Picture Book Reviews

JUST THE TWO OF US

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Smith, Will.  Just the Two of Us. llI. by Kadir Nelson.  Scholastic Press: Singapore. 2001.
Scholastic ISBN: 0439087929

PLOT SUMMARY
An African-American man raps the lyrics to this popular song by Ralph MacDonald as he reflects upon the feelings he has for his son. He chronicles his commitment as the child grows into a young man. The story follows the development of the young boy with typical problems along his path in life and the advice he tries to remember from his father. The main struggle through the story, belongs to the author, Will Smith, who is concerned about his growth in being a positive role model for his son. The refrain of the song is repeated in this rap which uses some rhyming to express Smith's feelings as he learns what it means to be a father.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The book begins with quotes from Will Smith’s parents as he was growing up. It is dedicated to his parents and the memory of his grandmother. The last quote is from his son who “said he wants to build castles in the sky.” His parents’ responses to his comments and his response to his own son set the tone of this lovely story. In the book the father gives the child valuable advice as he grows, “I’ll do everything I can to show you how to be a man. Dignity, integrity, honor…and you can cry, there ain’t no shame in it” The theme "Just the two of us..." provides a deeper meaning of the father's commitment that is implicit throughout the story. It is a touching story for fathers to share with their sons and mothers to share with their daughters.

Kadir Nelson's illustrations use warm and cool colors to compliment the realistic facial expressions of the father and to depict the mood changes throughout the book. Colors move from dark to light providing a sense of worry and hope. The story begins with the sunrise and ends with the sunset, illustrating the journey of the man's path through fatherhood. Beautiful poster-like illustrations provide a focal point in the father's experiences with his son and convey a sense of meaningful lessons learned along the way.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
Booklist: starred review “A good choice for parent-child sharing.”
School Library Journal: “A lovely book for fathers and sons to share.”

CONNECTIONS
*Discuss the relationships between fathers and sons/ mothers and daughters
*Gather other books illustrated by Kadir Nelson. Look at how the pictures express the mood of the book as well as character development in the feelings of anxiety, worry, happiness, strength, and contentment.

*Other books by Kadir Nelson:
Henry's Freedom Box By Ellen Levine, 2007 ISBN: 043477733-X
Dancing Wings  By Debbie Allen, 2000 ISBN: 0803725019

RESOURCES:
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/ (School Library Journal accessed January 2010)
http://www.publishersweekly.com/Community/Reviews/47159.html
(Publisher’s Weekly accessed January 2010)
Picture: http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0439087929.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_SL250_.jpg