can become friends figure it out… misunderstandings and all.
Back in September, I saw the pic below on Sara Lewis Holmes’ Facebook page. I love how the questions prompt me to think about a work.
Can I Touch Your Hair? Is a story about two kids last to be picked as buddies forced to partner-up. The other story is learning how to befriend someone you think is too different from you to befriend.
This story makes me feel that understanding is possible….that being human is OK. Understanding starts when I'm open to opportunities. When I look up from my shoes.
Can I Touch Your Hair? is powerful in the way free-verse allows readers to empathize with characters, Irene and Charles. We get to watch them grow--as we grow in our understanding through reading. Yet, pastel illustrations by Sean Qualls and Selina Alko move the story gently. Painted and found-art collage brings each character’s world closer and closer together, giving space for poetry to breathe.
Irene and Charles’ poems allow readers to see ourselves in their mirror and through a window at their budding friendship.
Can I Touch Your Hair? Is a beautiful work of art and a must read as soon as you can get your hands on a copy. I will award you bonus points if you read it aloud to young people.
I’m so happy that this work is coming into our world soon. I look forward to sharing the joy of this story with lots and lots and lots of people….like me and different.
Many, many congratulations to our Poetry Friday friends, Irene and Charles.
Dear Linda, I can't tell you how much your comments here mean to me. Yes, it's okay to be human. Yes, I cringe, too, when I remember some of my mistakes. Thank you for looking up from your shoes. You inspire me (and so many others!) to do the same. xo
ReplyDeleteI have it pre-ordered, worked with Charles at my recent Poetry workshop at Highlights and have been blogger friends with Irene and read all her words, know it will be great. I know I've made mistakes too, and thank you for sharing the book and how you feel about it, too. Can't wait!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and heartfelt review of Irene and Charle's book Linda, I'm looking forward to spending some time with this book, thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the human side of yourself, warts and all. It's tough to have these conversations, but oh, so necessary in today's climate. I took my students to see Wonder this week which brought up another issue in this same realm. I'm so glad I got a copy at NCTE. Your review is spot on.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your honesty and vulnerability in sharing your response to this book. I can't wait to read it and to share it. It looks to be such an important book that can bring needed change and invite us all to reach out to get to know and even become friends with those who are different from ourselves.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds amazing, and sooo important. I like your honesty in your review. I think if, as adults, we are able to be honest at our mistakes - and yes, I have similar memories of which I am ashamed - then we are able to help spread super important messages. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYour review is spot on, Linda. We've all made mistakes... many of which we don't even realize are mistakes at the time we make them! Thank you for breaking down this book in such a thoughtful way and sharing its heart.
ReplyDeleteThis is a mentor post Linda. Appreciations for your sharing, for your spotlighting the Charles Waters' & Irene Latham's dynamic duo & for your nourishing presence everywhere. I haven't read MAY I TOUCH YOUR HAIR? yet, but with this post it touches me so. Very much On. The. List.
ReplyDeleteSo enjoyed reading your thoughts/reactions to this book, which I'm looking forward to reading soon. It sounds amazing, important, masterfully written and so timely. So proud of and happy for Irene and Charles!
ReplyDeleteWOW. I hadn't heard of this one, and I love your response to it - thank you for your transparency and enthusiasm.
ReplyDeleteLinda, thank you SO much for your kind, brave words about the book and your experiences. I agree with the thread about cringing at our own mistakes and rectifying them to be a better human. You rock!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds so good. Can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I wish I'd had this book last year to share with a class that was hyper-sensitive to issues of race (I made a few of my own cringe-worthy mistakes just last year). This is a book that will help to change lives and make the world a better place for sure.
ReplyDeleteAs we discussed in a session with Irene and Charles at an NCTE session, nothing will change unless we DO discuss our mistakes. Funnily it suddenly occurs to me that we kind of do have to touch each other's hair--but only after asking. : )
ReplyDeleteI'm super later this week. I want to read Irene and Charles' book. It's so important we start to talk and take down the barriers. Thanks for doing such a wonderful review.
ReplyDeleteI feel so fortunate to have been at the NCTE session Heidi mentioned to talk with Irene and Charles about how this book. Looking forward to sharing and discussing it with students!
ReplyDeleteI feel so fortunate to have been at the NCTE session Heidi mentioned to talk with Irene and Charles about how this book. Looking forward to sharing and discussing it with students!
ReplyDeleteI feel so fortunate to have been at the NCTE session Heidi mentioned to talk with Irene and Charles about how this book. Looking forward to sharing and discussing it with students!
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