Daughter-in-law Kelly introduced me to a new book in her online children’s Sunday school lesson. The picture book Who Is My Neighbor? by Amy-Jill Levine and Sandy Eisenberg Sasso could be thought of as a lesson for our day and time, but one does not get too far into the story before realizing it really is an old story for all times.
The premise of the Blues who think they are a much better color, and the Yellows who think they are the best has a long history. Children can see the fallacy in this kind of assumption, and you might think adults could, too. Then you hear coded remarks that insinuate certain nations, political parties, cultures, etc. are inherently better than others and that members of the opposite don’t quite measure up. Perhaps the other side is not even to be trusted.
The story in the book has Midnight Blue in trouble and needing help, skirted by Navy Blue and Powder Blue who are afraid if they help, they will be attacked as well. Then Lemon Yellow comes along and overcomes his doubts about Blues to give help and take Midnight to see Doctor Gold. If you have been to Sunday school as many years as I have, you will recognize The Good Samaritan parable about this time. However, the authors take it a bit further and finish with Midnight Blue and Lemon Yellow introducing their communities and enriching their lives as they share the unique blue and yellow foods they had previously kept to themselves.
Back matter includes further discussion on the Good Samaritan parable and discussion questions that a teacher, parent, or grandparent might use with children. It wouldn’t even hurt if another adult who happened to be in the room heard the discussion and story.