Chris Raschka

I would give this book 5 out of 5 stars. This book reads as poetry, using much repetition and consonance. I like the way bell hooks uses this writing style to create dynamic descriptions of boyhood, ranging from, "I be boy. All bliss boy. All fine beat," to "All bad boy beast." The writing style hooks uses along with the illustrations by Chris Raschka help to illuminate the playful mood of boyhood. The illustrations are also a fascinating part of this read. Raschka uses a light brown show more backdrop to create a sense of warmth and love throughout each page. Additionally, I enjoy the way the artist uses lines and composition, to show movement and emotion. For example on one page where the text reads "Then sitting all quiet still." The boy is half off the page in a sitting position. Circular lines on his shirt contrast with square spirals on which he sits, and which have been used throughout to show emotion. This contrast, and large empty space, helps create a sense of calmness. Ultimately, "be boy buzz" is a book which celebrates the boyhood, and childhood of African American boys, in contrast to our dominant American society that often views African American boys as "men" at a very young age. show less

I was pleasantly surprised to find out bell hooks has a children's book. I had encountered her work in my previous graduate program, and was curious to see how her philosophies and ideologies translated into children's literature. The answer: pretty darn well. I really liked this book, due to the art and the simplistic but poetic writing. The writing is simple enough, and done in a very clear font, so it is easy to read. A line reads "some true to life // and others all // fun and fantasy, show more // all the way I imagine me". It is a simple line, but shows so much--it is important to acknowledge that you are more than one form, that you can view yourself as you please.
The art ties nicely into hooks' writing: it has a sort of fantastical magic quilt look to it. The paint strokes look vaguely like they could have been fingerpainted (not in a bad way), but in a way that definitely draws you into the book. The overall message ties into hooks' adult work: love yourself and how you see yourself. It does not matter if your view is "real", but that you are proud of yourself. This is shown especially through the lines of the book, but the art can be seen as a celebration of imagination of self as well. show less

I love bell hooks as a theorist and feminist writer. I was excited to see this book at the library, as well as a couple of other children's books by her. I think this book is so relevant, regardless of race or gender or class. The message is simple, yet so ignored in this society, and that is that we should be proud of who we are, whether it be our personalities, culture, or natural-born appearances. The characters are proud of their hair and talk about the different things they can do with show more their hair. It's a great children's version of Chris Rock's "Good Hair" (or "Good Hair" is a great adult version of this book). I love this and would use it in ANY classroom, whether it be elementary, middle, or high school, and would love to teach it to people of all races in an attempt to increase knowledge of cultural, racial, and physical pride. show less

A buoyant and scruffy dog bounds across the pages of Raschka’s endearing wordless pictorial account of love and loss. Joined by her young owner, Daisy delights in fetching her big red ball in the local park, until another dog pops it. A hapless and shocked Daisy trudges home bedraggled and dejected- miserable without her beloved ball, not knowing what the future will hold. Swirling ink and watercolor illustrations inventively evoke the trajectory of Daisy’s emotions allowing the reader show more to identify with the dog’s feelings- the young child may just want to cuddle up on the couch with Daisy to comfort her. Through full-color panels that identify sequential events and pivotal moments this unconventional story time book opens up opportunities for discussions about situations that cause happiness or sadness, how these distinct feelings are represented, and how others interpret them. In a pre-school through first grade read-aloud, children will be charmed by the opportunity to add their own expressions to the touching and stirring images on every page. show less