NPR's Book of the Day
Two new children's books view the natural world as a site of personal growth
Episode guests
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Kiese Laymon's 'City Summer, Country Summer' illustrates the emotional complexity of Black boyhood, emphasizing vulnerability and connection through childhood experiences.
- In 'The Littlest Drop,' Brian Pinkney honors his father's legacy while addressing hope and agency in environmental consciousness through a Quechua parable.
Deep dives
Exploration of Identity in 'City Summer, Country Summer'
The children's book 'City Summer, Country Summer' by Kiese Lehmann illustrates a young boy's journey from New York City to his grandmother's home in the South, highlighting his exploration of a softer side of his identity. The narrative reveals how the boy interacts with local children from Jackson, Mississippi, emphasizing the cultural contrasts and connections between urban and rural experiences. Lehmann aims to portray the beauty of black boyhood by focusing on themes of play, touch, and emotional depth, challenging the stereotype that black boys must always embody toughness. This exploration fosters discussions about the nurturing environments created by familial relationships, particularly through the lens of a grandmother's love and care.
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