A New Barker in the House (Barker Twins)
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As a child growing up in the 1970s, I adored Tomie dePaola's work. So when I had children of my own, I was eager to rediscover dePaola, hoping that he had created more gems in the intervening years. I was surprised to discover how prolific dePaola had been. By now he'd produced more than 200 books, including five autobiographical chapter books, the Strega Nona stories, and the Barker series, featuring a family of Welsh terriers: Mama, Papa, and twins Moffat and Morgan.
At the beginning of A New Barker in the House, Moffat and Morgan are told that soon they will have a new brother. This is not another "there's a baby on the way" story, though – the Barkers' new brother is a three-year-old boy who speaks only Spanish.
While Moffat and Morgan are initially overjoyed, a few difficulties ensue once Marcos arrives. Moffat seems to think he's another doll to add to her collection, and asks if he can sleep in the doll's carriage. Meanwhile Morgan would prefer Marcos to sleep in his room, in the dinosaur cave with the other toy dinosaurs.
The next day is just as tricky. When Moffie and Morgie share their sugary cereal, Marcos spits it out–though he's happy when Mama gives him food he's used to (much healthier than what the twins are eating, needless to say). By the end of the story, Moffie and Morgie have stopped treating Markie like a plaything, and started respecting what he likes to do. In return he calls them "Hermana – sister. Hermano – brother," prompting Mama and Papa to add, "Familia – FAMILY!"
I'm all for unrealistic resolutions in children's storiesÂ…but I like the beginning to at least hint at the actual scope of the problem. In A New Barker, dePaola completely ignores the everyday jealousy found in all families, whether biological, adoptive, blended, or all of the above. The twins' unqualified excitement at Marcos' arrival – no feelings of ambivalence, no wondering how a three-year-old stranger will change the family–simply isn't convincing. (My older brother's reaction to my adoption is surely much more typical: "You mean we're going to keep her?")
While dePaola's work could never be described as dark, his earlier stories were braver and more honest when dealing with complicated issues. For example, the clearly autobiographical picture book Oliver Button Is a Sissy (1979) ends happily, but doesn't gloss over the painful teasing that kids who are "different" often experience. In contrast A New Barker never lets any real problems surface, and the tiny ones that do are resolved just two days after Markie's arrival.
The book features several words in Spanish -- pelota, ball; conejito, bunny; juego, play –- that children will enjoy learning. As a bilingual text, A New Barker works fine. It just isn't a very informed or realistic portrayal of adoption.
