Mending Fences
A weathered board fence held up the daisies that grew without thought of which side they were facing. It stood as a property line between two yards, two families, and two colors. However, that old country fence was intended for sipping lemonades, swapping stories, and sitting next to new friends.
Jacqueline Woodson shares a beautiful story in her children’s book, The Other Side, about two young girls who grow up on separate sides of a fence and are told not to cross over. Yet, with time and courage, the girls come to realize that fence is made for sharing, no matter the color of your skin. E. B. Lewis illustrates beautifully with watercolor-like images the way friendship is meant to be shared.
First written in 2001, Woodson’s book and Lewis illustrations were presented at the Maier Museum of Art at Randolph College in Lynchburg, VA, the fall of 2019. The 10th Anniversary Edition is a reminder of hope for an even brighter future as “fences” continue to come down as we continue to learn more and appreciate cultural diversity among each of us.
In honor of Black History Month, this poignant story causes a tug at one’s heart. Praised by Booklist as “a must for the classroom, this will move many readers to explore their own family roots.” The School Library Journal claims it as “an outstanding tribute, perfectly executed.”
Pick up your very own copy from our local Givens Books/Little Dickens located conveniently off Route 221. You will not be disappointed in the lyrical prose or the artistry portrayed within the pages of this historical storybook.