100 Days and 99 Nights

 

• About the Book 

100 Days and 99 Nights

by Alan Madison
Little, Brown and Company
Copyright 2008

Set in northern Virginia, Alan Madison's 100 Days and 99 Nights is the fictional story of Esmerelda Swishback McCarther's journey and growth during the modern day, wartime deployment of her father, Sgt. August McCarther.  Through interviews with kids whose fathers were deployed, Madison achieves a resonating and uplifting peek into the changes that this second grader goes through over 100 days and 99 nights.

The changes that Esme confronts when her dad leaves for his tour of duty are many.  The blissfulness and contentment she felt while making the top-secret McCarther Family "Top-Dog Tasty Pancakes" on Saturday mornings is replaced by chaos and disorder - they just can't seem to perform their tasks the same, for her father held the pancake cooking team together.  The routines she depended on so much are altered.  The morning routine of getting ready for school with her younger brother, Ike, is markedly different without her father to help maintain order.  The rules that Esme and Ike felt so comfortable following get broken.  At school, Ike gets into a fight on the playground and breaks their father's important playground rule of "the first person to hit is the first person to run out of good ideas."  The jokes that her father made that would have Esme nearly fall off her chair with laughter are absent, like the way he made the word "spatula" sound so funny: "Spaaatulllaaa, spa-chew-la, sssspit-u-laaa."  The family members' roles and responsibilities are switched and flipped, especially for Esme.  She must take on more of a lead role in her house, especially when it comes to the care of her younger brother, who in turn, is resistant to the change.

Things just aren't the same without Dad.  Yet, in her wish for the 100 days and 99 nights to fly swiftly by, Esme takes on another role.  She begins to actively support the troops.  Even through minor setbacks, she rallies her class to help the troops after learning about what the "home front" did during World War II.  She organizes a scrap metal drive to donate to the Army for the production of safety gear for the soldiers.  As a result, Esme gets a story in the paper that reaches her father's proud eyes, and especially his soldiers in the desert.  Morale is lifted as they thank and congratulate Sgt. McCarther for his daughter's contribution.

• I Spy from a Writing Perspective: Esme's Voice

Esme's sincere, reflective, and often times, humorous voice is relatable and drives the story of the military family's sacrifice home for kids.  It is an honest portrayal of a child's resiliency in the midst of confusion, being "mad-sad," frustration, and fear at the question of why her father's duty is country first, family second, and whether or not he will come home safely.  The character of Esme is wonderfully built through personal thoughts, discourse, and interaction between family members.  Also, in each chapter introduction the reader learns more about Esme as she tells the stories behind her more than twenty-six stuffed animals that make up her A to Z animal collection.  She is the true military brat: devoted to her family, respectful, honest, worldly, and insightful.  Children from all types of families are bound to walk away from this story thinking about many of her positive qualities.

• I Spy from a Counseling/Educational Perspective: Deployment Tips for Families

Today, families in all branches of service are enduring deployments that run anywhere from three months to a year with multiple tours.  Many schools with large populations of military families offer support groups for children whose parents are actively deployed during the school year.  If you are a parent or legal guardian of a child whose has an immediate family member deployed, inquire with your classroom teacher and/or grade level guidance counselor on the outreach services that may be helpful to them.  Even if it's just a non-deployment related friendship or lunch group that provides an outlet for support.  It is important for families with temporarily absent mothers and fathers to maintain as much of their regular daily schedules as possible, while discussing the new parts of the routines with children.  It may also be helpful to post the new routine so children can refer to it.  For example, a parent may write:

• Morning Routine

1. 7:00AM - Wake up (SAME)
2. 7: 05AM - Get dressed, brush teeth, and comb hair (SAME)
3. 7:20AM - Eat breakfast at the kitchen table (SAME)
4. 7:35AM - Help mom make your lunches (DIFFERENT - Dad used to make lunches so Mom could get ready to drive you to school.)
5. 7:45AM - Check your backpacks for homework and books (DIFFERENT - A responsibility that helps mom out.)
6. 8:00AM - Get in the car to leave for school (SAME)

Another tip may be to have a weekly time to discuss thoughts, feelings, and questions with your child.  The parent or caregiver could name this time something fun like "The (Enter Surname) Family Huddle" or another name to make the time significant and give it special meaning.  It doesn't necessarily have to be weekly.  Perhaps this meeting time only occurs when the parent feels that the child is in need of discussion/reflection time (struggling at home, in school, with friends, or having difficulty coping with certain feelings, etc.).

