On The News

Written by Dr. Jillian Roberts
Illustrated by Jane Heinrichs
Published April 9, 2018

Why we chose this book:
T responded very well to On Our Street by the same author; it was helpful in answering his questions about impoverished people in our city. T has also overheard his dad and me discussing news and asked about it, starting with the Thai boys who were trapped in the cave. Given these circumstances, I thought this this would not only be a good fit for our blog, but also a timely read for T. Orca Book Publishers provided a review copy.

Mom's Review

Direct and honest while remaining age-appropriate, On The News explains what tragic news events are, why they occur, and how people react and respond to them.

Where do you start, what do you say when your child asks about tough topics like death tolls, assaults, or emergencies on the news? We have been talking to T about political events and news since the presidential election, but have tried to shield him from violent news and news of natural disasters. As I mentioned in the "why we chose this" section, he heard us discussing the trapped Thai boys and asked about it. We explained what happened, trying to focus on how sometimes people have problems and need lots of help and it's on the news. More recently we've been talking about weather, which led to a conversation about flooding in the south. While we've tackled tragic/devastating news already with him, it has not been easy. This picture book about tragedies on the news has been a support and a resource in talking about what is going on in our country and in the world. When I've read this with T, I skip the section on terrorist attacks (which he doesn't notice), and focus on the content explaining natural disasters, the emotional reactions of those involved and us, how aid is provided, and how we can help. Sidebars and back matter provide more information for older readers and for parents. T and I chat as we read it (about the flooding, the boys, and upsetting political news), but he didn't have much to say for his portion of the review; I know that this will be drawn on for future conversations, reference points, and selected reading to answer T's questions. 

If you have a curious kiddo who hears more than you might expect — and who doesn't? — I recommend On the News.

Son's Review
(Age: 3 and 1/2 years)

Mom: Do you know about any bad things happening, T?

Son: Flooding and wars - those are. And killing, and sick. And like torn-down buildings, like in real life.
(A local cathedral is in the process of being torn down. It's been controversial.)
_________________________________________
Son: Look at that.

Mom: That is a child collecting clean water.

Son: Wow! He had to walk really far. Why did he?

Mom: He couldn't get clean water from the faucet. The earthquake shook the ground really hard so that lots of stuff was broken, like the water pipes.
_________________________________________
Mom: How do you feel when you hear about things like floods?

Son: I feel very annoyed.

Mom: What can you do if there is a tragedy in the world?

Son: I can share my feelings.
(One section of the book addresses how to handle your feelings when you hear about tragedies.)

Mom: What did this book help you understand?

Son: Tragedy is something that is a BAD thing.

Mom: Does any good come after tragedies?...Let's turn back to the end... What kind of good?

Son: Yes. That they are rebuilding buildings.

Mom: What would you tell a friend that this book is about?

Son: I would tell him that there was bad things on it. And I would tell him that bad things are called tragedies.