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A review by mldavisreads
The Paper Kingdom by Helena Ku Rhee
adventurous
reflective
Picture book. Danie lives with his parents in an apartment. Usually he sleeps while they work cleaning an office building at night, but when the sitter can't come Daniel goes with them. As he sees his parents clean up after others, rub their sore muscles, and sneeze, Daniel gets mad. He is mad that others have made a mess and that his parents clean it up. To pass the time and calm him, they pretend the building is magic, with dragons and kings and queens. Only the king can tell others what to do, so they say Daniel will have to be king one day.
I have no patience with those that disrespect so-called blue collar workers. As a family member to multiple construction workers, farmers, and a mechanic-- I know that working with your hands is no less demanding than working in an office setting. I could appreciate both the fact that Daniel's parents were working hard and that their bodies could feel it. I understand the familiar sentiment that they want him to have a less physically demanding job as an adult (a mindset that has caused a lack of trade workers in today's youth). But Daniel's parents made the best of it, and found a way for it be memorable for him. They made it a special family time instead of complaining about the rudeness of the office tenants. Another example of people that are not often represented in children's literature: night workers and custodians. Well done.
I have no patience with those that disrespect so-called blue collar workers. As a family member to multiple construction workers, farmers, and a mechanic-- I know that working with your hands is no less demanding than working in an office setting. I could appreciate both the fact that Daniel's parents were working hard and that their bodies could feel it. I understand the familiar sentiment that they want him to have a less physically demanding job as an adult (a mindset that has caused a lack of trade workers in today's youth). But Daniel's parents made the best of it, and found a way for it be memorable for him. They made it a special family time instead of complaining about the rudeness of the office tenants. Another example of people that are not often represented in children's literature: night workers and custodians. Well done.