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Just the Two of Us (Paperback)
by Will Smith
| Category:
Love, Ages 4-8, Children's book |
| Market price: ¥ 88.00
MSL price:
¥ 78.00
[ Shop incentives ]
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| Stock:
In Stock |
MSL rating:
 Good for Gifts |
| MSL Pointer Review:
Celebrates the dignity, integrity, and honor of being a father. |
| If you want us to help you with the right titles you're looking for, or to make reading recommendations based on your needs, please contact our consultants. |
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Author |
Description |
Excerpt |
Reviews |
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Author: Will Smith
Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks
Pub. in: February, 2005
ISBN: 043966943X
Pages: 32
Measurements: 9.6 x 8 x 0.1 inches
Origin of product: USA
Order code: BC00073
Other information: Reprint edition
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- MSL Picks -
From this book, the children will learn a few small gems of wisdom that are very important. For example, throughout life people will treat them badly and disrespect them but they must let God deal with those people. If they keep hate it will consume them-not to condemn people for their actions but to follow their own path to righteousness. The people should let God deal with the negativity that people bring towards them.
Besides, the children also will learn the importance of dedication. Mom and Dad are the measuring tool for the greatness that this world can be and the level of godliness that exists. So if a child’s mother doesn’t love them, it is hard for them to believe that anyone will love them. If their father is not there to protect them, it is hard for them to believe that anyone will protect them, even God.
I think this book is really good. I recommend to any parent to read this to their child. Will Smith is an excellent storyteller in this touching book.
Target readers:
Kids aged 4-8
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- Better with -
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With a few changes, Smith has transformed the lyrics of his 1997 song into a wonderful book for youngsters. An African-American man raps with his son: "Just the two of us,/building castles in the sky./Just the two of us,/you and I." The refrain appears as a chorus in this rap, which tenderly reveals a father's feelings at his son's birth and as the child grows to be a young man. The man's hopes for his son's future are underpinned by his commitment to love, discipline, and advise as best he can. The text does not always scan well or rhyme precisely, but the words are expressive; here they convey the sure sense of a parent's love and care. The text set in fonts of various sizes and types and creating emphasis and variety, is strikingly spaced on each double-page spread. It is coupled with moving pencil-and-oil illustrations of a father lifting his son toward the sky, playing basketball with him, etc. Many of the stunning images are set against a blue sky and conjure up a marvelous atmosphere of spaciousness and freedom. While implying all the opportunities open to the child, they also show the intimate connection among these family members. "Always tell the truth, say your prayers/Hold doors, pull out chairs, easy on the swears/You're living proof that dreams come true/I love you and I'm here for you." It’s a lovely book for fathers and sons to share.
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Bill Fyffe Jr (MSL quote), Austin Texas
<2006-12-28 00:00>
One day, I came home from work and found my daughters watching a television sitcom called, "The Fresh Prince of BelAir". Will Smith played the title role of a young man whose mom uprooted him from the tough streets of West Philly to the care of his affluent aunt and uncle in BelAir, California. The storyline hilariously depicted Will's adjustment from rags to riches with his new family; and moreover, their adjustment to their new relative. From that moment on, I became a big fan of Will Smith, watching every episode of the show, and following his career as a movie actor. Needless to say, he is a multi-talented and gifted entertainer.
Just the other day, I was in a local bookstore and ventured on over to the children's section and found this little book that will have written. I lifted it from the display and began to read it, and with tears welling up in my eyes, was introduced to the softer, fatherly side of the Fresh Prince. Furthermore, the story caused me to reflect on the good times that I had growing up with my dad, and the importance for all dads to spend significant amounts of time with their young sons. It would be a great book for fathers and sons to read together, and would make a perfect Father's Day gift.
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Kym Jensen (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-28 00:00>
My husband has been singing this song to our son (now 3) since the day he came home from the hospital-literally singing it on the way home! I saw this book in the store and knew it would be the perfect gift for our son to give him on Father's Day.
The illustrations on each page clearly depict the lyrics of the song. I would recommend this to anyone-even those of you who are not Will Smith fans!
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Donald Mitchell (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-28 00:00>
I have always been partial to the idea of coupling genres. I like to see sculptures that are imaginatively lit, with music playing in the background. To take a song and turn it into a book was an inspired choice to me. As I read the words and look at the beautiful images, I feel strong emotions that are evoked by hearing the song in my mind. The effect is a lot like seeing a motion picture, or being in an emotion-filled moment with wonderful music resonating through your body. Whether or not you are a single father, this book will move you in beautiful ways.
The book builds from a father's reminiscences about what it was like to become a man, a father, and then to take on the sole parenting role after a divorce. Every father will remember having these same emotions, and will be glad to have memories of them reawakened.
The book begins with:
"I told my parents I wanted to build a castle in the sky."
"'Here's a pencil and paper, let's draw the plans,' they replied."
The book ends with:
"My son told me he wanted to build a castle in the sky."
"'Here's a pencil and paper, let's draw the plans,' I replied."
The song has many other inspiring lyrics that work well here. Some of my favorites include:
"I pledge my life to you."
"a little me"
"I wanna kiss you all the time."
"I try to be a tough dad, but you keep making me laugh . . . ."
"It didn't work out with me and your mom . . ./You were conceived in love."
"One day some girl's gonna break your heart."
"Throughout life people will make you mad . . . /Let God deal with the things they do . . . ."
"Always tell the truth, say your prayers/Hold doors, pull out chairs, easy on the swears."
Some people may be bothered by the colloquial words and grammar. If the book were not based on a song, that would be a problem. But I found the usages helped with the mood. This is just an ordinary man, with feet of clay, doing his best. If his grammar isn't perfect, that's just part of portraying his character.
Some readers may not like the way the rhymes scan. Some rhymes are definitely forced, but others lines flow nicely. If I were to judge the book as poetry, I would definitely grade it down for these problems. But in the context of the musical experience, I found it worked all right. So it is just a missed opportunity to be even better.
I found the recollections of what it was like before going to the hospital, the experiences there, and coming home to be especially moving.
I hope other authors will take on these important moments of fatherhood and give them their own special interpretation, as well.
The illustrations should be singled out for special praise. They create a magical mood that allows your mind to experience the book as both memory and movie while the music plays on. Whether you are black or have some other color skin, you will identify directly with the characters in these illustrations without thinking about what their color is. That is a fine achievement in portraying universal expressions of love.
Almost any father would be delighted to have this book as a gift for father's day from a daughter or son.
After you finish reading the book, take a moment to reflect on your father or your experiences as a father. If your father is still alive, share with him some of your memories of when it was "just the two of us" when you were growing up.
Be inspired by the most precious and optimistic memories you have! |
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