Our Little Kitchen is so so good! We have also been reading Keepunumuk, a book written and illustrated by Indigenous people about the First Peoples’ experiences with “the newcomers.” My 5yo son keeps asking for it night after night.
I had a negative reaction to Greentail Mouse when I grabbed it off the shelf at the library. Maybe you can help me unpack it? I am a huge fan of Leo Lionni’s work almost always but I didn’t like the underlying idea that Mardi Gras is a festival that leads to corruption and evil — I love Mardi Gras as a time of community and was bummed to see it portrayed as something that created violence and unrest. Plus as a festival I feel it is often associated with Black American culture and so this book felt like…weirdly racist? Anyway. Would love to get different perspectives on my gut reaction!
Now that you’ve mentioned it, I can totally see it! My interpretation was that these little, simple mice thought it would be fun to celebrate Mardi Gras but they’re so naive they let it get to their heads and before you know it they’re letting fear rule them. In my mind, Mardi Gras just happened to be the festival.
I did some research and a lot of people consider this book open to interpretation because there’s so many ways to read it. I think one person even included it in their dissertation!
I really appreciate you sharing an alternative view. I will update the post and encourage people to read the comments to see another interpretation. Thank you!
Yeah I was fixing to check it out and then reshelved it and wanted to sort of think about it a bit more before I checked it out. I like the idea of just getting carried away and learning the difference between imaginary and real, which is really relevant at this age.
Honestly, I wonder if I had read it on a different day if my reaction would have been the same or not? Anyway, love your perspective, as always.
I'll be looking for these at the library today! I need to do my Thanksgiving shopping today, too. I'm most looking forward to the cranberry fruit salad that I make some years--it's just the four of us, so dishes that only I will eat often get bumped off the menu. But this year, I think I'll make the time.
Our Little Kitchen is so so good! We have also been reading Keepunumuk, a book written and illustrated by Indigenous people about the First Peoples’ experiences with “the newcomers.” My 5yo son keeps asking for it night after night.
I LOVE Keepunumuk! Such a beautifully told and illustrated story; so glad your kids are enjoying it!
Our Last Kitchen looks absolutely lovely!
It’s so delightful!!
Also, excited to check out Hugo and other books by this author whom I have yet to encounter!!
I had a negative reaction to Greentail Mouse when I grabbed it off the shelf at the library. Maybe you can help me unpack it? I am a huge fan of Leo Lionni’s work almost always but I didn’t like the underlying idea that Mardi Gras is a festival that leads to corruption and evil — I love Mardi Gras as a time of community and was bummed to see it portrayed as something that created violence and unrest. Plus as a festival I feel it is often associated with Black American culture and so this book felt like…weirdly racist? Anyway. Would love to get different perspectives on my gut reaction!
Now that you’ve mentioned it, I can totally see it! My interpretation was that these little, simple mice thought it would be fun to celebrate Mardi Gras but they’re so naive they let it get to their heads and before you know it they’re letting fear rule them. In my mind, Mardi Gras just happened to be the festival.
I did some research and a lot of people consider this book open to interpretation because there’s so many ways to read it. I think one person even included it in their dissertation!
I really appreciate you sharing an alternative view. I will update the post and encourage people to read the comments to see another interpretation. Thank you!
Yeah I was fixing to check it out and then reshelved it and wanted to sort of think about it a bit more before I checked it out. I like the idea of just getting carried away and learning the difference between imaginary and real, which is really relevant at this age.
Honestly, I wonder if I had read it on a different day if my reaction would have been the same or not? Anyway, love your perspective, as always.
I'll be looking for these at the library today! I need to do my Thanksgiving shopping today, too. I'm most looking forward to the cranberry fruit salad that I make some years--it's just the four of us, so dishes that only I will eat often get bumped off the menu. But this year, I think I'll make the time.
Yes! You deserve it! And also that sounds delicious. Feel free to share the recipe.
"Janet's Sister-in-Law's Cranberry Salad Recipe"
Coarsely chop one bag of fresh cranberries in a blender.
Stir in one cup of sugar and place cranberries in a colander over a bowl and allow to drain overnight.
Then:
Add one small can of pineapple tidbits (drained)
one cup or so of halved red grapes
one or two red apples, chopped.
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, or more, to taste.
Fold in one or two large dollops of fresh whipped cream and chill."
I'm glad to share so I had the opportunity to look up the recipe and put it on a card. I need to do that for more internet recipes that I love.
Love these picks, the topic and looking forward to our "party" in December.
I can’t wait!
Love all of these suggestions, Sri -- an excellent post, as usual!
Thank you, Sarah!