GroshLink

Yes, we have four girls who love American Girl dolls. None-the-less, I'm surprised by the attention our three year old has given to Kit Learns A Lesson: A School Story (Valerie Tripp. Pleasant Company, 2004). The short chapter book has some great pictures (full page and woven into the edges of the text) and Tripp is an excellent storyteller, but there is a lot of text. I must say my greatest appreciation of the opportunity to read Kit Learns A Lesson with our three year old is the opportunity to discuss The Great Depression. Another great example of history and the lessons learned from it, when interpreted through the proper lens, speaking into the present :) 

We're at the crucial part of the story, which occurs at the end of Chapter 3: Spilling the Beans. Through a fun set-up, the three main children in the story deliver their class' Thanksgiving donations to the local soup kitchen.

But they stopped giggling when they turned the corner onto River Street and saw the line outside the soup kitchen. It was four people across, and it stretched from the door of the soup kitchen all the way to the end of the block. The people stood shoulder to shoulder, hunched against the rain. The brims of their hats were pulled low over their faces as if they were ashamed to be there and did not want to be recognized. The buildings that lined the street were as gray as the rain. They seemed to slump together as if they were ashamed, too. . . . 

Kit, Ruthie, and Stirling kept their eyes on the bread as they handed it out. It was kinder and more respectful not to look into the faces of the people, who seemed grateful but embarrassed to be accepting free food. Most of them kept their eyes down, too. Kit felt very, very sorry for them as they took their bread, murmured their thanks, and moved away. All these people have sad stories to tell, she thought. They weren't alway hungry and hopeless like they are now. How humiliating this must be for them!

The lady handing out the groceries seemed to know some of the people. "Well, hello!" she said to one man. "You're here a little later than usual today."

Kit handed the man his bread.

"Thank-you," he said.

Kit looked up, bewildered.

It was Dad (43-44. italics in original).