"If it weren't for you meddling kids" the bad guy would have gotten away with it. That's the message shared by the captured villains in Scooby Doo episodes. Darn kids.
When it comes to children's picture books, my question has been, "what's with those meddling adults?" This question hasn't always been with me, but became a part of me during one of my first residencies in Hamline's MFAC program after I chose to share my picture book draft about a boy and his stuffed herring for my workshop. In the story, the boy had a close connection to his stuffed animal. When his confidence in himself had fallen, the boy, who was able to talk back and forth with his herring, of course when adults were not present, brings the herring to school to keep in his desk. He continues to not believe in himself when the herring does not talk and the teacher comforts the boy. Eventually the teacher reminds the boy of the meaning of his Hebrew name and helps the boy realize that he already has comfort he needs to believe in himself.
While readers loved the idea of the herring, the message that came through loud and clear was that when I write a picture book story, or really any story now, I want to empower the child. I want to have the child figure out how to solve the problem. This is what I try to do when I teach, also. I may provide the instruction to my students, but then I want them to process and solve the problems. How much does it help my students if I give them the answers? I think about this with my daughter, too. Besides, I love seeing how she tries to find solutions to challenges.
This week's posts focus on two picture books--one that involves adult interference for a perceived need, and one that features a child who sees a legitimate need and independently comes up with a solution to fulfill it.
Owen Written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes (c) 1993Greenwillow Books (publisher)
Caldecott Honor Book
Owen is a young mouse. He is a young mouse attached to a yellow blanket that goes everywhere with him. Owen is an only child to supposed first-time parents. Mrs. Tweezers is the meddling older neighbor who seems to feel the need to tell Owen's parents that he is too old to be carrying around the blanket. She suggests various techniques for the parents to implement in attempts to rid Owen of his blanket attachment. Whether it is because Owen's parents are insecure first-time parents or they truly are worried about Owen's obsession with his blanket (although I did not feel their concern implied until Mrs. Tweezers interfered) they give in and try the suggested techniques. Owen overhears the suggestions and foils each plan. The final battle occurs when Mrs. Tweezers reminds Owen's parents that Owen will not be able to bring his blanket to school. In the end, Owen's mother has an idea for the blanket and solves the problem. This makes everyone--Owen's mother, father, Owen, and Mrs. Tweezers all happy and satisfied.
While I can appreciate Owen's mother's solution to the "problem" as my own daughter will be starting kindergarten in the fall and likes to bring a cuddle toy and her "nummy pillow" with her each day to daycare now, I prefer that Little Sapling partakes in coming up with the compromise. She enjoys the story of Owen, but for myself, looking at it as a writer and as a mom who has had people interfere in my parenting with their ideas when I may not have asked for them, I am not an overall fan of the book. I struggle with the meddling, and then the mom alone coming up with a solution. What if the solution had devastated Owen? It certainly could have. He was smart in the story. He needed to be involved.
Just one girl's opinion.
In total contrast, I would like to present a recent find that is a perfect example of the child being empowered. Which book did I choose?
Stay tuned for Part 2 and the conclusion of "Meddling Humans" on Friday this week.
Until then,
Today and tomorrow,
~Tamara
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