Good Night, Sweet Dreams is an excellent introduction to accepting those who are different from us. Cultural diversity in education, whether at school or at home, continues to be important to society. Teaching respect of others is one aspect of this book. It’s an excellent way to open lines of communication between parent and child, teacher and student. Many educational objectives state that in order to achieve social and emotional learning standards, schools should address student development holistically and relate it to real world functioning. It is important to select culturally appropriate materials and examples that respect individual differences while at the same time acknowledging and celebrating the cultural diversity of students within the classroom, school, community, state, nation and world. Good Night, Sweet Dreams fits this criteria plus encourages early reading skills.
Karl Stewart was raised in the hills and forests of West Virginia. Inspired by the mystery of an old man he loved, he now writes stories of the Old West centered on that legend, his greatgrandfather, from his home high on a ridge in rural Wisconsin.
This is a first book illustration for longtime Alaskan artist, Mary Carr. Mary and her husband live in a small, remote cabin on a wild salmon river with the bear and moose, and within sight of Mt. McKinley.
Karl L. Stewart illustrated by Mary K. Carr
Good Night, Sweet Dreams A Headline Kids Educational Series Book by Karl L. Stewart illustrated by Mary K. Carr copyright ©2014 Karl L. Stewart The Headline Kids Educational Series is a continuing series of 6 x 9 paperback books for the classroom, home school environment, parents and caregivers. The authors of these books are teachers, parents, and exceptional individuals who love children. The subject matter will be different in every book but all give inspiration to imagination and creativity. There is a learning element in every book and/or easy activity to do at home. Headline Kids celebrates children and these books will increase early learning and reading skills.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any other form or for any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage system, without written permission from Headline Books. To order additional copies of this book, for book publishing information, or to contact the author: Headline Books, Inc. P.O. Box 52, Terra Alta, WV 26764 www.HeadlineKids.com Tel: 800-570-5951 Email: mybook@headlinebooks.com Headline Kids is an imprint of Headline Books ISBN-13: 978-0-938467-86-1 Library of Congress Control Number: 2013949470 P R I N T E D I N T H E U N I T E D S TAT E S O F A M E R I C A
To our beloved Callum, Ronan, Rossalyn, Angus, Liam and Laurence.
3
“Daddy, tell me about the old days—when I was a baby.” “Okay. What do you want to know?”
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“About colors.” “Colors – hmm. Let’s see. When you were a baby, colors were much brighter than they are today.”
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“Your mommy’s geraniums were so red I would have to cover my eyes.”
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“The dandelions made your chin glow like butter.” “They still do, Daddy.”
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“Yes, and the stars were red and yellow and gold and blue.”
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“And the sun was so bright—not hotter, just brighter—that shadows were darker, so if a person would step from sunlight to shadow he would disappear.”
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“Oh, I wish,” Buddy wriggled under his covers, “things were like that today.” “And the strangest things of all were the colors of the people.” “Oh, Daddy. Really?”
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“It’s true. White people were so white their skin looked like writing paper. They liked it, but everybody agreed it looked kind of sickly, so they tried to make it darker.”
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“Yellow people were so brightly yellow they hurt white people’s eyes and were usually told to keep away from them.”
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“The red people were so red that when a white-skinned person would meet one, he would often feel sorry for anyone who looked so burnt, and then would look away.” “Daddy, you’re kidding, right?” Buddy asked.
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Daddy lowered his voice. “But the strangest of all were the black-skinned people. They were so dark they were often invisible in the shadows. And when they stepped out into the sunshine, it would surprise and frighten the white-skinned people.”
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“As a result of all these brilliantly sharp colors, unfortunately very few of the differently colored people ever became friends.”
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The boy giggled. “Daddy, you tell the silliest stories. I know you’re kidding. That could never happen.” “Really, well goodnight.” He kissed the boy’s forehead.
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“Sweet dreams.”
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Below are discussion questions to open dialogue at home or in the classroom. Bridging cultural gaps through early readers will enhance classroom participation and understanding of those who are different from us. Fact: 1. What racial groups are mentioned in the story? 2. In what areas of the world did each group originate? 3. Why and how did large groups of each come to America? Open Ended: 4. What does Daddy know about the subject that the child does not? 5. What does the child know that Daddy does not? 6. Why do you think Daddy wants to discuss the subject? Deeper Level: 7. Why is the picture Daddy paints of the four races being relatively equal to each other in suspicion and guilt inadequate?
Good Night, Sweet Dreams is an excellent introduction to accepting those who are different from us. Cultural diversity in education, whether at school or at home, continues to be important to society. Teaching respect of others is one aspect of this book. It’s an excellent way to open lines of communication between parent and child, teacher and student. Many educational objectives state that in order to achieve social and emotional learning standards, schools should address student development holistically and relate it to real world functioning. It is important to select culturally appropriate materials and examples that respect individual differences while at the same time acknowledging and celebrating the cultural diversity of students within the classroom, school, community, state, nation and world. Good Night, Sweet Dreams fits this criteria plus encourages early reading skills.
Karl Stewart was raised in the hills and forests of West Virginia. Inspired by the mystery of an old man he loved, he now writes stories of the Old West centered on that legend, his greatgrandfather, from his home high on a ridge in rural Wisconsin.
This is a first book illustration for longtime Alaskan artist, Mary Carr. Mary and her husband live in a small, remote cabin on a wild salmon river with the bear and moose, and within sight of Mt. McKinley.