Multicultural/International Literature

A. Bibliography 

Tak, Bibi Dumon.  2013. SOLDIER BEAR. Ill. by Philip Hopman. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Book for Young Readers. ISBN 9780802854360.

 

B.  Plot Summary

Set during the tumultuous backdrop of World War II, Soldier Bear is the true story of Voytek -- the bear cub rescued and raised by Polish soldiers.  The orphaned bear became not only their mascot, charming everyone and inspiring his fellow soldiers through their fight for freedom, but a symbol of peace for everyone who met him.

 

C.  Critical Analysis  

Dutch author Bibi Dumon Tak tells the true story of an Iranian brown bear destined to become a famous war hero.  In her book Soldier Bear, Tak weaves a mesmerizing tale of the famous five-hundred-pound bear Wojtek, who served as “Private” for the Polish army during World War II.  Wojtek -- named “Voytek” (the phonetic spelling of his name) in Soldier Bear -- not only served as a beloved companion to the Polish soldiers who found him, but went so far as fulfilling “duties,” such as carrying ammunition boxes weighing over one hundred pounds.

 Although some soldiers who “found” Voytek are fictional, most details in the book Soldier Bear remain accurate: after being adopted by the Polish soldiers, this famous bear traveled with them from Iran to Egypt, and then Italy.  Although Voytek received his ration of food, Voytek especially loved drinking water, beer, and even smoked and ate cigarettes during his time of service.  Whenever his presence was questioned, the other soldiers often argued that Voytek was, pardon the pun, a bear necessity; he was, after all, one of their only sources of emotional support and, often, entertainment.  Voytek was, inasmuch as Polish values were concerned, simply “family” to the soldiers who needed him just as much as he needed them.   

Managing to win most people over eventually, Voytek even became the inspiration for his 22nd Company’s trademark, which depicted him carefully carrying ammunition boxes.

 Despite the overall lightheartedness of Soldier Bear, it also contains some dark moments that inevitably show its young readers how war is undeniably violent, and that loss is inevitable.  For example, one of the fictional characters, Stanislav, admonishes his friend and fellow soldier Lolek: “If you’d been five minutes earlier, the soldiers might be alive now but if you’d been just one minute earlier, bits of you would be hanging in the trees, just like those other two soldiers, and they’d have been trying to work out which bits belonged to which soldier.”  Furthermore, Soldier Bear does not spare young readers from learning about the deaths of Voytek’s frenemy monkey Kaska and her baby -- something that the author presents as a fact that is tragic but must be accepted.  When World War II came to an end and everyone was being sent home, Voytek was eventually given to the Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland -- a heart wrenching moment sure to bring tears to readers’ eyes. 

War, love, laughter, loss -- all these can be found in Bibi Dumon Tak’s Soldier Bear.  It is the story of a bear whose name meant “happy warrior,” and whose loyalty and friendship meant so much to the Polish soldiers he helped during World War II.     

 

D. Review Excerpts 

Kirkus: “Funny, fresh and heartwarming, it doesn't ignore the horrors of war but concentrates on the joy of having an animal friend, albeit a difficult one.”

 

School Library Journal: “Kids are sure to fall in love with this bear while being gently introduced to war and being touched by the message of peace.”

 

E. Connections

More books about Wojtek:

 

Ascherson, Neal. WOJTEK THE BEAR: POLISH WAR HERO. ISBN 978-1843410652

 

Cutchin, James A. ONCE A HERO: THE STORY OF PRIVATE WOJTEK BEAR WWII SOLDIER. ISBN 978-1478762898

 

Orr, Aileen. WOJTEK THE BEAR: POLISH WAR HERO. ISBN 978-1841588452

 

Robertson, Jenny. WOJTEK: WAR HERO BEAR. ISBN 978-1780272276

 

 

 

 

A.  Bibliography  

Fox, M., & Horacek, J. (2017). GOOD NIGHT, SLEEP TIGHT. Lindfield, N.S.W.: Scholastic Australia. ISBN 978-0545533706

B. Plot Summary 

In this adorable tale we follow Skinny Doug the babysitter as he tells Bonnie and Ben endless nursery rhymes!  These have been passed down and around for many decades if not centuries. After each nursery rhyme they enjoy it so much they ask to hear it again, but Skinny Doug just tells them a new rhyme until finally it is time for bed!

