It has been a while since September 11, 2001, has been brought up as a topic on this blog. It's been about five years in fact. It's not because there isn't any interest in the topic. There are still many books, articles or movies about that tragic day produced today. Nor is it because that historic event has no bearing on what's going on in our world today. Clearly, that is not the case either. One look at the news cycle and it's obvious we are a much different country than we were on September 10, 2001. This comes up now because of an interesting storytime idea that a fellow peer brought up as a challenge. Could a storytime involving real-life, in-the-news, historical event be a hit with children? Is the topic too depressing? Too graphic? Too controversial? If handled carefully and being sensitive the program could lead to valuable discussions between adult and children. After all, September 11th was a major event in recent history. As librarians, it is our responsibility to preserve our common history in order to pass down the lessons learned to the next generations of Americans.
Whenever dealing with a topic such as a tragedy, the first step is to let the children know that whenever they want to stop or pause the story to ask questions or make a comment about something that was just read it is okay to do so. Some may say this is disruptive to the flow of the story. This event was mindblowing when it first happened. Even days after September 11, 2001, it was hard for many adults to wrap their heads around what had happened. Think of how confusing that must have been for the children. Honestly, even today at the many 9/11 memorial programs around the country it is still difficult to comprehend the senseless loss. In this instance, let the children ask their questions and allow them to express what they are feeling. It may help the other children in the program gain a better understanding.
At the start of the storytime or children's program that involves a difficult topic, it is always best to let the children and parents see the books that will be read. Have them on display, provide a handout for the parents that lists and give details about each book so as the parent is getting ready to listen to the book with their child, there will be better equipped to respond to their child's reaction. This may mean that they may leave the program because they are concerned that their child may not be ready to have such information. That's okay. The suggestion can be made that the parents check out one or two of the books to bring home to read in a more familiar and private setting.
My fourth-grade teacher, Sr. Bernice, would always say to her students that tragedies are awful situations but many times there is something good to come out of it. That reassuring sentiment should be shared with children. They need to know, just as adults do, that all is not lost. All is not hopeless. In the case of September 11, the good that was for that one moment, Americans came together to help each other, to work alongside each other to get passed the day after 9/11 and prayed together. When planning a storytime specifically about 9/11, there is, in my opinion, one book that should be on the reading list. Fireboat: The Historic Adventure of the John J. Harvey by Maria Kalman (2002) is a book that illustrates the mood before, during and after 9/11 perfectly for children to understand. Ms. Kalman adds a few interesting trivia about the tugboat along with a touching tribute to all who pitched in to help fellow New Yorkers. It handles the topic masterfully.
There are many books that are gems to share with children about this historic event. There should be no reason to shy away from the topic. It may be challenging but worth the time and effort. If interested in the list of resources used for the September 11 Storytime Program, email me at thelibrarianatlarge@gmail.com. In the email subject line please type Request Sept 11 Storytime.
Until next time, let us never forget that what unites as a country is our share stories. Both good and bad.
