Benjamin y la palabra - Benjamin and the Word, Del Sol Books

Author : Daniel A. Olivas, Illustrator : Don Dyen, Translator : Gabriela Baeza Ventura
Preschool - 2nd Grade

Benjamin y la palabra - Benjamin and the Word

Benjamin y la palabra - Benjamin and the Word , Hardcover, Bilingual, Book, Daniel A. Olivas, Don Dyen, Gabriela Baeza Ventura, Preschool - 2nd Grade, 9781558854130, $15.95

A thought-provoking bilingual picture book that explores racism on the playground.

While Benjamin waits for his father to pick him up from school, he doesn’t hear the screams of the kids playing dodge ball on the playground. The only thing he hears is, “a word. The word.” Earlier that day, Benjamin beat his friend James while playing handball, and James retaliated by calling Benjamin “the word.” With soft, watercolor illustrations that compliment the text, Benjamin and the Word / Benjamín y la palabra is a gem of a picture book. When confronted with James’ epithet, Benjamin and the reader set off on a poignant journey to understanding and forgiveness. Exploring tough issues of bigotry, racial dualities, and cultural difference, Benjamin, James, and the reader will never be the same after bigotry on the playground. Originally published as a five-part series in the Los Angeles Times’ Kids’ Reading Room section, Olivas’ book has already won acclaim from readers and even received a letter of praise from the Anti-Defamation League. A perfect discussion-starter both in the classroom and at home, Benjamin and his struggle will enrich the way that readers aged 4 to 8 think about diversity and tolerance.

Vienna Rose Listen to Vienna Rose read Benjamin and the Word to you. A marvelous example of the magical encounter between a child and books that we wish for all children.

Inside Flap : "In the pressure-cooker of elementary school, where high stakes testing is winning out over funding for anti-bias education, Olivas helps us understand the effect name-calling has on young people and how parents can effectively talk to their children about hate." —Abraham Foxman, National Director, Anti-Defamation League

From Kirkus Reviews (April 15, 2005): When Benjamin defeats his friend James in a game at school, James calls him a name, the "word" of the title. While the name itself is never mentioned, Benjamin's talk with his father about his hurt feelings makes it clear that James has insulted Benjamin because his heritage is mixed: half-Russian Jew, half-Mexican. The father-son relationship and their discussions—coming only as Benjamin is ready to talk—are warm and open, and Benjamin's conclusion that he still wants James to be his friend is encouraging and believable. Dyen's illustrations feature background washes, small and large, overlain with penciled details and outlines, creating an expressive realism. A quiet look at prejudice, forgiveness and friendship.

School Library Journal : Grade 1-3–As Benjamin waits for his father to pick him up after school, he is oblivious to the beauty of the cloud floating overhead or to the noise of his schoolmates playing. Only one thing runs through his head–the hurtful word that his friend James called him at recess. His father points out that Benjamin is a wonderful mix of his own Hispanic heritage and the boy's mother's Russian-Jewish background. This insight enables the boy to return to school, confront James, secure an apology, and tell him not to call him names any more. The word is never specified, and that will surely lead to rampant speculation on just what it was that James said. The Spanish translation is both accurate and adequate. Dyen's realistic watercolor illustrations are executed in a pale palette that is a little washed out for sharing–and that is, in fact, the problem with the book. It is just a bit bland. The issue is a real enough one, however, and given the dearth of books dealing with it, this is an acceptable bibliotherapeutic addition to most collections.

Bilingual Collection Blue Books :