|
|
I Dream for You a World: A Covenant
for Our Children
By Charisse Carney-Nunes
(ISBN: 978-0974814230)
The Children’s Covenant takes the reader on a
lyrical journey leading
to a child’s
understanding of the fundamental principles that were set forth in The Covenant with Black America.
Using poetry, laced with intergenerational concepts and brilliant collage,
the book effortlessly pieces together a vibrant mind’s view of the “better
tomorrow” that everyone dreams for children. The back of the book is designed to enlighten
children around each of the Covenant concepts, incorporating use of special
African symbols.
Purchase this Book
REVIEWS
From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 5—This picture book addresses 11
socioeconomic issues,
including health, education, justice, wealth, and the environment that
pertain to African-American children and their families. Illustrated with
collages of smiling youngsters on abstract backgrounds, each spread has a
brief poem that begins, "I dream for you a world." The text itself
is slight, with significant information given in the foreword and in the
densely packed appendix. While this is a useful introduction to "issues
of importance" as identified by Tavis Smiley
in Covenant with Black America (Third World, 2006), most children will
need adult assistance to sort out the specifics of becoming Covenant Kids.
This book raises awareness of many problems in society, and the specific
action statements are empowering but not age specific. Children can learn
their history and make a family tree, but suggestions such as supporting
black colleges and buying computers are beyond their reach. This picture book
may be best used by caring adults who want to share their dreams of a better
world for all.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All
rights reserved.
By
The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com)
So often we hear of various theories
behind the problems our communities and society face. Unfortunately, many of
these theories never seem to make the leap from theory to practice. I DREAM
FOR YOU A WORLD is a wonderful book that seeks to operationalize Tavis Smiley's Covenant with Black America for even the
youngest members of our society. Author Charisse
Carney-Nunes uses a poetic style to present the
overall themes of the covenant and then follows up with general information
about the Covenant with Black America. In addition, she provides easy to
understand explanations of the various covenant issues as well as examples of
how children and families can put the issues into action. For example, the
"Covenant issue" Strengthening the family includes suggestions such
as being honest, eating dinner as a family, and living the life you dream.
Mixed media illustrations really add to the depth of I DREAM FOR YOU A WORLD.
By including artwork as well as photographs, the artwork catches the
attention of readers and draws them in. The poetic language is fun, engaging,
and easy to remember. The explanation of the covenant is done especially well
and really breaks down complex concepts into language children can
understand. Suggested activities at the end of each section not only help
children understand the concepts in concrete terms, but also provide ideas
for moving the theories into practice that can easily be accomplished. I
DREAM FOR YOU A WORLD is a book that should be in
every child's library, but
especially in the libraries of African-American children.
Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
An important lesson to parents by M.
Rice (Orange, NJ)
Like Carney-Nunes' previous book Nappy, I Dream a World for You is
a beautifully illustrated, thoughtfully constructed book designed to teach
African American children to love and value themselves. What I love most
about this book, however, is its message to the parents. I Dream a World for
You tells of the world parents have the right to dream for their children,
and I hope inspires and empowers us to seek to create that world. Carney-Nunes continues to write what both children and their
parents most need to hear.
Must be on every child's
bookshelf By RSS
This is a wonderfully creative book,
and a must read for all young children. Whether a pre-reader or a fluent
early reader, children will love this book. It introduces a set of values to
children that will hold them in good stead for a lifetime. Most important, my
kid loves it!
|
|
|