Across the Alley

Across the Alley
by Richard Michelson
illustrated by E.B. Lewis

I began reading this book to my kids and after a few pages I stopped. It is about two boys who live across the alley from one another. They were great friends, though they never played with one another aside from tossing a ball across the alley from their bedroom windows. Willie was black and played baseball. Abe was Jewish and played the violin.

I stopped reading the book because I didn't like the stereotypes that were presented in the book, specifically by Abe's grandfather. However, I silently read further in the book and decided to proceed in reading it to my kids. I was pleased to see that the stereotypes were broken and in fact, Willie turned out to be quite the violin player and Abe turned out to be a quite a baseball pitcher.

Down the Road

Down the Road 

by Alice Schertle
illustrated by E.B. Lewis

Walking down the long road to town all by herself for the very first time, Hetty is thrilled that her parents have decided that she is old enough to go to town to get fresh eggs for their morning breakfast. Hetty makes it to town and gets the eggs. She is very careful not to break them. However, as she reaches up to pick apples for her and her parents, her basket tips...and tips a bit more until all the eggs fall out. Feeling sad, she doesn't want to return home to tell her parents about the eggs. So, she climbs the apple tree to think it over. Her dad comes looking for her. Next, her mother comes looking for her and her dad and finds them both in the apple tree. Pretty soon all three of them are in the apple tree admiring the view. They head home and rather than fresh eggs for breakfast, they enjoy a delicious apple pie.

I Love My Hair!

I Love My Hair!

by Natasha Tarpley

Illustrated by E. B. Lewis

This book is super cute! To be honest, I really don't like doing my daughter's hair. For that matter, she really doesn't like having her hair done! But, this book is a great reminder to love your hair and wear it with pride. The main character, Keyana sits with her mother each night as her mother combs her hair. Although it does hurt a bit, her mother reminds her that her hair is beautiful and that she can wear it in any style that she chooses. For example, her hair can be spun like soft yarn into a puffy little bun or parted into straight lines with rows of braids. This is great because it reminds my daughter and myself that her hair is beautiful, even if neither of us likes doing it/or having it done.

Bippity Bop Barbershop

Bippity Bop Barbershop

by Natasha Tarpley

Illustrated by E. B. Lewis

This is a great story about a little boy named Miles and his first trip to the barber shop with his father. Miles is very excited, but at the same time has to be brave. Sensing his son's fear of the clippers, the Daddy encourages him to be brave and pretend that he is a giant and that the buzzing of the clippers is only a plane zooming by! Miles overcomes his fear and requests a haircut just like his father's. I wish that we had this book when my boys got their first haircut. Although it was not in a barbershop, I think it would have helped them overcome their initial fear of the buzzing clippers.