In Garmann's Summer, Stian Hole creates a story where Garmann can explore fear within the stages of life. The story is lyrical with strong imagery. The details are beautiful, the correlation between the ladybug's six spots, and the 6 pom pom hats. Three Aunts, give their fears, dying, winter coming and the one forgets to much to remember fear. Teeth, wrinkles, whiskers, young, thin, pale.
Perhaps, what I love the most is the question posed, "what are you afraid of?" When you read this book with a child, it creates a discourse between adult and child, where fear can be discussed. Garmann, is much more wise than many adults. As adults we think of childhood and summer as a woryfree, carefree time, forgetting the challenges we once had. Garmann shows the fear of not being the same as others, whether that is smart, talented or toothless, enough.
Parents tell themselves a lie, (and shh don't tell them- the kids are in on it), we tell ourselves that we have paved the way for our kids. We tell ourselves our kids will be seen as completely wonderful and special. (You know the way we see them) The world will tell them otherwise. Garmann is noticing, like our kids notice, that he is not as good as peers at everything. He is scared that he won't fit in, and it is a silence children keep from adults. Because kids are afraid, their parents might see them in the same way their peers do--- As not enough.
Perhaps, what I love the most is the question posed, "what are you afraid of?" When you read this book with a child, it creates a discourse between adult and child, where fear can be discussed. Garmann, is much more wise than many adults. As adults we think of childhood and summer as a woryfree, carefree time, forgetting the challenges we once had. Garmann shows the fear of not being the same as others, whether that is smart, talented or toothless, enough.
Parents tell themselves a lie, (and shh don't tell them- the kids are in on it), we tell ourselves that we have paved the way for our kids. We tell ourselves our kids will be seen as completely wonderful and special. (You know the way we see them) The world will tell them otherwise. Garmann is noticing, like our kids notice, that he is not as good as peers at everything. He is scared that he won't fit in, and it is a silence children keep from adults. Because kids are afraid, their parents might see them in the same way their peers do--- As not enough.