Veronika reviewed Free to Be . . . a Family: A Book about All Kinds of Belonging on + 103 more book reviews
From School Library Journal
Grade 1 Up This sequel to Free to Be. . .You and Me (McGraw-Hill, 1974) celebrates ``all kinds of belonging'' and the extraordinary diversity among families. The theme of this timely anthology is the extension of the concept of ``family'' to include adoptive and foster families, step-families, relatives, friends, community, culture, andultimatelyglobal humanity. The nearly 50 selections include stories, poems, short plays, essays, comics, and songs. This literary and musical smorgasbord includes essays by Marlo Thomas, Gloria Steinem, and Kurt Vonnegut; poems by Shel Silverstein, Judith Viorst, Charlotte Zolotow, and others; stories that range from trite and silly to subtle and compassionate; lyrics and music by popular songwriters such as Carly Simon, Kris Kristofferson, and The Fat Boys; and full-color illustrations in a multitude of styles by Susan Jeffers, Leo and Diane Dillon, John Steptoe, Arnold Lobel, and Jerry Pinckney. The integrity and significance of this book emerges through the collection as a whole, not from the individual selections, which differ tremendously in literary quality, aesthetic style, and emotional appeal. Yet each offering celebrates in its own waywith acceptance, joy, compassion, and unfailing optimism``the day. . .when all the family of humans/ are one'' (``We and They'' by Lucille Clifton). A book to read and to share. Pamela Miller Ness, The Fenn School, Concord, Mass.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Grade 1 Up This sequel to Free to Be. . .You and Me (McGraw-Hill, 1974) celebrates ``all kinds of belonging'' and the extraordinary diversity among families. The theme of this timely anthology is the extension of the concept of ``family'' to include adoptive and foster families, step-families, relatives, friends, community, culture, andultimatelyglobal humanity. The nearly 50 selections include stories, poems, short plays, essays, comics, and songs. This literary and musical smorgasbord includes essays by Marlo Thomas, Gloria Steinem, and Kurt Vonnegut; poems by Shel Silverstein, Judith Viorst, Charlotte Zolotow, and others; stories that range from trite and silly to subtle and compassionate; lyrics and music by popular songwriters such as Carly Simon, Kris Kristofferson, and The Fat Boys; and full-color illustrations in a multitude of styles by Susan Jeffers, Leo and Diane Dillon, John Steptoe, Arnold Lobel, and Jerry Pinckney. The integrity and significance of this book emerges through the collection as a whole, not from the individual selections, which differ tremendously in literary quality, aesthetic style, and emotional appeal. Yet each offering celebrates in its own waywith acceptance, joy, compassion, and unfailing optimism``the day. . .when all the family of humans/ are one'' (``We and They'' by Lucille Clifton). A book to read and to share. Pamela Miller Ness, The Fenn School, Concord, Mass.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
