The Preschooler

Book Review: Henry and the Freedom Box

My family’s best friends live in Tennessee.  Although it takes us twelve hours on a good trip in order to get there, we still go to visit them, and they come up to Pennsylvania to see us.

The south is a bit different than the northeast part of the United States.  The first thing you notice is the accent.  However, our pasts are different as well, and trying to explain to a child why someone talks differently than you is much easier than explaining what a slave is.

Our friend’s daughter first asked the question when her grandmother had pointed out a slave wall.  A slave wall is one made out of rocks that usually was made on the border of a property our of rocks found when preparing the ground for planting.  The answer to, “What is a slave wall?” is much easier than, “What is a slave?”

Anyone can give a factual answer of what a slave was physically.  However, Ellen Levine wrote a touching book that helps children, and adults alike, understand the emotional life of a slave.

Her book, Henry and the Freedom Box gives readers a look into the struggles slaves faced on a regular basis.  It also depicts one way slaves found freedom on the Underground Railroad.

Although it may spark other difficult discussions, especially with younger listeners, this book addresses one of the tougher aspects of history in the United States.  It is part of history that children need to be aware of and understand.  This book addresses this tough topic in a very kid-friendly way.  However, if you decide not to introduce it at the preschool level, be sure to make it a part of your home library, and hold on to it for a couple of years.

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Written by Laura on April 8, 2011