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Saturday, November 28, 2020

We Wear Masks, written and illustrated by Marla Lesage. Orca Book Publishers, 2020. $19.95 ages 4 and up

 

"Even these superheroes think that it's wise
to slap on a mask when they need a disguise.
Welders at work are protecting their sight 
from the heat and the sparks and the dangerous light. 
Now everyday heroes are all wearing masks, 
like doctors and nurses at work on their tasks.
"

I cannot for the life of me understand why it is so hard for many to step up to the plate, and just wear a mask. Kids are doing it without complaints, with guidance from parents and teachers who encourage them to care about both themselves and others. You don't have to look too far to see the many other places where masks are worn, for the same reasons. 

There is no doubt that kids are anxious in the midst of this pandemic that has changed their world. What they need is help with understanding those many changes they are being asked to accept. To that end, Marla Lesage (a New Brunswick registered nurse) has written calm and helpful words to encourage us  to look at those who wear masks for a variety of reasons. 

Double-page spreads effectively create scenarios, often familiar to the children who will be reading or sharing this book. In each of the scenes, Ms. Lesage shows mask wearers and then explains in rhyming couplets why they have donned protection. Whether they are artists, welders, ranchers, pilots, each has a good reason for covering their faces. It's a pretty simple message, isn't it? 

"You'lll find it quite easy to still share a smile
if you venture outside in a mask that's your style.
"

It is where we are. There are many reasons for wearing a mask, not the least of which is to show others that we care about them, too. Let's do what we are asked to do, and help children understand why we are.  It's a pretty normal thing to do. 

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