 

C.  Critical Analysis 

Aside from the authors being from Australia, there aren’t many cultural markers that are seen. The characters appear to be caucasian with brown and blonde hair.  Nose and fingertips are unrealistically pointy and skin tone seems unmatched. 

The representation of the characters seems modern in their clothes, interactions and home. In the nursery rhyme Pat-O-Cake the characters are dressed in a tall hat, long coat, dress with bow, hats and a tie.  This seemed appropriate for the era of the given nursery rhyme.  

The bedding of the children’s bed appears to be a patchwork pattern.  There are also traditional toys illustrated such as bicycles and figurines, but with a closer look it seems that the small figures are characters from the nursery rhymes Skinny Doug tells the children.  

D. Review Excerpts 

Good Reads: Another perfect picture book from the creators of the best selling classic "Where is the Green Sheep?"  Bonnie and Ben have a favorite babysitter whose much loved nursery rhymes ensure a wonderful, whimsical world before bedtime

Publishers Weekly: This is one of those sneaky stories that starts out slight and unsurprising but is over far too soon. Fox combines the power of repetition with a lead character—a cool babysitter named Skinny Doug—who acts as a Scheherazade of nursery rhymes. His two charges immediately imagine themselves as players or spectators in the familiar rhymes: sitting in a yellow roadster (with Skinny Doug in the driver’s seat), they watch the little piggy run down a hill saying, “Wee, wee, wee, wee,” all the way home. Both enthralled and sensing a way to delay bedtime, the kids demand repeat performances (“ ‘We love it! We love it!’ said Bonnie and Ben./ ‘How does it go? Will you say it again?’ ”), only to discover that Skinny Doug always has a new tale up his striped sleeve. Horacek, Fox’s collaborator on the Where Is the Green Sheep?, has again found a text ideal for her naïf watercolor and ink cartoons. The pictures’ visual directness and goofy playfulness capture the spirit of the timeless rhymes and the enviable relationship between the lanky storyteller and his adoring audience. Ages 3–5. 

E. Connections  

Look for these other books about bedtime or sleeping for young readers:

Brown, Margaret. GOOD NIGHT MOON. ISBN 978-0694003617

Wood, Audrey. THE NAPPING HOUSE. ISBN 978-0152567088

Fox, Mem. TIME FOR BED. ISBN 978-0152010669

 

A.  Bibliography  

Lam, T. (2020). THE PAPER BOAT: A REFUGEE STORY. Owlkids. ISBN 978-1771473637

B. Plot Summary 

Lam draws parallel stories in this wordless book. A Vietnamese family follows a colony of ants through tall grass, past terrifying soldiers, to their rescue boat. The ants, too, survive their perilous paper boat journey. The muted palette depicts a journey of courage and survival.

 

C.  Critical Analysis 

This powerful picture book is a wordless recreation via metaphor of the author's family's journey from Vietnam to Canada at the end of the Vietnam War. Only two at the time, Thao Lam remembers little of the events themselves, but has taken her mother's story and crafted it beautifully for this children's book.

Working in her preferred mixed-media/collage art style, she tells the tale of a Vietnamese family forced to flee their homeland by boat, merging seamlessly with the tale of ants also embarking on a perilous journey using a paper boat her mother folded to keep her quiet and entertained while hiding from military brutality. The ants have a hard time out on the open water, beset by heat, birds, hunger and storms. So it is almost magical when the ants make their way to safety, just as Ms Lam's family does, finally settling in beautiful urban Canada.

