Child Magazine - November 2002

Spike Lee’s Latest Chapter

The provocative filmmaker turns a new page with Please, Baby, Please, his children’s book with wife Tonya Lewis Lee.

A sweet, whimsical children’s book might not be what you’d expect as a Spike Lee project. But this month, the director and his wife, Tonya Lewis Lee, parents of Satchel, 7, and Jackson, 5, publish Please, Baby, Please, a lyrical look at a cheerful mischievous 2-year-old.

While Spike is best known for such groundbreaking movies as Do the Right Thing, he’s long been involved in kid’s causes, including the I Am Your Child Foundation, which focuses on early childhood development, and War Child, an international aid organization. Tonya, a writer and producer, develops multicultural projects with her Madstone Company, Inc. They spoke with Child about parenthood, values, and crayons in the VCR.

What made you decide to write Please, Baby, Please?

Tonya: We wrote the book when our youngest child was 2 and we were experiencing the day-to-day struggles and challenges and joys of having an energetic toddler. We spoke to other parents and, happily, learned that we weren’t the only ones going through those things. And we thought it would be great to write a book about a day in the life of a 2-year-old.

Spike: This was a time when we were looking for picture books for our kids, and we had a hard time finding books with images of people that looked like our children. The lack of African-American children and families in preschool literature profoundly moved us to write the book. We felt a responsibility to create something positive for children and parents to share.

What What were some books you liked to read to your children?

Tonya: We read Goodnight Moon; “More, More, More,” Said the Baby by Vera B. Williams; all the Ezra Jack Keats books.

Spike: Where the Wild Things Are Shel Silverstein.

How were Satchel and Jackson different as toddlers?

Tonya: Satchel was always a more even-keeled child than Jackson. I remember one time she tried to have a temper tantrum on me – one time. She threw herself on the floor. I just looked at her and said, “Well, you can stay there if you want.” I think she figured, “Well, this isn’t going to work, so why ever do it again?” Don’t get me wrong, she had her antics – she’s the one who put the crayons in the VCR at one point.

What values do you try to instill in your children?

Tonya: I want them to be confident and honest and to expect honesty from others, to be generally good, productive people.

Spike: I want them not to be scared. To be fearless and not worry about peer pressure. I just hope that whatever they want to do, they’ll go ahead and do it.