Little Man, Little Man: A Story of Childhood
By Terreece Clarke,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Dynamic, enthralling kid's-eye-view of 1970s Harlem.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this book.
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What's the Story?
In LITTLE MAN, LITTLE MAN: A STORY OF CHILDHOOD, 4-year-old TJ, with his friends 7-year-old WT and 8-year-old Blinky, explore their neighborhood and life in 1970s Harlem. There are things that make him sad and wonder, like the neighborhood teens who sit on a stoop with vacant stares after putting needles in their arms and why Mrs. Beanpole never leaves her house. There are other things that make him happy, like knowing how much his parents love him and playing games with his friends. There is so much in the world to explore -- how TJ, WT, and Blinky will navigate it is the adventure.
Is It Any Good?
Magical, enthralling, and at times tragic, James Baldwin's only children's book is a fantastic window into '70s Harlem, as seen through a child's eyes. The most important thing to take away from the book, which Baldwin shows so well, is the balance between the harsh realities of life and the simple magic of childhood. And with the whimsical watercolor illustrations of French illustrator Yoran Cazac, the book never falls into heavy despair but seeks to present life as it is, a series of events that make up a tapestry. Parents will love exposing kids to James Baldwin's work, and kids will love seeing a kid just like them, no matter differences in time, location, or even race.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the neighborhood in Little Man, Little Man. What's familiar about it? What's different from your neighborhood?
What do you think of the friendships in the book between people of different ages? Do you have friends who are older or younger than you? What do you learn from each other?
How is a neighborhood as extended family? TJ has neighbors who look out for him and the other kids even though they're not related. Is your neighborhood like that? If not, what places outside of your family do you find a sense of community and care? School? You sports team? Why is this important?
Book Details
- Author: James Baldwin
- Illustrator: Yoran Cazac
- Genre: Coming of Age
- Topics: Friendship, Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Duke University Press
- Publication date: August 24, 2018
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 9 - 12
- Number of pages: 120
- Available on: Hardback, Kindle
- Last updated: November 30, 2020
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