Bright Eyes, Brown Skin By Cheryl Willis Hudson and Bernette G. Ford

Hudson, Cheryl Willis and Bernette G. Ford. Bright Eyes, Brown Skin. New Jersey: Just Us Books, 1990.

This book is in the form of a poem emphasizing the beauty and characteristics of all children and African American children in the form of the children enjoying typical activities at school. The children are very positive and portrayed as having lots of confidence and self-esteem. It celebrates a positive self-image of African American children by using phrases such as “teeth that glisten” and “very special hair and clothes.” This book is written by an insider author, Cheryl Willis Hudson, who is a co-founder of Just Us Books, Inc which is a premiere publisher of African American Interest books for children and young adults. Their website is a very valuable website for other high quality, authentic African American texts: www.justusbooks.com


This book is intended for students of preschool or kindergarten age. Hudson starts off the story as describing the characters in the story as “Bright eyes, brown skin.” This establishes with the readers the race of the characters in a very positive way. Hudson continues by very thoroughly depicting the children in the story as average, typical children by stating their characteristics that all children have such as “Bright eyes, cheeks that glow, chubby fingers, ticklish toes.” The drawings, which are also illustrated by an insider illustrator, George Ford, portray the children as regular students who go to school, and their routine activities. Hudson has done an excellent job of writing an authentic book that can build self esteem and positive self-image in African American readers. She is also successful in writing a book that outsiders can read and enjoy that will promote a message of inclusion and acceptance. Overall, this book is outstanding and should be included in every preschool classroom to promote a positive image and acceptance of African American students.

Book Review by Ashley Zimmerman

Reflection of Text Set - "Cognitive Disability" or Mental Illness

Throughout the three texts, Inside Out, Humming Whispers, and Kissing Doorknobs, there were many paralleled themes in relation to individuals who are “cognitively disabled” or mentally ill. Each character that suffered from a mental illness (Zach, Tara, and Nicole) made it apparent that although they were conscious of their actions, they could not help them.

Take for example the following quotes:

• Inside Out – Zach states, “The thing is, I am not normal. I’m not, and I can’t help it” (Trueman 7).
• Kissing Doorknobs – Tara states, “Do you think I want to do this! Do you think I like it?” (Hesser 66).
• Humming Whispers – Sophie states, “Nicole says being schizophrenic is like screaming in a closet where no one can hear you” (Johnson 112).

This theme is so significant because it clears up some misconceptions people may have about those who are mentally ill. I personally wondered if people who are “cognitively disabled” are aware of their “abnormal” actions. In learning that they both aware and helpless at times, have helped me better see that the illness or disability does not make the person. Through each of the characters, I have been able to make the necessary separation of their identities and their “disabilities.” It is also important to add that each of the characters took medication or participated in behavioral therapy to help manage and control their “abnormal” actions and thoughts.

Hesser, Terry Spencer. Kissing Doorknobs. New York: Delacorte Press, 1998.

Jonson, Angels. Humming Whispers. New York: Orchard Books, 1995.

Trueman, Terry. Inside Out. New York: Harper Collins, 2003.

Emma and Meesha My Boy a Two Mom Story

Considine, Kaitlyn. Emma and Meesha My Boy a Two Mom Story.Xlibris,2003.

This story is about a young girl learning how to take care of her pet cat. She just happens to have two moms. I really like this book because at first glance you may or may not know if her mom’s are a couple or if she has a step mom. However there is a page that states that she has a mommy and a mama this gives the impression of a same sex parented household. I think this book is a positive portrayal of a diverse family unit because it shows the family doing everyday relatable tasks. I also like how the focus of the book is not on the mom’s orientation. Through I think books that focus on the culture are important I also think it is important for the focus not to be on that culture. However, I think it is also pertinent to ensure that the culture’s voice is not being silenced trying to make the character appear normal. In this case where the family was not encountering issues or discriminations that affect this culture. I think is nice to just see a same-sex parented family going through day to day life.

Bryan, Jennifer. The Different Dragon. Illus. Danamarie Hosler. Ridley Park, PA: Two Lives, 2006.

