Elementary Library

Resource & Discussion Guide

Parker Looks Up: An Extraordinary Moment by Parker Curry & Jessica Curry (E CUR) When Parker Curry came face-to-face with Amy Sherald's transcendent portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama ... She saw dynamic self-assurance. She saw truth and beauty. She saw a queen. But most importantly, Parker saw Her hopes. Her dreams, Her power. Her promise. Herself Discussion prompts: ●​ What else does Parker love in addition to the museum? (page 5) ●​ How do Parker, Gia and Ava feel about the fish in the picture they are looking at? (page 17) ●​ Who is Michelle Obama? (page 26) Explain that Michelle Obama, a Black woman and wife of Barack Obama, the first Black President, was the first Black First Lady. ●​ What is it like in the museum? What do Parker, Gia and Ava see? ●​ What is your favorite painting that they see? What do you like about it? ●​ Have you ever visited a museum? What was it like? What did you see? ●​ When Parker sees the painting of Michelle Obama, why do you think she “froze in her tracks?” What do you think she is feeling and thinking? ●​ Why do you think that Parker notes that Michelle Obama has “rich brown skin” just like her? Why is that important? Have you ever had an experience like that? ●​ What are some of the words Parker’s mother uses to describe Michelle Obama? What words do you know and what do they mean? ●​ What is a role model? What is it like when you see yourself in someone else? Wat Kept Playing: The Inspiring Story of Wataru Misaka and His Rise to the NBA by Emily Inouye Huey (796.3 HUE) This picture book biography about Asian American basketball [player] Wataru Misaka will inspire young readers to challenge barriers and dream big. As the child of Japanese immigrants, Wataru "Wat" Misaka often felt like he didn't fully belong in either Japanese or American culture. He was sometimes excluded, treated differently, and bullied, even though he was born in the United States. As he grew up, however, Wat discovered he had a very special talent for playing basketball... Wat's undeniable talent changed history as he became the first person of color to play in the NBA Discussion prompts: ●​ What were some of the challenges Wat faced to play basketball? How did he overcome them? ●​ Wat identified with two cultures, Japanese and American. Do you have more than one identity? Do they fit together easily? How do you blend many cultures together? ●​ What happened to Japanese people in the United States during World War II? Why did this happen? ●​ How did media affect people’s view of Wat? ●​ What are some of the character traits that helped Wat be successful?

63