By Holly Johnson, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
The last week of December, and of 2021, is a great time to think about wisdom, and what we can learn not only from the past year, and from those who have lived many years. Four picturebooks highlighted during the last 12 months include the wisdom of the ages—three grandparents and one country leader. I Dream of Popo is the story of a young girl who misses her grandmother when her family moves to the United States from Taiwan. The young protagonist remembers what her grandmother means to her, and what she learned from her grandmother. And while they are able to use technology to “visit” one another, there is still the longing to be with, and to continue to learn from, this very special person. Readers can relate to the wisdom of their own grandparents or older family relatives. There are their family stories to be heard, memories to hold, and love to take with them as they venture out seeking further knowledge and perhaps, wisdom as they grow.
The wisdom of the grandmother in The Most Beautiful Thing is one of the remarkable aspects of the book. This book serves as a powerful reminder of one family’s ability to persevere in dire times as well as to recognize that true beauty resides in relationships. It will have readers juxtaposing the consumerism and materialism found throughout their environments with the importance of wisdom and care of older family members who have the power to remind them of beauty, life, love, and laughter. The illustrations are beautifully rendered and this book will engage readers of all ages.
In Sweet Pea Summer, the young protagonist learns about caring for the sweat peas in her grandfather’s garden, and through that care, learns that caring is a reciprocal relationship that allows both the object of care and the one who cares to grow. It is about connection, to not only nature, but to family, and how both can be nurturing and healing.
The World’s Poorest President Speaks Out captures the wisdom of the ages when Uruguay’s President José Mujica uses the words of Chief Seneca to remind the world that human consumption of the earth and other people is not the reason for living. Thoughtfully challenging readers to consider the concept of stewardship rather than materialism is the strength—and wisdom—of this book.
Each of these books address the wisdom of elders who have learned from life, and the importance of caring for people, places, and the possibilities of being human in and of the world. Each opens spaces for discussion that help readers recognize their connections to the environment and to other people. Each is rich in memory, and in hope—hope of continuing, through wisdom and memory, the human endeavor to create and recreate a place for all to grow.
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