Book Reviews: Children's Literature that Encourages Critical-thinking about Human-Animal Relationships
To Heal A Broken Wing
Bob Graham's To Heal A Broken Wing is simple but powerful. While walking through the city a child notices a pigeon fall from the sky. Although crowds walk by the pigeon, the child races to help the bird. It is obvious that the pigeon's wing is broken, and the child's parents respond in complete support of the child's concern, and they take the pigeon home to help nurture him back to health. At home, they give the pigeon a little cage which they eventually graduate to a bigger cage in front of the window. The pigeon is not named or deemed as a pet, but simply as an animal in recovery. His cage situated in front of the window signifies the family's recognition that the bird is not meant to be confined in a cage but is tending towards his original habitat which is outside. When the wing is healed, the family brings the pigeon back into the city and the last pages capture the pigeon's release as he soars into the sky, completely recovered. This books stands out as one that exemplifies a positive human-animal relationship not only because the child's immediate reaction to rescue injured wildlife, or even the parents support in this endeavor, but that the animal in question is a pigeon. It is no secret that they are an unpopular animal, even sometimes referred to as 'the flying rat'. People don't often claim pigeons as their favourite animal. Yet, this child sees the pigeon as worthy of being rescued and cared for. This story is a reminder that value is not assigned by humans, but that animals are valuable in their own right and that their suffering matters.
Hey Little Ant
The charming tale of Hey, Little Ant is presented as a dialogue between a boy and an ant who he is about to step on. While this story does involve an anthropomorphic animal in the form of a talking ant, I think the message of the story makes up for it, and I actually think the ant's ability to talk is necessary in order for this story's message to be delivered.
The story begins as a red-haired boy with a raised up shoe threatens to squish an ant. The child first says:
Hey, little ant down in the crack, can you hear me? Can you talk back? See my shoe, can you see that? Well now it’s gonna squish you flat!
The ant negotiates with the boy giving him reasons to reconsider stepping on him. The boy observes how the ant is ‘just a tiny speck’ and declares that ants can’t feel. The ant tries to make the boy see that the two of them are not so different. The ant has nest-mates who rely on him and he has a job to do.
Throughout the conversation the boy seems to remain uncertain that he shouldn’t step on the ant. His mom has told him that ants are pests that steal food, and friends are encouraging him to squish the ant since it’s a game they play. The ant explains why ants do what they do and pleads with the boy to consider how he would feel if the tables were turned.
The story ends in a very open way which I think is perfect for generating discussion with children. The reader and any little ones listening to the story have the opportunity to ponder on and talk about what they think the boy should do.
I think this book is very relevant to children. Children probably encounter bugs every time they’re outside and stepping on ants can be a popular activity. As one who often have so little control of what goes on in their world, I think children naturally seek control, and the opportunity to have such an impact on another creature may be very exciting and satisfying for some. Some children are afraid of bugs as well. There could be many reasons for children to step on ants.
I think it is important to help children to consider their choices: because someone is smaller or vulnerable to us, does that make it okay to do whatever we would like with them, and even hurt them? I think this is an important question for adults too. While stepping on ants may seem like too small an offense to worth mentioning, books like ‘Hey, Little Ant’ bring our focus back to one of compassion, integrity, empathy and concern for other living beings.
The story begins as a red-haired boy with a raised up shoe threatens to squish an ant. The child first says:
Hey, little ant down in the crack, can you hear me? Can you talk back? See my shoe, can you see that? Well now it’s gonna squish you flat!
The ant negotiates with the boy giving him reasons to reconsider stepping on him. The boy observes how the ant is ‘just a tiny speck’ and declares that ants can’t feel. The ant tries to make the boy see that the two of them are not so different. The ant has nest-mates who rely on him and he has a job to do.
Throughout the conversation the boy seems to remain uncertain that he shouldn’t step on the ant. His mom has told him that ants are pests that steal food, and friends are encouraging him to squish the ant since it’s a game they play. The ant explains why ants do what they do and pleads with the boy to consider how he would feel if the tables were turned.
The story ends in a very open way which I think is perfect for generating discussion with children. The reader and any little ones listening to the story have the opportunity to ponder on and talk about what they think the boy should do.
I think this book is very relevant to children. Children probably encounter bugs every time they’re outside and stepping on ants can be a popular activity. As one who often have so little control of what goes on in their world, I think children naturally seek control, and the opportunity to have such an impact on another creature may be very exciting and satisfying for some. Some children are afraid of bugs as well. There could be many reasons for children to step on ants.
I think it is important to help children to consider their choices: because someone is smaller or vulnerable to us, does that make it okay to do whatever we would like with them, and even hurt them? I think this is an important question for adults too. While stepping on ants may seem like too small an offense to worth mentioning, books like ‘Hey, Little Ant’ bring our focus back to one of compassion, integrity, empathy and concern for other living beings.
Before Your Were Mine
In Maribeth Boelt's tenderly written book Before You Were Mine a boy wonders what his dog’s life was like before he adopted him from a shelter. The boy contemplates a range of circumstances like perhaps the pup’s former owners didn’t realize the challenges that come with having a puppy. Maybe the puppy belonged to a family who loved him but had to move into an apartment where dogs weren’t allowed. The boy also thinks about some not-so-happy beginnings:
"Were you kept on a chain, with a dusty bowl and lonely sounds all around? Did someone say, “Bad dog,”even though it wasn’t true?"
For me, this book hits all the right notes. First of all, I think this story is a great one to share with children because it promotes adoption rather than buying from a breeder or pet store, two practices that are quite problematic for the plight of animals. Also, the young narrator explores a broad range of ideas as to why the puppy may have ended up at the shelter. Animals can become homeless as a result of someone’s irresponsibility, and lack of commitment. But animals are also surrendered to shelters because of difficult situations such as the landlord who doesn’t allow pets, allergies, or owners who have passed away, just to name a few. I can imagine that surrendering a pet when you feel that you have no other choice, would be extremely difficult. I appreciate the fairness of this book in validating those difficult situations, as well as those situations that could have been avoided.
I also appreciate the author's positive depiction of shelters. The story speaks of the puppy being rescued and how at the shelter he was given food, a bath, and a bed of his own. The shelter is shown as a nice place where animals are cared for. I hope that more books, along with TV shows and movies will do away with the ‘bad guy’ dog catcher and the image of shelters just being sad places, and promote a true image of shelters where animals are saved from neglect and even death, and loved and cared for.
Eye Witness Books
Eye Witness is a series of reference books for children which cover a wide variety of topics through vivid photographs and intriguing descriptions. Access to books that present the natural habitats and behaviour of animals help to dispel stereotypes, as well as, cultivate children's curiousity and sense of wonder about these animals.
Below are some books from the Institute of Humane Education's Resource Centre. I have not yet read these books but from reading information about them, I think they would be worth checking out. Click on the image to find out more information about each one.