Title: Tell Me a Tattoo Story
Written by: Alison McGhee
Illustrated by: Eliza Wheeler
Published by: Chronicle Books, 2016
Themes/Topics: tattoos, fathers and sons, personal history
Suitable for ages: 5-7
Opening:
You wanna see my tattoos?
Synopsis:
This is a modern father-son love story. The father tells his little son the story behind each of his tattoos, and together they go on a beautiful journey through family history. There’s a tattoo from a favorite book his mother used to read him, one from something his father used to tell him, and one from the longest trip he ever took. And there is a little heart with numbers inside—which might be the best tattoo of them all.
Why I like This Book:
In pastel greens, yellows, orange and purple, Eliza Wheeler charmingly brings alive this tattoo history between father and son. The language is simple as is the story arc, but I found this a delightful and unusual focus for a picture book, which I believe will work equally with little readers used to adult tattoos and those for whom it is more of a new art form.
Activities/Resources:
I’d do an art lesson where in pairs, students create wash off tattoos on each others arms of an important moment in that child’s life.
Or, here is a website on how to make your own temporary stick-on tattoos with your children.
Each week a group of bloggers reviews picture books we feel would make great educational reads. To help teachers, caregivers and parents, we have included resources and activities with each of our reviews. A complete list of the thousands of books we have reviewed can be found sorted alphabetically and by topics, here on Susanna Leonard Hill’s website.
In my 20's, with only my guitar and a rucksack, I wandered the continents, immersing myself in the lives of some wonderful people, projects and stories, which changed the way I view my responsibility to others and this earth. Right now I'm a European transplant in the US who writes books for children and young adults. Stories can help us not only navigate our world but can connect us to others, and allow us to inspire and help each other. I believe that equity and empathy should be at the core of our all actions, words, and stories.
I am also a school librarian and I get a kick out of book-matchmaking! And I use the pronouns she/her.
What a very clever idea children’s book. So many kids have both parents with tattoos and it is very relevant. But I like the bonding in this story!
Yes, and a great way to share family history.
This sounds like a unique story! 😀
Yes, quite unusual.
I thought that this was a sweet story too, Joanna!! I nominated it for a Cybil 🙂
OO, I am so glad you did that, Maria. I nominated HOOT AND PEEP by Lita Judge.