Sheila Says We're Weird

Sheila Says We're Weird

Picture book
Children are very observant of differences between their
families and other clans. Unlike many adults, though, they're more
likely to be curious than judgemental. Unlike most adults, they are
able to put their curiosity into words. Ruth Ann Smalley's Sheila
Says We're Weird puts this concept beautifully into words and pictures.
Smalley's narrator is a daughter in an ecology minded family.
Colorful pictures enhance the descriptions of the clan going about
activities common in earlier times but relatively rare these days.
Sheila is the red haired, freckle faced kid next door, the best friend
of the narrator's kid sister. She has questions about even the most
basic tasks: hanging laundry, planting a garden, mending clothes,
biking to the library... After each explanation Sheila comments that
it's weird. But her continuous presence and engagement take the
offensiveness out of her judgements.
Sheila Says We're Weird is more than just a good read aloud.
Families can find practices that they can take up to reduce their
carbon footprint. They can also build clan pride and identity by
relecting on what makes them "weird".
On a personal note, Orono Festival Day was really a let down for a
whole lot of people. Usually Mill Street is blocked off with tables
on both sides and live music and dancing. There is a true festival
atmosphere. People come in droves. This year it was shunted off to
the area near the elementary school. The music was missing. A lot of
people didn't bother to come. Everyone I talked to there was
seriously let down.
A great big shout out goes out to Jim and Mary Bird and their
dedicated crew who had their annual humungous yard sale to benefit the
Orono Bog Walk.
Julia Emily Hathaway


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