Nadvia Davis’: Grant Practices Math With Manners

GRANT PRACTICES MATH WITH MANNERS

By Nadvia Davis

There can never be enough children’s books featuring African American characters, especially in today’s climate. They can be fun, they can teach life lessons/skills, they can do both. For Black boys, it is crucial that they see themselves in books, which will in turn improve their reading skills. That being said, I am happy to bring to you Nadvia Davis’ Grant Practices Math With Manners.

Our story opens with Grant and his mother shopping at the grocery store. With money from his piggy bank, Grant buys his favorite cereal. After giving his mother the receipt, she notices that an error was made in the amount of change he received and does the math with Grant.

She encourages Grant to go back to the cashier and explain, and to do so with good manners. At first Grant is nervous about it, but Mom tells him she’ll support him if he is struggling. He repeats a mantra, “Manners in mind, always be kind.” Thus, Grant is able to explain the matter to the cashier using his manners.

Wonderfully illustrated by George Franco, Davis’ work has several life lessons along with the practical skills of math. In spite of the negative examples fed to us by certain media, good manners carry a person much farther in life, as does a positive attitude, and it is never too early to teach them. Also, though he was nervous, Grant grasped the courage to speak up, knowing that his mother had his back. Inspired by her nephew, Davis’ book is another jewel that belongs in our personal libraries.

Grant Practices Math With Manners is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, the Minnesota Black Authors Expo website (mnblackauthorsexpo.com), and Strive Bookstore in Minneapolis.

Thank you, Nadvia, for giving us great examples of teachable moments with our children!