This is an excellent teaching tool for children that paves the way
towards acceptance for those of us who have various forms of disability. Don't call Me Names is about kindness and
compassion. When children see people noticeably different, this book teaches them we are all the same in many ways and everyone
should always be treated with respect.
If a picture is worth 1,000 words, then the superb
illustrations by Kristy Lyons has a higher word count than the galley text so
poetically written by C. W. Graham in her book, Don’t Call Me Names. However
like peanut butter & jelly, they work better together than each on their own,
forming a synergy of sensory stimulation for young minds. Move over Dr. Seuss, although Green Eggs & Ham may make a kid
chuckle, Chad, Missy and Zach will teach your child kindness, respect for
handicapped children, and very important lessons of understanding the
differences some children have.
In Don’t Call Me Names,
author C. W. Graham uses a pleasant varying meter foot to her verse, with a catchy
Ogden Nash-ish light heartiness, and an economy of words getting right to the
point. Her maternal instincts are self
evident, as a parent or loved one would echo her words repetitively, after reading this book to their children, as kids learn such
necessary lessons.
The duet of poetry and pictures has a harmony to the reader,
as turning each page reveals a new chapter about another disability. The images along with the associated poetry
convey a sense of comfort, disarming the shock for children when they
inevitably see other children with disabilities out in public. The vocabulary of each condition is artfully and
semantically defined to promote cognitive understanding for young, growing
minds. Understanding is the foundation
for compassion. Treating others as you
would like to be treated yourself, a lesson we all have heard many times, in
many ways, is told in yet another way in this beautifully bound book of childhood
poems.
Like a dozen roses tossed upon a stage after an
exquisite performance, C. W. Graham places twelve words in a Glossary, at the end of her book, along
with other aids to further enable dialogue and discussion. Exquisitely printed by e-Merge Publishing,
this book is a treat for the senses with the excellent quality and attention to
detail. As one of her poems says, “Now
meet Blair, and before you stare, let’s hear his story; it’s only fair,” I
found myself staring at this book for literally hours marveling at what seems so simple yet is done so elegantly.
Buy this book at Amazon.com
