Hiroshima No Pika by Toshi Maruki
This book is about the bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima and how it affected the lives of the people who lived there. The pictures in the book are very dark and disturbing. It shows dead people floating in the river, the flames of the fires, and naked people because they lost everything. I do not see this book as problematic to children I do think the story should be told. I just don't think the pictures would be right to show the children, at least young children. I think the older they get the more they will understand but also feel the emotions these families are going through. I think the end of the book is what is most shocking. The girl never grew taller, her mother still finds pieces of glass in her head, people were still in hospitals and there is no cure for what happened that day. It's a very emotional book but one that should be understood in this families perspective otherwise we would not see the problems that were caused because of this bomb.
Wow! The pictures sound really graphic. I have not read this book but I find it funny that you don't find a problem with the book. I feel like the controversial books that I do find problems with are the books about violence and war. I understand this is history and needs to be taught and I like your perspective that this story needs to be told by those who have experienced it.
ReplyDeleteThis is a picture book? It doesn't sound like it is really meant for young kids. Maybe they should have made it more into a chapter book for teens to read once they have developed a more mature emotional stance. I can't see myself reading a book like this to my elementary students. Although I have not read the book, maybe it is not as graphic as I am imagining.
ReplyDeleteI think there really are a few sides to this...but there is definitely a sound argument for talking to kids about big/"scary" issues like war, death, illness, etc. Since these are realities in many kids lives, school (and books) can give them an opening. That said, some images CAN be terrifying and in a senseless way. I should look back through this book as you all have made me curious!
ReplyDeleteI read this book too and was blown away by the heavy, emotional content. I think it is pretty intense reading for really young children, but there might be place for it with somewhat older kids. If I did read this book to my students, I would make sure to follow it up with positive discussion about how knowledge of the past is necessary for a better future. The tragedy should be viewed as a catalyst for positive change, not something to depress you. Personally, I would not find it necessary to read it to really young kids just because I think there are books that awaken similar knowledge in less dramatic ways (considering the images). I wouldn't want to scare the children with the images, but it really depends on the class and the maturity level of the kids. I suppose as teachers we have to be sensitive to the individual students in our classes and their unique needs, instead of making a doctrine for all time and all kids.
ReplyDeleteAbout the images, I think they are somewhat less graphic just because they are so abstracted. If they were more realistic, it would make this book way more intense.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen this book, but from the way you describe it, I think I would choose to use this book with children in an older classroom setting if were talking about World War II. Using picture books for any age classroom is appropriate for learning and if in fact the images are too graphic for younger kids, I think that the older elementary level students would appreciate the honesty the book has to show! Student's can be taught about the uglier things in life, WWII being one of them. Why would any teacher want to hide the real details that this book has to offer?
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