I was at the library with the kiddo this weekend hunting for some stories. They’re 3, for context. I’m not usually the one getting books, and it took me a little time to find books I was interest in. Found two that turned out to be fun and with some leftist points of view.

First one: “Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type” by Doreen Cronin illustrated by Betsy Lewin.

A book about cows who have a typewriter. They use that typewriter to write letters to the farmer demanding better working conditions. Its a silly book about cows on strike, light hearted but a good message about the power of collective action.

Second one: “The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet!” By Carmen Agra Deedy, illustrated by Eugene Yelchin.

A book about a noisy town where the people sing all day and night. After electing a new mayor, the mayor bans all forms of singing. Until a rooster arrives. Even after the mayor takes away everything the rooster has, the rooster refuses to stop singing. A fun book about speaking truth to power and refusing to be silenced in the face of powerful threats.

In a sea of identity affirming books, it was nice to find these. If you have any similar books feel free to leave them below.

  • mechwarrior2 [he/him]@hexbear.netEnglish
    4·
    7 months ago

    Not seen it first hand but I’ve heard of this one

    Workers’ Tales: Socialist Fairy Tales, Fables, and Allegories from Great Britain

    Edited by Michael Rosen

    A collection of political tales–first published in British workers’ magazines–selected and introduced by acclaimed critic and author Michael Rosen

    In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, unique tales inspired by traditional literary forms appeared frequently in socialist-leaning British periodicals, such as the Clarion, Labour Leader, and Social Democrat. Based on familiar genres–the fairy tale, fable, allegory, parable, and moral tale–and penned by a range of lesser-known and celebrated authors, including Schalom Asch, Charles Allen Clarke, Frederick James Gould, and William Morris, these stories were meant to entertain readers of all ages–and some challenged the conventional values promoted in children’s literature for the middle class. In Workers’ Tales, acclaimed critic and author Michael Rosen brings together more than forty of the best and most enduring examples of these stories in one beautiful volume.

    Throughout, the tales in this collection exemplify themes and ideas related to work and the class system, sometimes in wish-fulfilling ways. In “Tom Hickathrift,” a little, poor person gets the better of a gigantic, wealthy one. In “The Man Without a Heart,” a man learns about the value of basic labor after testing out more privileged lives. And in “The Political Economist and the Flowers,” two contrasting gardeners highlight the cold heart of Darwinian competition. Rosen’s informative introduction describes how such tales advocated for contemporary progressive causes and countered the dominant celebration of Britain’s imperial values. The book includes archival illustrations, biographical notes about the writers, and details about the periodicals where the tales first appeared.

    Provocative and enlightening, Workers’ Tales presents voices of resistance that are more relevant than ever before.

    https://mitpressbookstore.mit.edu/book/9780691175348

    https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctvc7769m

    • JohnBrownsBawdy [none/use name]@hexbear.netEnglish
      3·
      7 months ago

      Oh damn thanks for pointing this out! Michael Rosen has written a bunch of great kids books. I got the audiobook (it’s like $2 on audible rn) to listen to with my kids and will look for a print copy.