We’d all do well to slow down, slow down to be more observant, more aware of others and the world around us. Slowing down helps us all to be more sensitive to life. Reading great books with kids that address different angles of sensitivity helps raise our awareness, such as the books reviewed below.
Ask your librarian and bookseller to direct you to others. The world would be a better place if we all were more receptive and compassionate to others and our world. You have the power to help make that happen.
Begin today. Books to borrow The following book is available at many public libraries. “Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla” by Katherine Applegate, illustrated by G.
Brian Karas, Clarion Books, 40 pages Read aloud: age 4 – 8. Read yourself: age 7 – 8. Born in central Africa, baby gorilla Ivan and another baby gorilla were captured and brought to a shopping mall in Tacoma, Wash.
The purpose was to attract shoppers to the mall, and it worked. Not long after their arrival, the other baby gorilla died, leaving Ivan alone. Over time, customers and other concerned citizens were no longer curious about Ivan; they were enraged about his horrible life.
Ivan had lived 27 years in a cage without the company of other gorillas. Young and old rallied across the nation to free Ivan, writing letters, signing petitions and holding protests. At long last, the peoples’ voices were heard, and Ivan was moved to Zoo Atlanta, where he would be gently cared fo.
