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Spike and Tonya Lee Discuss Their New Children's Book
Filed under: Books for Kids, Celeb News & Interviews
Spike and Tonya Lee have written a new children's book. Credit: Bryan Bedder, Getty Images
Among others, we're reminded of Albert Einstein, who had a "hard time learning to read, but whose theories became the basis for most of modern science," and Muhammad Ali, "the heavyweight champion who refused to pick up a gun against a fellow human being."
The Lees have been married since 1993, are parents to 16-year-old daughter, Satchel, and 13-year-old son, Jackson. They recently spoke with ParentDish about the book and getting their son to read. An edited version of the interview follows.
ParentDish: How did this book come about?
Tonya Lewis Lee: There was an editor at Simon & Schuster, where Spike and I had written two other children's books, who suggested we do something using historical figures. So we brainstormed and decided we wanted to write something that inspired people, but also paid homage to those that came before us.
PD: Was it hard to whittle down the list?
Spike Lee: Couldn't have everybody, but a lot more people could have been in it if it was a bigger book.
PD: So, you can include them in the sequel.
SL: Depends on how many books are sold.
PD: Did you fight over who to include?
SL: No, we don't fight. Whatever she wants to do, we do.
PD: There is a real diversity in who is included.
TLL: I think all of us get inspiration from all kinds of people. I've personally been inspired by people of all races and nationalities. We need to give it up to everyone.
PD: You included Barack Obama. You know that could be considered controversial.
SL: Why?
PD: Well, there are a lot of tea partiers who hate him.
SL: Well, they aren't buying this book, anyway.
TLL: He's still an inspiration!
PD: You have a 13-year-old son. Is it hard to get him to read?
TLL: Yeah, it's tough because he doesn't like to read. I know people are doing books for boys, but somehow it's just hard to get their attention. I find my son likes nonfiction a little bit. I just made him go through Amazon and find something he wanted to read and he came up with, "Sh*t My Dad Says." At least it's something.
PD: Would you care if he read comic books?
SL: I wish he would read comic books.
PD: My son loves your book "Please, Baby, Please."
TLL: At the time we embarked on it, our son was about 2. He was in that phase where he was into everything. I was talking to other parents of children that age and I realized I was not the only one who was trying to keep up with this curious 2 year old. So we wanted to do a book about a day in the life of a curious, energetic 2 year old.
PD: Spike, you've been working on documentaries lately. Has that been a rewarding experience?
SL: Well, the subject matter is not enjoyable, but it's been fulfilling doing the films.
PD: Do you feel with documentaries you can really change policy and opinions?
SL: That's still up for debate.
TLL: But you have. With "4 Little Girls," they did get going on that trial and they bought people to justice. It had a real impact.
PD: Your kids are teenagers. Do you get a lot of eye rolling?
TLL: A little bit, yes, but we give it right back.
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ReaderComments (Page 2 of 2)
1-22-2011 @ 1:07PM
Goober said...For being so proud of his 'blackness', this over rated 'moviemaker' sure picked a light skinned girl....How does he have ANY street cred?
Reply
1-22-2011 @ 1:32PM
Tolerence said...Beautiful women love intelligent men, it's not all about looks and money. What's wrong with Spike loving the game of basketball. Any body with an ounce of common since knows that criminal justice system is biased and opportunities for Africans Americans in our urban communities are very limited. So many White Americans are in denial about the discrimination in America. But, without dialouge it can never be resolved. Just look at the lack of respect our African American president have recieved from some of his constituents.
Reply
1-22-2011 @ 1:39PM
Sylvia Navon said...I've never been a particular fan of Spike Lee because of his attitude.
But I think that some of the comments here are irrelevant. I took no interest in his work until I saw "Miracle at St. Anna." A filmmaker does take an active part in educating just by making meaningful movies. There is a scene when the soldiers, our American soldiers, are turned away from a "lunchroom" because they are black. Seated at another table are two German POW eating ice cream. Our soldiers who are about to go into combat in Europe are furious. They leave and then come back with their weapons. That gets them service. I loved that scene because it showed very directly the way German POW were viewed in the internment camps in the South, and what nauseating crap was spewed in the face of members of our armed forces, before they left to fight and when they came back. The white owner was just another Nazi racist, who was conditioned to and needed to feel superior to someone. For years I knew about this situation because I read a lot about WW 2, but I had never seen it portrayed in an American movie. There are other examples in the movie of the way black soldiers were treated once they did get into combat which deserve our attention. I admire and support Spike Lee for communicating this history in the most effective modern medium, in a movie. Life is very complex, but those scenes were simple, about simple human inadequacy and male hubris. Thank you, Mr. Lee, enjoy your basketball games!
Reply
1-22-2011 @ 1:40PM
gerbersmail said...Hey Spike....you are a "nobody" racist with no talent. No one wants to read anything you have to say. Stick to what you're good at. Being "blackballed" (no pun intended) by the Hollywood Industry bigwigs for your lack of talent and racist point of views and showing up at Laker games just to be noticed. You are a non-entity! DEAL WITH IT!
Reply
1-22-2011 @ 1:50PM
vanwags03 said...Hey Spike your always pissing and moaning about whitey, I see you went and married a high yellow. How much closer to a whitey could you get!!!!!!
Reply
1-22-2011 @ 2:03PM
Tammy said...TLL does some good work on social issues, but my professional organization asked her to speak at an event and she took about 5 months to say "no". It would have been more polite, professional and considerate for her to say "no" in maybe 1 or 2 months instead of 5.
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