Veteran military families who have done many deployments have loads of great ideas for helping children get through a difficult time.  Letters, emails, video-making, and pictures are great activities to keep communication as current as possible.  Countdown calenders and milestone events can also be a great way to celebrate getting closer to homecoming.  Crossing off weeks or days on a calendar can be part of a new, night time routine.  Many families celebrate special holidays that the deployed parent missed when they arrive home.  Christmas in the summer can be fun!  Birthdays are also celebrated past their official days.  Even more, planning activities that have nothing to do with deployment are important as well.  Simply, kids need to be kids.  Therefore, watching the adult maintain an overall, positive attitude is key for children.

Lastly, literature and books are great resources, just like Alan Madison's 100 Days and 99 Nights.  Many kids will be able to identify with one or more of the feelings and obstacles that a character like Esme Swishback McCarther is facing.  It is important to reiterate that Madison's book was created after interviewing kids whose parents were serving a three month tour of duty.  Sometimes, it helps to just to know that other people are going through the same issues, too.

• I Spy, More!

•  100 Days and 99 Nights by Alan Madison on Amazon.com
• Author Alan Madison's website
• Children Deployment Books on Amazon.com
• Sesame Workshop's Talk, Listen Connect: Deployments, Homecomings, Changes, Grief - *Resourceful videos available for kids that deal with everything from the loss of a family member to preparing for deployment.* 
• Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund (non-profit) website - founded in October 2003 as a means of providing College Grants and Financial Assistance to surviving children and spouses of our U.S. military service members who have lost their lives in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Ish

• About the Book    

Ish

Written and illustrated by Peter Reynolds

Candlewick Press

Copyright 2004

If you're looking for a book to ease the self-doubt of your struggling young artist, storyteller, dancer, or creator of any kind, then Ish (Candlewick Press, 2004) by acclaimed author and illustrator Peter H. Reynolds may just be your golden ticket.

Ish follows the creative endeavors of a young boy, Ramon.  He is an incessant drawer - no place is off limits for him to draw - not even on the toilet seat.  Yet, his brother, Leon, injects doubt into Ramon's depiction of a vase of flowers when he laughs and asks, "WHAT is THAT?"  The ease at which Ramon once drew disappears.  For months, he just can't get it "right," and one day he declares, "I'm done."  However, Ramon has a fan he doesn't know exists - his younger sister, Marisol.  Ramon discovers all of his crumpled artwork displayed on the walls of her room.  They stand together and look at the drawing of the vase of flowers that Leon had ridiculed.  Ramon laments, "It doesn't even look like [a vase]."  Marisol exclaims, "Well, it looks vase-ISH!"

And he's back!  "ISH" becomes Ramon's artistic mantra.  He begins to draw ish objects, ish feelings, and ish poems without reservation.  Ramon understands that his work doesn't have to be perfect, and that he doesn't have to try so hard to make it "right," but just make it his own.  Reynold's book illustrates that in the world of creative expression, what is not popular to one person (Leon), may be popular to another (Marisol).

• I Spy from a Counseling/Educational Perspective: Working with Feelings of Self-doubt

Self-doubt and frustration are common feelings when children take on a new task, learn a skill, or attempt to reach goals that require work and commitment.  It is helpful for children who feel unsure to discover different ways to approach a task, practice a skill, or reach a goal.  A child's confidence can also increase by talking through scenarios, planning steps, creating positive self-talk statements, and receiving positive reinforcement in the form of specific verbal praise ("You use the color red so nicely in that picture."  Rather than, "That picture is great!").  Self-doubt creeps into our minds across the life span, not just as a growing child.  As we age, having a positive internal dialogue does come in handy.   

Ish is the sequel to Peter H. Reynold's award-winning book, The Dot, in which main character, Vashti, believes she cannot draw until her art teacher encourages her to "make a mark and see where it takes you."  Reynold's website states that he will be writing a third book for what he calls his "creatrilogy."  It will be interesting to see what obstacle the next character faces.  Ramon could definitely help.

• I Spy, More!

