History In The Making

 History is knowledge, identity, and power, said Lerone Bennett Jr.,  senior editor and in-house historian of EBONY magazine. “History is knowledge because it is a practical perspective and a practical orientation. It orders and organizes our world and valorizes our projects.” 

In these historic times, as an independent people fight for their sovereignty, I am reminded of our own internal struggle that continue the ongoing complex struggles to define  and maintain democracy.  

For today’s post, I share these resources for children that may help them understand more about the war and about Ukraine.

Deborah Farmer Kris of PBS offers some suggestions about how to talk to kids about Ukraine. As Kris offers, books are a great way to open up younger children’s understanding of the world and foster empathy. These three picture books about refugees can help kids get a better understanding of this and other conflicts around the world:

1. "What Is a Refugee?" (Ages 3-7) by Elise Gravel . This book is a simple, accessible introduction to what it means to be a refugee.

2. "Lubna and Pebble" (Ages 4-8) written by Wendy Meddour and illustrated by Daniel Egnéus. A young girl holds on to her special pebble at a refugee camp — only to give it to a child who needs it even more.

3. "Lost and Found Cat: The True Story of Kunkush's Incredible Journey" (Ages 4-8) written by Doug Kuntz and Amy Shrodes; illustrated by Sue Cornelison. The true story of how aid workers in Greece helped an Iraqi refugee family reunite with their beloved pet.

From World KidLit Month Translate This, translators Hanna Leliv and Anna Walden share their recommendations of Ukrainian books: ones already in translation and ones that ought to be translated! 

Patricia Polacco’s many picturebooks  books features Ukrainian folklore and family stories from when she grew up in Ukraine. And for a special treat comes this video From Reading Rhino, performing Rechenka’s Eggs.

Check out these books at your local library from master storyteller, Eric Kimmel.  These include The Spiders Gift: A Ukrainian Christmas Story (2010) and The Bird’s Gift: A Ukrainian Easter Story (1999).

From Ukrainian-Canadian children’s writer, Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch      features Ukraine in her stories, including the riveting story of Silver Threads (1996).  

 

Ukraine Colors From Wikipedia

To create change, states Elizabeth Partridge (2020), “…requires heroic, courageous people who dare to defy the prevailing narrative.”

-- Bobbi Miller