MULTICULTURAL CHILDREN'S BOOK DAY, 2020- A REVIEW!
I was gifted Daddy Can I Cry by Kenneth Braswell to review for Multicultural Children’s Book Day! This special event occurs on January 31st, 2020 and celebrates children’s books that reflect the vast world in which we live.
Daddy Can I Cry, by Kenneth Braswell, (published by Fathers Incorporated- his own organization that “ensures fathers contribute to the healthy well-being of their children”, is written in the form of a picture book, but can and should be used for older audiences dealing with grief.
When was the last time you picked up a picture book that tackles death, grief and trauma head on? Many picture books that incorporate grief avoid directly mentioning death. Daddy Can I Cry holds nothing back on such a difficult topic.
Cory and Michael have been the best of friends since, “as long as they can remember.” Besides school, basketball is one of their favorite activities. On the bus home, they tease each other about who will win their upcoming game. As night eases into morning, Cory cannot contain his excitement. He envisions himself as king of the winning basketball moves.
Those visions stop the following day. Cory notices things are off. There is no Michael at the bus stop. No Michael on the bus headed towards school. No Michael at recess, either. A trip to the principals office, not because he’s in trouble, but because of an important announcement tells Cory all he needs to know, Michael is gone.
Back at home, Cory lets his tears flow. He can’t help but to express his sadness over his friend’s death. A thought crosses his mind, boys don’t cry. It’s Cory’s father’s words that reassure him it is ok to cry, especially when you feel those intense emotions. His father himself lets his own tears flow.
When Cory’s mother suggests Cory make a creation to honor Michael, Cory has an idea that transcends both of their passions. On his own basketball, Cory writes a poem to honor his best friend. Cory also recognizes he was not the only one to have a friend in Michael. His classmates get to leave a note on the basketball, too.
Daddy Can I Cry ends with resources and ways to help children deal with the loss of a loved one and the grief that follows.
School shootings, police brutality, unfortunate circumstances, or natural causes, all of these are ways in which lives end too soon. We do not think of children passing because it seems like a given that they will live full lives. But, these incidents do happen. Not only do the parents and siblings grieve when a child passes, but the friends in the classroom, on the basketball court, and in their own neighborhoods grieve, too. Daddy Can I Cry places an unfortunate circumstance in an accessible format. While this is a picture book, it is also a great way for school age children to grab hold and understand their feelings are valid. Everyone copes with grief differently, even children. It’s vital for them to know that crying is healthy, releasing those feelings is healthy, and often it makes you feel better. Yes- you can cry.
Tyshawn Lee Tamir Rice
Antonio Smith Darnesha Harris
Gustavo Garcia Aiyana Stanley- Jones
Valeria Ramirez Gianna Bryant
Black and brown lives lost too early. Full lives that will never be seen fulfilled. Black and brown kids deserve and need to see themselves reflected in children’s literature. Beyond the happy and light book themes, it is vital that these books also represent the reality of lives, the real and the focused. Kenneth Braswell’s words and Merve Terzi’s vibrant illustrations bring that reality to life.
