About This Book
Reach for this book when you want to connect your child to the concept of lineage and the beauty of simple living. It is a wonderful choice for bedtime or quiet time when a child asks about their grandparents' lives or expresses curiosity about how life looked before technology. These seventeen poems capture the essence of a Black childhood in the early 1900s, focusing on the sensory details of the rural South. Through rhythmic and gentle verse, Lessie Jones Little explores themes of family bonds, church community, and the wonders of the natural world. While the poems are historical, the emotions are timeless, making it highly appropriate for children ages 4 to 8. This collection serves as a gentle bridge between generations, helping children realize that while times change, the feelings of being loved and being part of a family remain the same.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book is remarkably gentle. The poems depict daily life during the Jim Crow era. While the focus is on the community's resilience and joy, parents may want to be prepared to answer questions about segregation. It is secular in its cultural depiction of church-going as a social and communal anchor. There are no direct depictions of trauma, making it a safe historical entry point.
