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by Chris Brockman. (1989). Prometheus Books, Amherst, NY. Ages 7 to 11. 31 pages. $12.98. www.prometheusbooks.com after the price. If you ISBN: 978-0-87975-106-7.
Chris Brockman makes short work of gods as an explanation of anything. "A god is a mythical character. Mythical characters are imaginary, they're not real.... Many mythical characters have been invented to explain things that people don't understand.... People invented gods to explain where the world came from. But when people say that gods made the world they don't explain anything."
Here is another brief except from the short book: "People who help us understand the world and how it works are important people. They are scientists, teachers, parents, and many others. They should also help us understand what it means to be a human being. They should help us learn that human beings can best get along with one another by cooperating to make our world a beautiful and friendly place to live....They should help people to want to be good by showing everyone that being good makes the world much nicer for all of us. Then no one would have to scare anybody into being good by inventing gods."
The book can surely stimulate parents and teachers to explore with their children and students the god phenomenon and provoke further thought on these most important questions: How do we go about making our world a beautiful and friendly place to live? How do we demonstrate that being good makes the world much nicer for all of us? Or to borrow a recent phrase from some bus signs: How can we be good for goodness sake?
A book review of Onion Breath by Steph and Dan Allosso (Minneapolis, MN: Stay Outside the Box Publishing, 2007) – by Amanda Metskas. For Humanist Network News.org – October 10, 2007. Source: humaniststudies.org/enews/?id=318&article=2
Amanda K. Metskas is the executive director of Camp Quest (http://www.camp-quest.org).
Are you concerned that spiders may crawl into your mouth while you are sleeping?
I read this book to the campers at the Mini Camp Quest session at the Atheist Alliance International Conference, and they were quite entertained by the kooky story and striking illustrations. As for whether the book will help normalize atheism, only time will tell.
One way I think it will help is that kids from non-religious families can add a story about an atheist family to their bookshelves. Whether it helps normalize atheism in broader society will depend on it being carried by libraries and bookstores, and being read by families who do not identify as atheists.
Some freethinking readers have critiqued the book for presenting a myth to explain why kids should try new things. The Allosso’s respond to this critique on their blog, arguing that kids understand that this is a fictional story that takes place in a "make-believe world," just like many other children's stories.
For the most part, I agree with their response, but I have to admit that a little part of me wishes that the boys’ were more skeptical of their nanny Shmirna’s claims. Eugene asks on page 12, “Why should we believe she’s telling the truth? I wonder if mom will let us hire a sleuth?,” but the boys quickly proceed to accept Shmirna’s story, and when they wake the next day spider-free they conclude that she was right, despite having seen no spiders in the morning in their pre-onion days.
On the other hand, there are only so many lessons that one can teach in a single children’s book, and the authors were probably right not to burden the story with chapter and verse on the rules of evidence.
The story is a fable about trying new things, a topic to which a lot of kids and parents can relate. It seeks to normalize atheism, and it also challenges gender stereotyping; when Roy and Eugene ask Shmirna to teach their future wives to cook, she replies that she will teach the boys now instead.
Perhaps the Allossos’ next children’s book can explore skepticism in the same whimsical way they cover these themes in Onion Breath. In the meantime, parents can use this book as a jumping off point for a discussion about evidence by asking their kids if they are convinced by Shmirna’s story, and what it would take to get them to believe her.
I highly recommend this book to parents, regardless of their worldview, who are looking for a fun story to read with their kids. It is probably best suited for kids ages five to ten. For more information about the book visit http://www.onionbreath.net
by Tricia Budd. Three books to be read by or to children giving a Humanist perspective on three important occasions in our lives. (1) James and Rosie's Big Day: A baby naming. "Personal names are part of what makes us each an individual .…The name we are given will always be associated with who we are, what we look like, what we do ….." (2) Rosie Remembers: A funeral. "…….dying is a natural end to our lives, yet it is still very hard to prepare our hearts for the death of someone we love.… the gap they leave in our lives cannot be filled by anyone else." (3) Rosie on Camera: A wedding. "I had no idea what a Humanist wedding was all about …. It was a really happy and relaxed ceremony that I think everyone felt part of." A book of worksheets, lesson ideas based on the stories, and a set of teachers’ notes also available. For order forms, contact -- Oakes Bank Publishing, 182 Mow Cop Road, Mow Cop, Staffs. ST7 4NH. For additional information, contact the author at -- triciabudd@oakesbankpublishing.co.uk
cited in evolvefish.com/fish/kidsbooks.html. Visit that cite for ordering information.
