Play Lady by Eric Hoffman, Carmen Sosa-Masso, Suzanne Tornquist (Illustrator), Suzanne Tornquist (Illustrator), Carmen Sosa-Masso (Translator)

From the Publisher

A moving story about how the kids in the neighborhood help their "Play Lady" after she's the victim of a hate crime. Includes activity and teaching ideas.

early childhood expert and author of The Anti-Bias Curriculum - Louise Derman-Sparks

Play Lady and No Fair to Tigers are beautiful, child appropriate books. Many different kinds of children will see themselves and their lives reflected in these stories. They are just what we need to help young children explore the diversity in the world around them in a playful, child-centered way. These books fill a real niche because there is so little children's literature that accurately reflects the complexity of their lives.

September, 1999 - Foreward Magazine

Play Lady lives in a small trailer in the middle of a lush urban garden that she tends. The children who visit her are of many cultures and colors, and one, Kayla, is in a wheelchair.

But one day the children are horrified and sad to discover that Play Lady is the victim of a hate crime. Vandals painted mean words on her trailer, broke her windows and threw trash in the yard. The children enlist their parents' help to make repairs and restore her house and yard, and when their surprised friend returns, it is back to play again.

The book begins a new anti-bias series that is designed to teach children new ways to know the people around them. The text is in both English and Spanish and there are discussion questions in the back of the book for parents, teachers, and other caregivers. The art is colorful and appealing. The book has important lessons for children, but is not preachy. We know Play Lady, with her serene countenance, as the children see her.

Parents Choice

A neighborhood rich in ethnic diversity is the setting for this winning tale of community solidarity . Senora Juguetora, beloved for her garden and her playfulness, finds her mobile home vandalized; the neighborhood quickly come s to her aid. The richly detailed illustrations convey the feelings of each individual character, enhancing the message of accepting diversity. A 1999 Silver Award Winner. Ages 3 to 7.

Library Journal

K-Gr 3-While these bilingual titles introduce important themes such as the need to stand up to injustice and to seek positive change, they are marred by poor writing and amateurish artwork. In No Fair, Mandy fixes up her ragged, stuffed animal with the help of her family. When she goes to the pet store to get food for Old Tiger, she cannot get her wheelchair inside because of the steps out front. In Play Lady, after the garden belonging to an elderly Asian woman is vandalized in a hate crime, the neighborhood children and their parents help to restore the damage. A "Note to Parents, Teachers, and other Caregivers" at the end of each book suggests follow-up activities and discussion topics. Overall, these purposeful titles meant to encourage readers to think about these issues fall short in the execution of their mission.-Kristina Aaronson, Bethel Elementary School Library, VT Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

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