Wormhead 2006
Distributed by KoolKidz Television and Publishing LLC
Produced by Rich McKeown
Directed by Manauvaskar Kublall
DVD, color, 13 min.
K-3
African American Studies, Child Development, Children's Literature, Storytelling
Date Entered: 07/14/2006
Reviewed by Susanne Boatright, Library, Blue River Community College, one of the Metropolitan Community Colleges, Kansas City, MOThis is a story about Jesse, an African American girl who is entering the second grade, and her friends Terry and Anne and the new girl, Nia. Nia is different. Nia does not braid her hair like Jesse and her friends. Nia wears her hair in dreadlocks. But Jesse and Terry and Anne do not know anything about dreadlocks. They think Nia’s ringlets look like worms.
Jesse’s friends are suspicious of Nia because she is different. It is only when Jesse, acting upon her father’s advice, stands up for Nia that Terry and Anne and the rest of the second grade class realize that Nia is just like them. She has to practice the piano and brush her teeth and do her chores every day just like they do.
Drawings by Stella McKeown and music by Richard McKeown blend with Zoelle Maurer’s narration to produce an insightful short film for children in the primary grades. The colorful artwork is most effective when it is displayed against a black background. Its brilliance is sometimes lost against other backgrounds. The narration is soothing, but somewhat monotonous.
These drawbacks aside, the film is short and simple, just the right length to discuss prejudice with first, second and third graders. The bonus feature at the end is a short history of dreadlocks, how they are styled and the countries where they are and have been worn. It is both illuminating and informative. It was an excellent idea for the filmmakers to include it.
This film is a recommended choice for Story Hour at the public library. It is also suitable for showing to children in first, second or third grade classes at the elementary school.