rating: 5 of 5 stars
The First Peoples series is apparently a group of picture books discussing how we have dumped on a variety of native peoples. However, they address the problem in a sensitive way, preferring to educate young readers about the customs and lifeways of peoples rather than focusing on how we dumped on them (although they do bring that up at some points). The text is maybe not the easiest for a youngster to read, but should be easily understood if a parent reads it to them. The pictures are beautiful, full-color photos. It is fascinating how robes made of birchbark can have such rich color! Best of all, you get to see the Ainu women’s facial tattoos. A very good book to get kids started learning about cultural diversity.

Tags: Ainu, Barbara Aoki Poisson, children's, injustice, Japan, native peoples

“‘It’s our own fault,’ he wept….The oldest stories ever made, and look at them now. We let them rot, we abandoned them, long before this poisoning. We lost touch with our beginnings, with our roots, our Wellspring, our Source. Boring, we said, not in demand, surplus to requirements. And now, look, just look! No colour, no life, no nothing. Spoilt!”

How on earth could it be possible that the man who wrote these words has been condemned to death?! Granted, I haven’t read The Satanic Verses (although having had this first taste of Rushdie I definitely will). But Haroun is quite a nice little book, very suitable for young children, and with only a veiled taste of social commentary. Khomeini = dumbass. I’m gonna grab me some more Rushdie when I can, partly for meanness’ sake and partly because I genuinely enjoyed Haroun. It’s great for book and story lovers, especially if you love storytelling (I won’t even date a guy unless he’s a good storyteller).

Tags: children's, fantasy, Salman Rushdie