Thursday, July 6, 2017

Step Right Up: How Doc and Jim Key Taught the World About Kindness by Bowman - ESSENTIAL

Bowman, Donna Janell Step Right Up: How Doc and Jim Key Taught the World About Kindness, illustrated by Daniel Minter  PICTURE BOOK.  Lee & Low Books, 2017.  $20.

Doc Key was born a slave, but after the Civil War, his skill at healing man and beast allowed him to set up a confortable home.  One day he saved a worn-out horse from a traveling circus and that horse’s foal was Jim Key.  At first Doc was just treating Jim as part of the family, but with his wife’s help, he realized that Jim was actually learning.  Jim’s learning became so well-known, that for nine years they performed all over the United States.  Part of their earnings went to support animal rescue organizations.

Jim Key’s story is an excellent example of a story that needed to be reintroduced to the world.  Doc’s method of training Jim always involved only love, not fear.  A good principle to remember no matter who you are teaching.  This is an easy choice for many classroom units.

EL (K-3), EL – ESSENTIAL.  Cindy, Library Teacher

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