First of all, why I want to do this?
Yesterday I went to East Baton Rouge Parish public library, and was first so drawn by the children’s section. I was not unaware of the fact that a major part of public library was set out for children—reading stories, activities along with a pretty cool collection of children’s books (maybe compared to what I have gone through in Taiwan). However, it was not until yesterday that I realized it was a time I finally had chance/time to go in and explore. Anyway it so reminds the beautiful days I spent in children’s library when I was a child. The illustrated colorful books, the tiny chairs and desks, and the unexpected occasional conversation (however short they may be) with little friends—I got one little black boy talked to me yesterday—seems so fascinating, not to mention that I used to be (and am) a big fan of children’s literature. Anyway upon expecting that I might indulge myself in the fictional world for a little while I decide to mark the track.
The Adventures of Minnie: Minnie Saves the Day
By Melodye Benson Rosales
The story sets up in 1930s Chicago and represents a snapshot of Chicago’s African-American history. See, this is a boring way to start telling a story (especially sucks in a children’s story!), but I’m just so used to it. But believe me I’ll lead you into kid’s world soon and let me guarantee you this information will be useful.
Little Hester received a rag doll from her grandmother Alfie. The doll was unique as “its soft, cotton body and face were an especially colorful toasty brown” (4). When Papa came tuck Hester in later that night, he tells her the story of the way the rag doll was sewed together. Most of the materials came from worn out tablecloth or shirt, and the one that forms her body was the most special: “it came from Grandmama Alfie’s grandmother’s dress. The one she wore when she was stolen from her village in Africa and brought here to America many many years ago” (18).
Hester later named the rag doll “Minnie” and introduced her to her other toys, among them a prettiest doll “Prima Donna”. Prima Donna had delicate porcelain face, fancy pink dress and was not a “playing doll” but a “looking doll” (22). Prima Donna though has pretty appearance bears the ugliest temper. All other toys dared not to run counter to her wish. She looked down upon Minnie, literally and metaphorically as she was placed high up in the shelf, and called her “rag-a-muffin”. Not surprisingly Prima Donna sneered Minnie all the way till the end.
It was interesting that in the attachment called “Chocolate-covered memories” the readers were offered some history about black doll. It did not show up until 1918, and even then it was so scarce. This story probably initiated from the fact that little black girls did not have a representation of their racial entity, and went through a little race history through the interactions of Hester’s toys.
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