Noah is a young boy living with his two mothers, little sister, and a plethora of pets. Although he no longer needs much help getting ready for bed he still loves to have a bedtime story told to him by his mom, Go-Ma. In a collaborative effort, Go-Ma and Noah weave a fantastical tale about journeying on a sailboat to a faraway land and meeting a dragon who may not be as fierce as he first seems.

Most of this book centers around the interaction between Noah and Go-Ma. While Noah’s other mother is pictured, she is never named. The illustrations depict Noah’s mothers as the matriarchs of a loving home, simply helping their children with all of those familiar bedtime routines. The fact that Noah comes from a family with same-sex parents merely frames the narrative. The central focus is Go-Ma and Noah’s bedtime story which carries a positive message about character, expectations, and acceptance. Jennifer Bryan presents Noah's family as normal part of his life, incidental to the overall story of The Different Dragon.

Illustrator Danamarie Hosler creates a beautiful home for Noah and his family, sprinkled with all the charms of a family living with two young kids. She is able to seamlessly transport the reader into the dreamy world of Noah and Go-Ma’s bedtime fairytale, making this a perfect book for anyone’s bedtime routine.

Looking After Louis

Ely, Lesley. Looking After Louis. First. London, England:
Frances Lincoln Children's Books, 2004.

Placed in a elementary school class, Looking After Louis follows a classmate of an autistic child as they interact with in the class. Louis is a student with autism, who is continually doing activities, as well as expressing behaviors in class that are very different from the other classmates. It is his desire to play soccer at recess that comes as a welcomed surprise to his teachers, as well as a learning experience for the narrator of the story.

Over all, I feel this is a really good resource to use in a classroom, especially one in which their may be a child with autism. Not only does it shed an encouraging light on inclusion in classrooms, but is also features a message for all readers. Also, a psychologist wrote a short section at the end of the book which includes information specifically about autism,along with specific characteristics, and an explanation for Louis's placement in a general education room. There are also suggestions for teachers with a student with autism in their classroom at the conclusion of the book. Another wonderful aspect of the book is that the setting is at a school, but because of how the illustrations are matched with the literature, the setting is less likely to be dated any time soon, so it could be used for years to come. Furthermore, according to the author's biography in the beginning of the book, the characters in the book are based off of students that she had in the past (as she was an English teacher) which makes a lot of sense when considering the placement of the story.

So many parents are concerned with the education of their student, let alone a students with autism. Finding the appropriate resources for their families, as well as making sure the child reaches all potential academically and otherwise is very important. Therefore, when going through the articles on the Autism Today website, I found the information in "Combating Autism" very interesting and helpful in developing my respect for families, as well as for teachers who are working to provide as much help as possible for this growing disability. This relates and compliments the comments at the be back of the book, which focused on helping parents, teachers, as well as other students understand and deal with autism.

The Deaf Musicians

Seeger, Pete and Duboise Jacobs, Paul

The Deaf Musicians

G.P. Putnam’s Sons. 2006

The Deaf Musicians is about a man named Lee. He played the piano and was very involved in music. He was a part of a band until his band mated noticed that his music was a little bit off. He had to tell them that he was losing his hearing, and when they found this out, one man said, “Who will listen to a deaf musician?” Lee then started going to a school for the deaf and here he found people who were deaf like him but who also had a passion for music. Lee made a new band of three deaf people who communicated through sign language, and one sing language interpreter, who sang for the band. Everyone loved Lee’s band’s music, even his old band mate who told Lee that no one would listen to his music.

Seeger and Duboise Jacobs discuss an issue of deafness that often isn’t discussed very much. They tackled a topic that dealt with a person’s passion instead of a topic of a deaf person having to learn sign language. This story never looked down on deaf people, but rather illustrated what people could do when they had a passion for something like music. The authors paint a great picture that things that someone loves doesn’t have to be given up when they find out they are losing their hearing. Instead of Lee giving up on music, he changed and adapted music to his new lifestyle. Seeger was knowledgeable about the topic of deafness because his father was deaf and every year he participates in a music festival where there are sign language interpreters. I would recommend this novel not only to families where there might be a deaf child, but to all families. It is a book of hope and inspiration that shows what can be done when you have such a passion for something.