If you are looking for a book to inspire, motivate, and encourage your child, I have found the perfect book. "Of Beetles and Angels," by Mawi Asgedom, is the most amazing story about his life. He's now in his mid-twenties, and when you read about all that he's already accomplished, you can't help but reflect on your life - to see what you've accomplished.
When he was very young, his family lived in Ethiopia. His father was very highly regarded because he was a "dresser", (very much like a doctor). They owned land, animals, and had enough money that they were able to save some. Mawi's father would walk miles and miles in order to help a villager give birth, help set a broken arm or help treat a poisonous snake bite. But the times were becoming difficult for his family to stay in their country as many factions were fighting and killing each other and anyone else off, as well as the bordering country of Eritrea. So, rather that risk his family's lives and staying in their home, they fled to the Sudan. But, this was very risky because Mawi's father had already left ahead of his family in order to help them get away safely. His father was wanted by the local authorities because he treated any and everyone, and they only wanted him to treat their loyalists. If he left with his large family, it would have been easy to track him down and kill him. But, for Mawi's mother to take their three children across many miles of barren land and finally end up in a refugee camp is amazing. It was miraculous that they all eventually got back together, overcome disease and sickness, and didn't get killed by one of the radical factions.
They were able to migrate to America due to World Relief. This Christian organization helped Mawi's family settle in a mostly white suburb of Chicago. Now, Mawi and his brother and sister had to overcome discrimination, language barriers and poverty. His father, who had been so revered in Africa, finally found a job as a janitor. But Mawi's mother and father taught their children the value of discipline, hard work and good ethics. His father continually told Mawi that he could do anything if he worked hard enough at it. His father also taught his children how important education is and that it can enable them to overcome even abject poverty. Mawi takes you through his younger years in elementary school where he was continually picked upon because of his color of skin, his poor clothes and his language differences. He then takes you through his teen years and how he began to build upon the goals that his father set for him. The culmination of his young life is being able to go to Harvard University. You will be able to see and understand how he reached this very high goal! And if this story doesn't inspire you, I don't know what will! This book would be great for 7th grade and up - but don't let that stop you parents from reading it out loud and discussing the different accounts of his life to your younger children.
Halloween is coming and Jerry Seinfeld has just written a picture book called, "Halloween". The pictures, wonderfully painted by James Bennett, place Seinfeld as a youngster going from door to door in his different costumes, year after year. He starts out by stating the known fact that all kids really want on Halloween is CANDY! So, when you first learn about Halloween and the concept behind it, it's almost unbelievable. That's all you really want is the CANDY! So, Seinfeld takes you through his miserable years of hobo and ghost costumes. But what he really wanted was the "real SUPERMAN costume from the store." But, when he puts the costume on it becomes obvious that he doesn't look like the real superman. There are no muscles and the build is all wrong, besides the fact that this costume looks like pajamas. But, here comes the real kicker, before he can go trick-or-treating in this wonderful costume, his mom puts his coat on over the costume. How many of us can relate to that occurrence - either with our parents, or with our own children? Seinfeld, in his humorous way, says, "I don't recall Superman wearing a Jacket." Mr. Bennett has hit the mark with the pictures of a young Seinfeld. Every picture represents his young face that is immediately recognizable. For example, I love the picture where Seinfeld has complained about Superman not wearing a jacket. Mr. Bennett has painted a hilarious picture of mighty Superman flying straight up into the sky, leaving the city profile far behind; but he's wearing a coat.
I think the best thing about this book is that you have to listen to the CD that comes with the book to get the comedic humor that Jerry Seinfeld does so very well. I first read the book and then played the CD. I found the book cute and kind of funny. But, when I listened to the CD, I laughed and laughed. When Jerry Seinfeld reads, or rather tells his story, he's in front of an audience, doing what he does best, and he will, yes he will, make you laugh! Great book for all ages!