What's Our Names?

Question: How does an old, shattered and tattered talkative guitar become best buddies with a whimsical, pudgy gourmet chef? Answer: Realizing that everyone has his or her own unique identity in this world. In other words, you don't have to look, act or be the same as others to be accepted by others. Within the early stages of growth, children need to be introduced to books, which include jovial characters and vivid illustrations, depicting harmony, respect and brotherhood towards others. This is the premise of Les Kraft's humorous children's book, "What's Our Names?" In his picture book, he's incorporated two, very different looking characters, who go about life in a fun-filled way. To further embellish their cheerful adventures, he structured the book in a manner that the text is actually a song (lyrics and sheet music included) which can be utilized in schools within a literacy reading program, to teach multi-cultural awareness or in a music program. Actually, this book was thirty-five years in the making. Mr. Kraft created 'Charley the Guitar' in 1970. While teaching music in an elementary school in Brooklyn, he utilized his guitar as a motivational device, using the guitar's sounds to represent his own voice while teaching children. Years later, as an Early Childhood School Administrator, Mr. Kraft gave demonstration cooking lessons to the first grade children in his school. He used both characters to instill kindness and friendship to the children in his school. Young children need to be motivated to learn how to read. Mr. Kraft's picture book "What's Our Names?" should provide that motivation.