• "Creative Play Helps Children Grow" by Marilyn Lopes
• Creative Child Magazine: Helping Parents Nurture Their Child's Creativity

Tokyo Friends: Tokyo No Tomadachi

• About the Book

Tokyo Friends: Tokyo No Tomadachi

Written and illustrated by Betty Reynolds

Tuttle Publishing

Copyright 1999

In author and illustrator Betty Reynold's Tokyo Friends, the Japanese language and culture come alive for children.  Reynold's spent seven years in Japan and her background gives Tokyo No Tomadachi (translation: Tokyo Friends) its stilts.  Katie, an American girl, befriends Keiko and her brother, Kenji in Tokyo.  Together, the three friends discover the differences between American and Japanese cultures.  They explore greetings, eating customs, transportation, school, sleeping arrangements, celebrations, festivals, and more.  It is a fascinating book for young children who are interested in learning about life in other parts of the world, for parents/teachers/caregivers who would like to teach them about unique cultures, and for families who are fortunate to travel to Japan.

Each page introduces a new Japanese custom, frequently using short, rhyming couplets that read fluidly and entice children to listen while increasing the opportunity for memory retention.  The illustrations are truly one of the highlights of this informative picture book.  Reynold's art is colorful and detailed without being overwhelming.  English words and their Japanese translations and pronunciations caption the people, places, events, and objects depicted. 

• I Spy from a Counseling/Educational Perspective: Cultural Awareness & Foreign Language Skills

The format of the book calls for discussion and interaction between reader and child.  Even for advanced child readers, help will be needed to pronounce many of the Japanese words.  A hallmark of Reynold's book is the communication it inspires between parent/teacher/caregiver and child.  Not to mention that it's a benefit for the adult learner, too!

Empathy grows and an appreciation and understanding for how others live is instilled when a child learns about the differences in the traditions, customs, and cultures of other people.  It is a great gift to children's literature when a child's knowledge of the world is expanded through a wonderfully illustrated and rhythmically written book like Tokyo Friends.

• I Spy, More!

• Look inside Tokyo Friends on Amazon!
• More titles by Betty Reynolds
• Yokoso! Japan (Welcome!)
• Japan National Tourism Association
• Japan's Official Travel Website
• Kids Web Japan

Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon

• About the Book

Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon

by Patty Lovell

Illustrated by David Catrow

Putnam Juvenile

Copyright 2001

In their book, Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon, author Patty Lovell and illustrator David Catrow create a fantastical story about a tiny little girl who balances penny's on her teeth, and achieve a realistic message about pursuing a positive self-concept and handling teasing.  In Molly Lou's case, a positive self-concept and combating teasing go hand-in-hand.

It just so happens that Molly Lou Melon has a funny voice, buck teeth, and a very, very short stature.  Yet, she has one person in her life who tells her to embrace those characteristics, to put them into action, and display them for others to look up to.  That person is her grandmother.  As the book demonstrates, Molly Lou's quest for self-expression and her ability to "stand tall" greatly influences those around her.  She takes the advice of her grandmother and utilizes her characteristics in a multitude of successful ways.  She is outwardly unaffected by Ronald Durkin's persistent verbal jabs as a result of her daily achievements.  Simply, Molly Lou is too busy making touchdowns and beautiful art to let Ronald get in the way.

• I Spy from a Counseling/Educational Perspective: Does Ignoring Work?

To ignore teasing is one strategy for children to use when confronted with this type of bullying by another student.  It is a difficult method for many young children to consistently implement over time, especially if the teasing is frequent and becomes threatening.  In that case, the child being teased must know how to report the bullying incidents in order to receive help from a higher level authority.  It is important for the adults surrounding that child to be aware of change in behavior, school performance, and other cues that may indicate being victimized.  It is imperative for parents to develop a home environment and for teachers to create a classroom community where children feel safe and heard.  The art of ignoring (and I call it "art" because it is a skill that can be taught through role-play and practice) can be effective in deterring the frequency of teasing.  However, other methods must be used to deal with the effects of teasing on a child like supportive group of adults, family, and friends that are emotionally present to listen and help.  Molly Lou has her grandmother (a key figure of resiliency) and her classmates who consistently give her positive reinforcement.

At the end of the book, Ronald's teasing ceases and he makes an attempt to befriend her.  After getting to know Molly Lou Melon's personality in this picture book, the reader foresees that Ronald's attempt to be friends just may, in fact, be accepted.

• I Spy, More!

• Check out scholastic.com for an early elementary lesson plan which can be implemented at home and in the classroom using Patty Lovell's Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon as its framework.

• Visit Stop Bullying Now! for information on bullying prevention, strategies, and working with children who are being bullied, as well as those who bully, and more.