Less Than Half, More Than Whole [Hardcover]

Kathleen Lacapa (Author), Michael Lacapa (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1994 | Age Level: 5 and up

Tony notices that his skin is darker than yellow-haired, blue-eyed Scott's, but lighter than that of his Native American friend, Will. A well-designed effort, this title is for all children of multicultural marriages who struggle to find an identity. It serves not only to illuminate Indian culture, but also as a gentle celebration of mixed heritage.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-Tony notices that his skin is darker than yellow-haired, blue-eyed Scott's, but lighter than that of his Native American friend, Will. Will's explanation that Tony is half or "less than half" of each culture does not satisfy him. Questioning his aunt, his brother and sister, and his uncle, the boy strives to understand his heritage. Each person offers him a wise answer, but it is his Native American grandfather who helps him see that Tony reflects all the colors of his family, and is "more than whole." Michael Lacapa has used traditional Indian designs in his beautifully stylized gouache and pen-and-ink illustrations; their derivation is explained at the book's end, along with Indian beliefs and terms incorporated into the text. A well-designed effort, this title is for all children of multicultural marriages who struggle to find an identity. It serves not only to illuminate Indian culture, but also as a gentle celebration of mixed heritage.
Judy Constantinides, East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Rising Moon; 1st edition (October 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873585925
• ISBN-13: 978-0873585927
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 9.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,673,682 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book to help children deal with mixed heritages, June 25, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Marysville, Washington) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Less Than Half, More Than Whole (Paperback)

I teach at a public school on a Native American reservation. I read this book to my students every year. The book deals frankly, in a way even young children can understand, with the issues of mixed heritage. I recommend this book to all teachers regardless of your population. Using the illustration of the multicolored indian corn the author helps us see the beauty in all colors of skin, eyes and hair. The book makes all my kids, European American, Native, African American, Asian American and the mixed rainbow of us all feel like we belong together.

5.0 out of 5 stars Less Than Half, More Than Whole, September 2, 2005

By 

B. Goodnight (Arizona) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Less Than Half, More Than Whole (Hardcover)

This was a cute children's story, with wonderful drawings. There are many children that are not all one race, and this story lets them know that they are still whole and complete children with a mixture of good from all sides of their families. The grandfather in the story is naturally so full of wisdom.

I enjoyed it from a grandparent perspective, and would recommend it to my grandchildren or other children any time.