VSN challenge was to "find inspiration from your favorite childhood storybook and make a card to represent that story"
My favorite childhood books when I was beginning to read were the Little Golden Books. One title is now banned ... Little Black Sambo.
I've never understood why it was banned (racism???). I never saw the racism in the book. I saw a little boy who lived in another country rise up and meet a challenge .... tigers menacing his family.
He conned them into chasing each other around a tree; they ran so fast they became melted butter. (Which is why I mixed fuzzy flock with glittery gold). Then his papa collected the butter and his mama made pancakes. The story ends telling how many they ate.
My dad would melt brown sugar for syrup, my mom made pancakes, and we had a little metal tub of melted butter. Mmmmm, family togetherness.
I loved this book long before Martin Luther King led the song "We Shall Overcome."
Date: Friday, August 22, 2008 GMT Views: 892
Favorited:2
Registered: August 1, 2006 Location: Missouri Posts: 26794
Fri, Aug 22, 2008 @ 10:19 PM
I loved that book too. I love how he outsmarted the tigers. I love when the tigers are wearing his shoes on their ears. I love your butterring around the tree. I love overcome at the top. Awesome card.
Registered: August 20, 2006 Location: Issaquah, WA/Sun Lakes, AZ Posts: 5044
Fri, Aug 22, 2008 @ 10:58 PM
Wow! That's some incredible insight into that story. I love that you've added to your story how Little Black Sambo's story affected your own family. Very interesting.
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Registered: October 19, 2004 Location: SE North Carolina Posts: 11589
Sat, Aug 23, 2008 @ 11:08 AM
I've heard of this story and knew it was banned but never really knew what it was about. Thanks for the insight. Your card is a lovely depiction of the story - very creative. I love the family story too - thanks for sharing it. And thanks for playing in my challenge.
Registered: April 28, 2005 Location: Hoosier Land Posts: 22942
Sat, Aug 23, 2008 @ 11:24 AM
Oh, that is just great, Betty. My mom used to have a copy of Little Black Sambo and I loved to have her read it as a kid. I wonder where it is now? It's a great little book.....and so is your card! Adorable! Love the 'melted butter'!
Registered: March 3, 2005 Location: the frozen north Posts: 26930
Sat, Aug 23, 2008 @ 12:27 PM
Funny how many people have mentioned that book, I always enjoyed it as a child too, it seemed so exotic! And the colors in the book are well represented in your card. Liking the glitter!
Registered: September 18, 2006 Location: SingStampShine, Florida Posts: 53481
Sat, Aug 23, 2008 @ 3:02 PM
I remember Little Black Sambo! My mom still has a *forbidden* copy. I remember it simply as a story of a very smart little boy who out-witted some very big ferocious tigers. Isn't it great how kids don't see anything in *black and white*?!
I love your We Shall Overcome card! The colorful tree and the circle of melted butter is the perfect symbol of how we--regardless of our color/ethnicity--can embrace our differences, rejoice in our individuality, and still live in harmony. Great card!