White Socks Only

Coleman, E. (Writer). Tamblyn, A. (Narrator). (1996). White Socks Only [Online video]. Albert Whitman & Company.

White Socks Only is a book about a young African-American girl who goes into the city one day to see if she can find a good spot to boil an egg on the cement. When she gets thirsty, she goes to a water fountain with the words "Whites Only" to get a drink of water. Reading the sign, she took off her shoes and stepped unto the stool with her clean white socks. A white man rampaged and threatened to beat her. One by one, several African-American's came and started drinking out of the fountain. The white man beat them all. Then, an old African-American man named the "Chicken-Man" came and drank out of the fountain for a real long time. The White man was so scared of the "Chicken Man" and they never saw the mean white man again, or the sign that said "Whites Only".

This book is a fantastic read. The book is a great visual representation of the struggles that many African-American's had to face just because of their skin color. The book teaches a great moral lesson without forcing values unto children, but rather instilling them. The book allows children to see that bad actions have consequences, and that the power of a group is better than standing alone. Also, that is takes someone to stand up for a cause before we can truly see change.

The illustrations were very reflective of African-American features. The only thing I thought was a bit odd was that the white man in the story appeared to have an African-American skin color and features. I am curious why the author would do this? The book has a female represented as the hero of the story, as well as a wise grandmother. This is wonderful for diversity and social justice standpoints.

The book also used African-American vernacular. Two examples of this from the story is "Stuff that his grandmother done taught him." and "Sho nuff be in trouble.". The book also used an onomatopoeia such as the word "Ping!" when she spit into a can. The book offered many different learning examples.

In the classroom, I would use this book to discuss onomatopoeia's, African-American and different cultural vernaculars, historical movements about the African-American community in the United States, social justice in the world today.

Lexile: AD630L (Adult directed discussion/reading)

Age Level: 7+

Literary Elements:
Character: Curious, Innocent, Strong-Willed, Perseverance

Mood: Brave, Bold, Inspirational, Humor

Setting: America- 1900's-1930's, segregated living, city