Keisha learns about her historical family background of sweet grass basket weaving, and wants to continue the tradition. They find baskets that her great-grandfather made and one her grandmother made when she started basket weaving. Keisha brother wants to know if it is just for women because he really wants to basket weave as well.
“A Chair For My Mother”, is a picture book about a family who loses everything in a fireand have to make sacrifices to get back on their feet. The family consist of a grandmother, mother, and a daugther. Several neighbors helped out by replacing some of the things the family lost but something just wasn’t right. They all decide to save all their money and put it in a jar. When they had saved enough money, the family went out and bought a chair because comfortable one they had was damaged in the house fire. With this chair the family felt as if all worries were gone away.
Karen Hesse tells the story of Tessie, a little girl anxiously awaiting a storm on a hot summer day. As the storm approaches, she gathers her friends together in their bathing suits so that they can go out and enjoy the wonderful rain. This is a excellent story that portrays a positive image of friendship and mother-daughter relationships in an urban setting. The illustrations are beautiful and colorful and it’s a great read.