What happens when a young boy who loves to knit refuses to let peer influence stop him? Author Craig Pomranz talks with The Good Men Project about the inspiration behind Made by Raffi.
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For anyone in search of an inspirational children’s book, look no further. Made by Raffi, written by Craig Pomranz, is the story of a young boy who likes to knit. Predictably, his fellow classmates at school are not initially supportive. But Raffi sticks with it, and is richly rewarded for remaining true to himself.
I’ve had the honor of interviewing author Craig Pomranz. His answers and explanation about the inspiration behind Made by Raffi should convince any fence-sitters that this is a book well worth the buying:
You dedicate the book to the “real” Raffi, and it is based on an actual incident. But I was wondering if you yourself ever experienced some form or other of bullying, and if you think bullying itself has changed in recent years?
I don’t know anyone who hasn’t been teased for being different at some time in their life. Being a professional child actor in St. Louis, Missouri from an Orthodox Jewish community, there were many challenges for me. Even so, my passion for what I was doing outweighed the negative comments – not that they didn’t bother me when I heard them. I was also teased for my lack of interest in sports, but ultimately I was vindicated.
My high school had a highly regarded competitive choir. Our director was able to recruit much-needed male singers, and after I joined he persuaded several guys from the football team and other jocks to audition. They ended up bringing their competitive instincts to their singing, with great results. Music is so powerful! Creating sound and working so closely to harmonize helped us find an understanding that crossed social lines. It was enormously satisfying to sing with those who may have teased me for singing when I was little.
Has bullying changed? The reasons and effects remain the same, but now there are more powerful methods of communication. The use of social media has raised the stakes, as a thoughtless remark can reach the entire school and beyond with the push of a button.
One of my favorite lines in the book is when Raffi wonders if he might be a “Tomgirl.” I love that term, as it captures the wonderful imagination of Raffi, but also just of children – their ability to coopt language and use it in these new and creative ways. Do you think there is a space in our schools for “Tomgirls?”
The day the real Raffi coined the term “Tomgirl” was the day I decided to write the book. I immediately thought, why is this word so powerful and yet it immediately sounds negative? A tomboy is basically a positive idea: a young girl who is perhaps assertive, athletic, interested in traditionally male activities. In our misogynistic society, however, a boy wanting to participate in girls’ hobbies is judged harshly! You ask if there is space for Tomgirls, and I certainly hope there is space for all sorts of people. The Internet permits boys and girls with unusual hobbies to find others who share their interests. This helps to know you are not alone, and I hope additionally it will give them the confidence to be themselves!
One thing I found myself considering was that, historically speaking, many of the most prominent fashion designers have been men. Charles Frederick Worth was the first designer to sew his “label” into the clothing he made. Several notable contemporary fashion leaders – Giorgio Armani, Tom Ford, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein – are obviously male. So I wonder if you have any thoughts on why our society would view knitting is as “girly” or “weird” for a boy?
I totally agree with you. Prominent male figures dominate many occupations that are usually considered female roles. Successful male chefs are role models, and yet the idea of a boy taking home economics, or even cooking at home, still sometimes raises eyebrows. The same is true for fashion designers, as you point out. The sad truth is that if you are able to achieve financial success in an activity, it suddenly becomes appropriate for men. Knitting and sewing for fun, however, still seem to be primarily female activities. Obviously there are men, and groups of men, who knit and sew, but for the most part it is still viewed as a “homebody’s” craft. Again, I see hope that rigid conformity is slowly releasing its grip.
Raffi’s parents are wonderfully supportive of his inimitable self. Did you write this with a message also in mind for parents?
You discovered my secret – yes, it is an entertaining children’s book, but in fact I wrote it to help parents and teachers! I have found that even the most open-minded and evolved parents hesitate when it comes to their own children. They allow non-traditional behavior and hobbies in the home, but, perhaps understandably, they seek to protect their child from the bullying that could result from pursuing those interests in public. This of course sends another negative message. But Raffi’s parents don’t run to tell the teacher that he is being teased on the bus, they simply encourage Raffi to find his own way, trust his own decisions, and they emphasize that they love him unconditionally. You can’t protect your child from everything, nor should you. Helping a child become more self-assured so they are not a victim – THAT is a goal I embrace. I hope that this approach is subtly encouraged in “Made by Raffi.”
I love that the other children in the book, who are initially skeptical and even rude to Raffi, embrace his unique interest in knitting by the end. Are there ways you see for schools, and communities, to give “the different” one among us an opportunity to be more included?
Oh yes. Isn’t it always the unknown that makes everyone nervous? Instead of disciplining kids for teasing, teachers could ask the one being teased to share his or her interests. If we can actually engage with each other and see that these differences are what make us unique, it is easier to be inclusive. The children in the book find out how Raffi fits into their world, even if it is in a more non-traditional way than they are used to.
What have been some of the responses you’ve had to Made by Raffi?
I have been overwhelmed and deeply moved by the lovely notes and photos of little boys with their sewing and knitting projects. The book has been translated into 8 languages so I get messages from all over the world. I have not received any negative responses. However, one editor wrote me to say that he loved the book but felt it was too controversial for his Southern town to write about it. How sad is that? One of the first messages was from a man in Istanbul who wrote: “Today I enjoyed to preorder your beautiful and meaningful children book for my cousin. Especially here in Turkey we need to learn respect to the one who is different than us. Thanks for your effort to make the world a better place to live.” One little girl in Korea drew a picture of how she thought Raffi’s cape should look. She didn’t like the colors and thought the design needed buttons – that is the kind of criticism I welcome! No comment whatsoever on the fact that he was a boy knitting.
What’s next for you as a writer? Any future books we should be watching out for? And are there any other books you’d recommend that also help kids accept their own differences, and embrace the differences in others?
I have several books in the works, all seeking to empower children. The next one deals with body image. I am also very excited to be releasing a song “Different” that was inspired by “Made by Raffi.” My friends, composers Amanda McBroom (Bette Midler’s award winning song “The Rose”) and Michele Brourman (The Land Before Time), wrote the song and I provide the vocals. You can download it now from iTunes here: Different
Regarding finding good books, “We Need Diverse Books” and the Society of Children Book Writers and Illustrators has resources listed. My publisher, Quarto, has several children’s book imprints, including Janetta Otter-Barry books which focus on diversity. I recently received a wonderful book “The Great Big Book of Families” from my friends authors Mary Hoffman and Ros Asquith.
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Craig Pomranz is an internationally known singer/song-stylist, actor and author. His first children’s book, Made By Raffi, is published in eight languages and eleven countries thus far, by UK Publisher Frances Lincoln. You can find out more at Craig’s website: www.craigpomranz.com
Inspired by Made by Raffi friends and composers Amanda McBroom (Bette Midler’s “The Rose”) and Michele Brourman (The Land Before Time) have written the song “Different” to be released this year.
Made by Raffi can be found on Amazon and Barnes and Noble
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The post The Children’s Book for Our Future Men: Made by Raffi appeared first on The Good Men Project.