D. Review Excerpts 

Booklist: "Each panel is so detailed that readers will want to linger over them all, admiring Lam’s craft even while being immersed in emotions. A tender tribute to the author’s parents and to all refugees who survive and thrive despite enormous odds."

Publishers Weekly: "Crisply cut paper represents intricate domestic scenes and just as skillfully conveys suspense... in this story of bravery and resilience."

E. Connections  

Look for these other children’s books and refugees and immigration:

Sanna, Francesca. THE JOURNEY. ISBN 798-1909263994

Meddour, Wendy. LUBNA AND PEBBLE. ISBN 978-0525554165

Van, Muon Thi. WISHES. ISBN 978-1338305890

Bibliography:

Matti, Truus. MISTER ORANGE. Brooklyn, Enchanted Lion Books, 2012. ISBN 

978-1592701230

 

Plot Summary:

Translated from Dutch, this book is about a young delivery boy who takes over a grocery delivery route after his eldest brother, Albie, leaves to fight in World War II. Through letters from Albie and his interactions with artist Mister Orange, Linus Muller learns the devastating effects war has on families and victims as well as the importance of having an optimistic view of the future.

 

Critical Analysis: 

Mister Orange is a coming-of-age story in which the protagonist quickly grows up and learns the brutal realities of war. All of the characters in Mister Orange are culturally accurate in regards to physical characteristics, socio-economic statuses, and emotional attributes and authentically represent the people in New York City during World War II. Linus, the main character in the story, is relatable and accurately represents a teenage middle child who reads comic books and looks up to his oldest brother. Having two older brothers and three younger siblings, Linus wears hand-me-downs, which is common in large low-income families, and helps his family deliver groceries after his oldest brother, Albie, takes off to war. Linus, like most young teenagers, experiences a range of emotions throughout the story: pride that his oldest brother is off at war, anger that Albie never mentioned the outcome of the prank in his letter to the family, fear that his brother may not come home alive, sadness over the loss of a dear friend, and jubilation when his family receives news from the Department of War. Even though this book is historical fiction, one of the characters, Mister Orange, is based on an actual person, artist Piet Mondrain. His portrayal in this book is also authentic and reflects the distinct cultural experiences, realities, and worldviews that World War II immigrants experienced at that time. Mister Orange’s interactions with Linus are also culturally authentic in that Mister Orange obviously has an accent, his real name is difficult to pronounce, and he teaches Linus that both he and Albie are fighting for the future and the freedom to think and express oneself, which the Nazis fear.

In regards to the setting, the story is set in New York City in the year 1943. Some cultural markers that are consistent with this historical time period are grocery delivery services using carts, letter writing, blue and gold stars displayed on windows, Nazi references, Action Comics and Superman references, Snow White references, Boogie-Woogie music, and war references such as trenches, trench foot, and grenades. Although this story celebrates diversity by providing insight to a refugee’s worldview, it also brings to light the common bonds in humanity, which are to protect the freedom to think, and invites readers to reflect on their freedoms. Even though there are only four illustrations in the entire book, the black and white illustrations of Linus and Mister Orange add to the story. The last illustration of Mister Orange’s residence and his diamond-shaped painting is as captivating as Linus describes in the story. Furthermore, this concluding illustration befittingly introduces an informative section detailing the life of the real Mister Orange, Piet Mondrain, and his incomplete work, Victory Boogie-Woogie.

 

Review Excerpts:

Publishers Weekly:  “It’s a quiet novel, but a deeply touching one.”

 

Kirkus Reviews: “A poignant story of art, growth, and loss.”

 

 

Connections:

Related books with young characters during World War II:

 

Frank, Anne. THE DIARY OF A YOUNG GIRL. ISBN 978-0553296983

 

Bradley, Kimberly. THE WAR THAT SAVED MY LIFE. ISBN 978-0142402511

 

Lowry, Lois. NUMBER THE STARS. ISBN 978-0547577098