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Dad Diary

 One gift Kevin Henkes has is that he doesn't talk down to children. He recognizes that life is complicated, and he doesn't try to simplify things that can't be simplified.

In "Penny and Her Marble," Penny discovers a small treasure on a neighbor's lawn. A blue marble! It can't belong to the neighbor--Mrs. Goodwin--because she's too old for play-time. So Penny snatches the marble and rejoices.

Later, though, Penny's conscience grows active. Has she committed theft? Penny spots Mrs. Goodwin on her lawn....maybe in mourning for her marble? Penny can't eat; the peas and oranges on the table seem to be angry marbles, antagonizing her. Penny dreams that the blue marble in her dresser swells and swells, and finally breaks its prison bars, like the tell-tale heart.

In the morning, Penny runs the marble back to Mrs. Goodwin, who shrugs. "I put it there so a child would take it. Enjoy your marble."

I guess the "lesson" is: Communication is a good idea. But even when we're well-intentioned, and we try hard, we can't always spare ourselves from pain. I love that; I love how that thought is captured in an "easy reader." I'll be returning to Penny often.
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