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$24.99

Hardback

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English
Skinner House Books
01 January 2022
Age range 3 to 6

A parable for children about allyship, solidarity, and liberation, inspired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu said, 'If an elephant has its foot on the tail of mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.' With a thoughtful story and lush watercolour illustrations inspired by Tutu's parable, Desmond Gets Free explores timely and nuanced concepts of justice and liberation in a kid-friendly way. When Desmond the mouse's tail is trapped under a sleeping elephant, he asks for help from every kind of animal passing by, but no one wants to disturb the sleeping giant. How will Desmond get free?
By:  
Illustrated by:   Khim Fam (Khim Fam)
Imprint:   Skinner House Books
Country of Publication:   United States
Dimensions:   Height: 203mm,  Width: 203mm, 
ISBN:   9781558968660
ISBN 10:   1558968660
Pages:   40
Publication Date:  
Recommended Age:   From 4 years
Audience:   Children/juvenile ,  English as a second language
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active

Matt Meyer has a degree in hand drumming from Berklee College of Music and has studied abroad in Cuba, Ghana, and Central America. He's worked on campaigns to preserve old growth forests, support farmworkers rights, and stop the construction of fossil fuel pipelines, and is always looking for ways to dismantle systems of oppression and support communities grounded in justice. He travels the country making music and speaking about the intersections of music, community, and social justice. Khim Fam is a self-taught illustrator who caught the painting bug as a child watching his uncle paint vibrant canvases in the studio. He loves taking long walks in the woods and is inspired by the colors and shapes of our natural landscape. Khim hopes to create magical worlds through painting that allow us to better connect ourselves with the world around us.

Reviews for Desmond Gets Free

I love this book! Khim Fam's illustrations bring Desmond Tutu's enduring quote to life, while Matt Meyer cleverly navigates the metaphor to teach young readers about the power of community action. -Innosanto Nagara, author and illustrator of A is for Activist, Counting on Community, and M is for Movement Beautiful watercolor illustrations enhance this timely parable about the dangers of indifference and the rewards of solidarity. -Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, author of God's Paintbrush, The Story of AND: The Little Word That Changed the World, and Who is My Neighbor? with Amy-Jill Levine While Desmond Gets Free is busy introducing children ages four to eight to the importance of being an ally, it meaningfully pricks the conscience of adults who share the book with young readers. Our hats are off to Meyer and Fam for seeing the potential in Archbishop Tutu's quote and reminding us all to foster compassionate understanding that leads to action. -Spirituality & Practice


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