Shelter

Shelter, by Celine Claire

I read this sweet book to preschool today.  A big storm is approaching and all of the animals are seeking shelter, but when two strangers come along the other animals are unwilling to share their shelter and supplies.  Amazon describes the book as a "heartwarming picture book story [that] delivers a timeless and timely message about the importance of kindness and generosity. With simple and evocative language, it explores how even small gestures can make a big difference to the strangers or outsiders in a community. "

I was surprised and intrigued by the preschoolers comments and reactions.  The noticed immediately that the strangers are polar bears, and were not at all surprised that the other animals wouldn't let them in.  "Polar bears are PREDATORS!" called out one child.  When the snow started falling hard and fast, the kids weren't worried because, "Polar bears live in the snow. They are happy there."  They saw nothing wrong with the other animals not sharing their shelters.  By the end, when the Fox family needs help (spoiler alert!) and the kids all agreed that of course the polar bears would help them, because "Polar Bears are nice!"

While I looked at this book as a statement on refugees, politics, and global peace, they saw a simple polar bear who may or may not eat the prey, but is perfectly happy living in the snow anyway. 

The preschool teacher told me that later in the day when they were outside for recess, the children dug deep "shelters" in the snowbanks.  <3