Angela Shelf Medearis

Based upon the short story A Riddle for Freedom - told to author William J. Faulkner by a farmhand who worked for his mother, and contained in the collection The Days When the Animals Talked: Black American Folktales and How They Came to Be - this picture-book follows the story of Jim, an enslaved man who uses the Christmas traditions on Master Brown's plantation to win his freedom. Knowing that his owner cannot resist a riddle, Jim proposes that, if he can ask a riddle his master cannot show more answer, he be liberated.

I enjoyed this story of a slave who uses his wits to win his freedom, particularly since - according to Medearis' brief foreword - it is based upon an actual incident in 1850s Virginia. The harsh realities of slavery are presented realistically - Jim's separation, as a young boy, from his family, the poverty of the slave quarters - but not in such a way that they will overwhelm the young readers who are the target audience. I did find Jim's riddle a little "un-riddlish," but that's a small quibble. All in all, an excellent picture-book presentation of the days of slavery, and the human desire for freedom - I thank my friend Wilhelmina for pointing it out to me! show less

I loved this book because of its silliness. We Eat Dinner in the Bathtub by Angela Shelf Medearis is a great and funny read. I liked this book because of its nonsense. The story made you laugh as you imagined the child eating in the bathtub, sleeping in the dining room and parking in the kitchen. I also laughed as Harris explains that he eats at the dining room table and Josh finds it so weird. Another great reason for loving this book are the pictures that guide the dialogue. A little show more version of the characters face sits next to each line of dialogue. I find this great because the entire book is dialogue and this method keeps you from getting mixed up. You don’t have to waste time rereading the story because you know exactly whose talking and when. I feel like this books big idea is to show us how people have many differences. Some that you wouldn't know if you hadn't talked to the person. This book also shows that differences are okay. When Josh learns Harris is different than him he doesn't bash it or hate it. He embraces the differences and even says he likes Harris more for it. This book was a fun little read that I enjoyed very much. show less

A beautiful picture book and a moving, interesting story based on the author's family history. Unfortunately the story is told in awkwardly rhymed doggerel verse with a limping metre ("Mama's packed the supper, the sheep are in their pens, it's time to go and visit the Seminole Indians") which, to my taste, seriously detracts from the impact of what could be a truly outstanding book.

I really enjoyed this book for many reasons. First of all, I liked how it was a true story of a slave during the 1850's. I also like how it showed how a slave used his wit and brains to gain his freedom rather than brute force or running away. It was nice to show a different side of gaining freedom than you would typically read about. It was interesting to learn about their Christmas traditions as slaves as well. While slavery was a terrible thing this book showed how it was hard for the show more slaves but was not extremely graphic about just how bad it was. It seemed like their master was not as cruel either which I found good for children to read. I also like how it showed all the work the slaves had to preform through each season and how Jim used his daily life to stump the master with a riddle. The main message in this book was to use experience and wit to gain what he wanted most. show less