Title: I don't recommend this book.
Product review: I saw this book on my parents' bookshelf, so I happily picked it up to read it to my 3-yr old son. Big mistake. The book could best be described as a period piece that, while charmingly illustrated, goes to lengths to show the inherent cruelty of prejudice. Lyle encounters a girl who hates him and leaves him vicious hate mail. In the end, Lyle saves her life and she grows to understand and love him. My problem with the book is two-fold: First, the hatred she feels for Lyle is way over the top for my son to hear. It's just way too ugly for him to comprehend at this age. Second, I have a problem with the victim having to prove himself to the hater. It seems to me that the victim shouldn't have to redeem himself or prove his worth in any way. The entire premise is that people who are hated need to find a way to be loved and that's just wrong. It's the haters who need to change. The book's lesson is not about tolerance; it's about appeasement.
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