Watermelons Not War, by the Nuclear Education Project, 1984, 162 pp., $9.95 from:· New Society Publishers 4722 Baltimore Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19143 How would you respond if your child asked, "What would happen if there was a nuclear war and I was the only one left?" It's not easy. Children growing up today in the shadow of nuclear war ponder such questions. Five Boston atea mothers, faced with this dilemma of having to answer their children's questions about nuclear war when they themselves feared the same questions, formed a support group to discuss parenting in our nuclear age. The group soon progressed into a book-writing collective, the Nuclear Education Project, which produced Watermelons Not War. Confronting the issues head on, the authors/mothers offer their advice in answering questions such as, "What are we going to do if there is a war?" Simplified background material on nuclear power, and the related issues of the environment and energy, helps to explain nuclear issues to children. · A comprehensive resource list of books and organizations rounds out this excellent guide. The suggested readings for · children are unique in that they do not address the nuclear problem directly but bring up related topics which provide a foundation for further discussion. An excellent resource for parents faced with raising children in the nuclear world of today. The Butter Battle Book, by Dr. Seuss, 1984, 42 pp., $6.95 from: Random House 201 East 50th Street New York, NY 10022 What, RAIN reviewing Dr. Seuss? Yes, you've got it right, from the author who brought us such children's classics as Green Eggs and Ham and Fox in Socks comes the story of the long running battle between the Yooks and the Zooks. The embittered dispute arises over a seemingly small but important cultural difference-upon which side they butter their bread. A satirical weapons race emerges starting with an innocent slingshot and progressing to preposterous heights with other Seussian weapons thought up by the "Boys in the Back Room." The allegorical story ends unresolved with both sides about to drop the ultimate weapon; the "Bi_tsy Big-Boy Boomeroo" filled with "mysterious Moo-Lacka-Moo." Just another silly story from Dr. Seuss ... or is it? I've heard rumors that this book is being used to introduce the numbing topic of nuclear war to children. Bravo! What better way to fix in young minds the ridiculousness of it all. · Peace Child Foundation PO Box33168 Washington, DC 20033 The Peace Child Foundation encourages peace education through promotion of the play The Peace Child. This musical, written-for children, is set in the future on .·~ FROM: Please Save My World. Illustration by Candy Jernigan March/April 1985 RAIN Page 17 Peace Day-a holiday celebrating the time when all nations of the world gave up their arms. As part of the celebration, children of a small town reenact the story of how a Russian girl and American boy became friends, and through their friendship persuaded the leaders of their countries to give peace a chance. The play is designed to generate discussion.on the arms race and peace issues. An accompanying study guide encourages kids to change scenes and even the ending of the play to include matters that concern them or relevant current events. A study guide, script, score, and sound cassette of the Kennedy Center performance are available from the Peace Child Foundation for $40. This empowering play has been performed by scores of schools across the U.S. and a joint U.S./ U.S.S.R. performance will-take place this summer in Moscow at the 12th World Festival of Youth and Students. ' Educa~ors for Social Responsibility 23 Garden Street Cambridge, MA; 02138 Educators for Social Respons~bility (ESR) is a national organization of teachers, administrators, and parents concerned about nuclear war·. Their expressed purpose is to promote educating for a world free from the threat of nuclear destruction. A network of 85 local chapters across the U.S. support the development of educational projects which , present a variety of views on the arm$ race. A national resource center supports teacher training and curriculum develop-
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