Food and education are two of the most intensely debated topics in America today. Cost, availability, quality, and safety are all big concerns for people, and understandably so.
What we often forget, though, is that not everyone in the world has easy access to either of these things. Take Josias, for example. He spends most of his time tending one of the family gardens so that his family can eat and earn money by selling the fruits and vegetables. Family responsibilities often prevent him from attending school.
Josias may be a fictional character whose childhood is similar to that of Abraham Lincoln, but he lives in modern day Haiti. Many of us sent money there after their devastating earthquake, but how many of us know much about the country otherwise? How many children can find it on a map?
That's where the picture book, Josias, Hold the Book
, by Jennifer Riesmeyer Elvgren (author) and Nicole Tadgell (illustrator), comes in. This heartwarming story of a boy who takes his family responsibilities very seriously, brings Haitian culture to life.
Josias doesn't have time for school. It would take time away from his work, especially now that he can't figure out why his beans aren't growing. So, when a friend passes by and asks him when he will "hold the book," Josias says that school can't help him with his work. He has real problems to solve, and has to put all of his time and energy into solving them.
Josias is frustrated, but when a child drops some books on the ground one day, he gets a bright idea. Maybe books can help him solve his problem! And so, he asks his friend to pose the question to the teacher.
I don't want to give it all away, but let's just say that Josias solved more than just his bean problem that day.
Josias, Hold the Book is beautifully written, and the soft watercolor illustrations bring the countryside and characters to life. The author's note at the end, which provides some information about education in rural Haiti, complements the story nicely. So would a world map or globe.
I'm so glad I discovered this children's book, since it brings together my current topics of food and education. If you ask your children to compare a couple of the books I've recommended, you'll be surprised by the connections they make. Please feel free to share any they come up with.
The next post in this series is called Children's Books to Help You Learn, Cook, and Grow with Your Child.
Enjoy! Have a great week.