The Other Side

Based on the 2001 watercolor picture book by author Jacqueline Woodson and illustrator E.B. Lewis, this iconographic-animated adaptation features narration by Toshi Widoff-Woodson and music by Toshi Reagon. The Other Side tells the story of a young black girl named Clover, who has long been cautioned by her mother not to climb a fence dividing their land from white neighbors. One day, a white girl from the other side wants to play, but Clover's friends dissuade her. Conflicted, Clover often watches the girl as she amuses herself by splashing in puddles and the like, until the time the girl sits on the fence and Clover's curiosity gets the best of her. How easily Clover and new pal Annie make friends somewhat surprises them, and they come to wonder what might happen if “somebody knocks this old fence down.” DVD extras include a read-along option and an interview with Woodson. A solid tale of friendship budding in an atmosphere of prejudice, this is recommended. Aud: K, E, P. (J. Williams-Wood)