This past week Edmund discovered Richard Scarry's book "What Do People Do All Day?" in the back of his closet bookshelf. He refers to it as "People Do All Day," and is more or less obsessed with the book. It's a long book and we have the abridged edition. I'd love to see what the unabridged edition is like. Reading this book is the closest we've come to chapter books. Edmund is especially taken with the "chapter" entitled "The Train Trip." He loves looking at the illustrations of Busytown critters engaged in a variety of antics. Edmund's developing sense of humor is never more evident than when he is looking at one particular picture. In this illustration a pig floats down a river following the hat that has toppled off his head. Edmund laughs uproariously every time we get to this page. I'm hoping years down the road I won't have to send my child to a counselor because he found this pig's misfortune laughable. I suppose I should count my blessings. We haven't reached potty humor yet!
One thing that struck me almost immediately about "What Do People Do All Day?" is how sexist the book is. The copyright date is 1968. Granted I wasn't around in that decade, but I was under the impression this was a time in America's history when feminism was coming to the forefront with a vengeance. In fact, my research on Scarry turned up the fact his wife was also a writer. Thus, I'm taken aback by the lack of female critters in Busytown's workforce. There is the occasional female secretary and nurse, but for the most part the role of women in Busytown is summed up by these two sentences, "Grocer Cat bought a new dress for Mommy. She earned it by taking such good care of the house."(Scarry, pg. 8). And as far as Scarry is concerned, mail carriers and firefighters don't exist. These professions are reserved for the menfolk.
Most of the "chapters" in "What Do People Do All Day?" chronicle "a day in the life" of the creatures of Busytown. The stories still hold up today, save for the lack of women role models. But I don't know what Scarry was thinking when he wrote "A Visit to the Hospital." Poor Bunny Abby. She has to have her tonsils taken out, so a very pregnant Mommy Bunny drops Abby off at the hospital and leaves. That's right. Mommy Bunny has better things to do with her time. Never mind her small child who is probably shaking in her rabbit feet at the thought of surgery and a hospital full of strange equipment. And what do you know? Mommy Bunny returns shortly thereafter to deliver the newest member of the bunny family. Perhaps Mommy Bunny would have been better off supporting little Abby in her time of need, seeing as she had to return to the hospital anyway. Who knows what these bunnies were thinking? Clearly they need a lesson or two in efficiency.
I certainly enjoyed Richard Scarry's books as a child and I've decided to let Edmund read and enjoy them too. At first when I noticed the sexism, my first inclination was to ban the book. He's a two year old who should see the sunny side of life. However, when I really reflected on this I found my reaction ridiculous. Many books we now read in high school English were banned, but now we read them and learn from them. I'm sure I might feel differently if say, Grocer Cat were running a drug house, but he's not. He's making an honest living running a grocery store. Some people may not agree with me, but I feel I can use this book to teach Edmund about how different people, or in this case, animals, can do a variety of things. It's a great spring board for conversation. Plus, if there's one thing this book has going it for it, it's diversity. Lion doctors operate on fluffy bunnies while dogs and cats work side by side in harmony. If that's not diversity I don't know what is.
The Liberty Bell-Before Repairs
histle during the vows at the PA wedding (sorry Evan and Kaitlin) and his request to "take a walk" during the vows at the NJ wedding (sorry Lisa and Gage), Edmund did amazingly well. As it appears he chooses the vows as his choice time to check-out, I'm hoping he doesn't leave some poor girl in the lurch during his own vows some day.
The first wedding we were to attend was very near Philadelphia, PA so we decided to check out a few local sights during our trip. First stop, the Liberty Bell. Every so often Edmund would chime in from the backseat to remind us "I go Philadelphia. I ring a bell." You may think a two year old would find little appeal in an old bell. Not so. When the children in my preschool class are bouncing off the walls, Jennifer and I take them to ring the church bell that is located on the school's property. Because it is such a rare occurrence to venture outside the fenced area, the bell holds a mysterious allure over these children in the way the Liberty Bell holds an allure over the people of the United States. I suppose there isn't much difference between a two year old and the Liberty Bell flock after all.
Surprisingly, Edmund was kind enough to let Steven and I read the information leading up to the Liberty Bell. As we moved along we prepared him for the fact that the bell was broken and wouldn't sound any more. He reminded himself as we walked "bell broken." When we got to the bell he posed for the obligatory picture and we moved on. We talked about the bell a little more as we walked outside to take in a view of Independence Hall. Edmund's interest in the bell waned as he had more pressing matters, such as lunch, to attend to
The next day Kay Kay and Aunt Becca joined us at Sesame Place (a future post to come). I asked Edmund to tell them about what he saw in Philadelphia. He said "I saw bell." Aunt Becca inquired "did the bell have a big crack?" While bobbing his head up and down Edmund very matter-of-factly stated "No, I fixed it." Edmund is a quick worker for I blinked and missed that repair job.
Aunt Alison, Grandma, and Grandpa went to see the Liberty Bell the following day. According to them the crack had reappeared. Some excited visitor must have rung the bell a little too hard, as I'm sure Edmund's repair job was one of superior quality. I wouldn't hold your breath to hear the bell ring again anytime soon, as I have it on good authority Handyman Edmund is booked solid the next 16 years.
Edmund and I have almost 2 full weeks of school under our belts after a 3 week long vacation. Saying it was difficult to return to work after winter break is an understatement. However, now that I'm in the swing of things I feel as if I never left. Edmund also seems to feel as if he never left. I was hoping some of his less endearing habits at school, such as banging his feet under the table at lunch, would disappear. No such luck. Not only does Edmund still do the lunchtime march, but he gets the whole class to join in. Learning table manners is a process. We're working on it.
This post wouldn't be complete without a Susanna mention. My dear friend from college returned from her Foreign Service duty in Mexico to visit family and friends before heading to Peru. Steven, Edmund, and I were fortunate enough to receive a visit. Edmund quickly became a huge Susanna fan. After she left our house Monday evening Edmund would longingly call for "Zanna." He did this up until bedtime. She certainly made a big impression. I'm sure Edmund will anxiously await her next visit.
This post has no real connecting theme, but I had to write down this Edmund story before it gets lost wherever it is forgotten memories go. This story comes with a disclaimer. The preschool is cleaned and exterminated regularly, but when it's cold outside and the building is surrounded by woods you are bound to see a creepy crawly every now and then.
This morning Edmund and I were running late for school. That seems to be how things go when Steven is on call. As soon as we enter the building I set Edmund down and let him wander while I set up the classroom for the day. Today instead of going straight for toys as per usual, he started pointing and happily saying "kitty cat, kitty cat." He was also slowly moving around the room which caught my attention. Suddenly I spotted the "kitty cat." It was a water bug (essentially a large, disgusting cockroach). I am terrified of these bugs so I went to the kitchen hoping it would go back to that from whence it came. Fortunately when I returned to the classroom the bug had disappeared. However, I was forced to brave the "kitty cat" when it reappeared around 9 am. At this point I had a classroom full of children and had to keep my cool. I swept up the bug as if it was a simple little cheerio. My co-teacher commented on my bravery. She was not sure she could have done the same. It's funny that having 8 little toddlers watching you turns you into a bug braving hero. I'm sure if it showed it's face in my house tonight I'd run away screaming.
