Prequel To Abiyoyo
Reimagining Children’s Stories Teaches Empathy and Problem Resolution
By: Sarah Mouracade
Illustration by Michael Hayes
“He had sharp fingernails ‘cause he never cut ’em,” my 3-year-old son, Gabriel, crooned. “He had slobbery teeth ’cause he never brushed ’em.”
I chuckled. “Who did, sweetheart?”
“Happy Yoyo!”
“Who’s that?”
Gabriel exhaled. “A big, mean giant!”
Usually Gabriel has such a knack for telling stories, but this time he’d confused me. “Did you learn about him in preschool?”
“Yes, I did,” Gabriel said, nodding and smiling.
A few days later, I asked his teacher about this character. She told me that Pete Seeger had written a book called Abiyoyo, based off a South African folktale. That made much more sense than a huge, happy yoyo.
Gabriel and I decided to go to the library to borrow the book. As I put him to bed that night, we cuddled and began reading it. Gabriel knew many phrases, and I realized his teacher must have read it several times in class. Eventually we arrived where the narrator introduces Abiyoyo.
“The old people used to tell stories about the giants that lived in the old days. They used to tell about a giant called Abiyoyo,” I turned the pages, continuing to read. “Women screamed. Strong men fainted. ‘Run for your lives! Abiyoyo’s coming!’ ”
“Mommy,” Gabriel interrupted, “why were people afraid of him?”
He’d asked questions like this before. I’d been stumped. Then I learned how to help Gabriel understand, in age appropriate ways, why some people make hurtful decisions. Now, I could navigate these questions.
“I’m not sure, sweetheart,” I said. “Why do you think?”
Trying to understand “bad guys” doesn’t mean the bad guys are off the hook for poor choices, but it does mean children can realize how anyone, especially themselves, can develop certain reputations or instincts.
“Abiyoyo was scary ‘cause he lost his family,” Gabriel suggested.
I followed his lead and helped Gabriel concoct a prequel. We imagined Abiyoyo was different than the giants he lived with in a forest – smaller, kinder and still a child, even though he didn’t look like it. Gabriel said the other kids ignored Abiyoyo. So he chased a butterfly out of their woodlands, got lost, and couldn’t find his way home.
Research indicates creating backstories for “bad guys,” kind of like Disney’s Maleficent or the novel/musical Wicked, is good for children. According to neuroscientist Paul Zak, our brains release oxytocin when we hear compelling stories. It’s a chemical that helps us connect with people and promotes empathy. Instead of being afraid or naively trusting of strangers, kids can learn through storytelling to strike a balance in how they think about others.
Another researcher, Gwen Dewar, summarizes studies related to the impacts of storytelling. She notes two outcomes: Children learn to be empathetic, while still being vigilant of their safety, and they also learn how to resolve problems. If kids can think about how an event transpired, they can figure out solutions about how to fix it or do it differently.
“That’s why he didn’t have his toothbrush,” Gabriel reasoned, since Abiyoyo was lost.
“Good point.” I marveled at his explanation. “I bet his nails were long because he didn’t have his clippers too.” I paused. “Should we keep reading, or is there more we should know about Abiyoyo?”
“Keep reading,” Gabriel said.
We made it a few more pages, nearing the end of the book.
“People looked out their windows,” I read. “‘He’s gone! Abiyoyo’s disappeared!’”
“Mommy?”
“Yes?” I wrapped my arm tighter around him.
“I think when he disappeared, Abiyoyo got sent back to his mommy.”
“And she cut his fingernails,” I said, “and brushed his teeth.”
“And Abiyoyo didn’t scare anyone ever again.”
I kissed his forehead. “I bet you’re right, Gabriel.”