Winners are good sports
You've heard it before: "It's not whether you win or loose. It's how you play the game." We try to teach children that concept, but often the media delivers a different message.
One example is the number of television programs that are about winning. Win no matter what it takes — lie, cheat, deceive, and heaven help the one who gets in the way. Think of "reality" TV shows that are a huge success. "Survivor." "The Bachelor." "The Apprentice." Many of the messages in these and similar shows are not about fair play, compassion or empathy. They are about winning. They are about self.
Offering an alternative perspective, today's books focus on being a part of a team, sticking with the program when things are difficult and being a good friend and a good person. I think those things are important. What about you?
The following book is available at many public libraries.<B>"From Me to You"</B> by Anthony France; illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke; Candlewick; 32 pages; read aloud: age 3 to 4 and older; read yourself: age 7 and older.Rat is in the dumps. Day and night he mopes around feeling sorry for himself. His friends haven't visited him in a long time, and "doing nothing with no one is no fun at all." Then a letter arrives telling Rat he is a very special and wonderful friend, but there isn't a signature. Suddenly Rat's life takes on new meaning in many different ways.Cheerful and upbeat, "From Me to You" is a perfectly rendered story of the reciprocal nature of love, friendship, and selfless acts of kindness.
<B>Library:</B> North Trails Public Library, 1553 West Sunbury Road, West Sunbury<B>Library Director:</B> Kathy D. Kline<B>Choices this week:</B> <B>"Who Said Moo?"</B> by Harriet Ziefert and Simms Taback; <B>"The Kissing Hand"</B> by Audrey Penn; <B>"Bud, Not Buddy"</B> by Christopher Paul Curtis
The following books are available at favorite bookstores.<B>"Michael's Golden Rules"</B> by Deloris Jordan with Roslyn Jordan; introduction by Michael Jordan; illustrated by Kadir Nelson; Simon & Schuster, 2007; 32 pages; $16.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 6 and older; read yourself: age 8 and older.Jonathan loves to play baseball and he loves being on the same team as his best friend, Michael. Their team, the Badgers, is having a rough season, and Jonathan is discouraged. When Michael's uncle, Jack, shares his golden rules of baseball with the boys, Jonathan isn't sure he understands. But the more he thinks about each rule and applies his thoughts and efforts, the results start to take shape."Michael's Golden Rules" provides an excellent framework for lessons on teamwork, friendship and doing your best, whether in a sport or any other endeavor.<B>"The Longest Season"</B> by Cal Ripken Jr.; illustrated by Ron Mazellan; Philomel, 2007; 32 pages; $16.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 6 and older; read yourself: age 8 and older.When the baseball season opened in 1988, the Baltimore Orioles were pumped for a winning season, especially Cal Ripken Jr. Cal and his brother were playing on the same team for the first time, and their father was managing the Orioles that year. But the Orioles lost their first game, and the second, and the third. In fact, they lost the first 21 games of that season and had become the laughingstock of baseball.Baseball great Cal Ripken, Jr. shares his story of frustration and persistence, and how much more he learned by losing in 1988 than he has ever learned by winning.Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached via e-mail at kendal@sunlink.net.