A man living in the countryside sees beauty, conflict and tragedy surrounding him, and he is moved to think about how all of this comes about. After experiencing a great loss, he makes an important decision about the existence of a creator, and then moves on with his appreciation of life. 80 pages.
By Joe Nickell. Educational studies indicate a critical lack of scientific awareness in children and young adults. Is it because science is no longer perceived as challenging, interesting, or just plain fun? Looking for scientific facts can be as enjoyable as "playing detective" in this book for young readers. Ages 9-12. 115 pages.
by Raul Martinez. When a sock is missing in the washer, a little boy asks his dad where the sock went. His dad then explains how some people believe a Purple Dragon is responsible for eating the sock. It's a very light-hearted approach to the arbitrary nature of belief and the advantages of rational thought. Features color illustrations and both Spanish and English versions of the story on each page. For young readers, but adults will enjoy reading and sharing the story with children too. For ages 4 and up. 24 pages.
by Christopher Phillips. "As a teacher, I don't see how anyone would do anything but use the Socratic method." - David Ross, Long Beach Press-Telegram. Ages 8 and up. 44 pages.
by Dan Barker. A fun book which allows children of all ages to explore myths like Santa Claus and compare them with ideas like the existence of God. Entertaining and respectful of children's intelligence, Just Pretend encourages kids to apply the tests of reason to any idea, fairy tale, myth or religion. 72 pages.
by Ellen Jackson. Presents facts and folklore about the shortest day of the year, a day that has been filled with magic since ancient times. 32 pages.
by the Family of Humanists. This is an illustrated booklet developed to teach and discuss Humanism for young readers. It is the result of efforts by several adults, youth, and children, growing with each new contribution. Topics range from descriptions of Humanism, science and evolution to how to live a good humanist life. Sections include the Golden Rule and the Scientific Method. For additional information:
www.familyofhumanists.org/hfk.html
by Helen Bennett, Prometheus Books, Amherst, NY, 2005.
Although the cover of Humanism, What’s That? A Book for Curious Kids indicates that the book is intended for “Ages 10 and up,” I’m not waiting two years until my 8-year-old grandson comes of age. I’m buying it for him now. We’ll read it and discuss it together. Certainly that is the least I can do for someone who shares my last name and, hopefully, has inherited some of my skepticism.
I wish I had enough cash on hand to buy Helen Bennett’s book for every child 10 and above -- or even younger. In the May 25, 2005 issue of the Humanist Network News, the author said that she wrote it “because I wanted to help Humanist children understand and be able to defend their worldview and to show children who have been raised in traditional religions that there is another way of thinking, another means to derive ethics, spiritual enrichment and a guide to life.”
Humanism, What’s That? A Book for Curious Kids is in the form of a conversation between Mrs. Green, a science teacher (grade level not specified) and her students. When a fellow student is injured on her way to school, the students wondered why they aren’t allowed to pray for her in class. So starting with the concept of the separation of church and state, the dialogue leads to many philosophic and cultural issues and many questions. Why do some people believe in God while others do not? What gives live meaning? In classroom and after-school discussions (with parental approval), Mrs. Green offers a humanist perspective and emphasizes scientific explanations of life and freedom of thought. Other topics as well as the separation of church and state are discussed, for example, the origins of religious belief in God, the meaning of metaphor, myth and symbols. The book touches on such subjects as abortion and the death penalty and young readers can begin to understand the nuances of these controversial issues. The book also focuses on the affirmations of humanism by emphasizing the essential worth and dignity of all people and some of the important humanist philosophers who have helped advance the causes of reason, compassion, and skepticism.
A number of poems also are included (e.g., “Thank You, Life” and “What Humanism Means to Me”) as well as the useful instructional activities and discussion questions (e.g., “Humanism is a positive philosophy that asserts the potential for goodness in every human being. How does this contrast with the religious doctrine of ‘original sin’ …that we are all born bad.”) I wish we had a Mrs. Green in every public school classroom. I’d even settle for a copy of Helen Bennett’s book in each classroom and school library.
--Reviewed by Bob Bhaerman, Coordinator, Kochhar Humanist Education Center
By Chris Brockman. Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books. 1994.
In this book the creation of god by man is explained simply and clearly for a child. As one reviewer wrote, “I wish I had been exposed to this book when I was about eight years old. It could have saved me much self doubt and turmoil resulting from early indoctrination
