BIBLIOGRAPHY
Wong, Janet S. 2000. NIGHT GARDEN/POEMS FROM THE WORLD OF DREAMS. Illustrator Julie Paschkis. New York, New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0689826176
PLOT SUMMARY
This is not a book with a plot but rather a theme about dreams and in particular dreams of the night. In other words, a book about dreams we dream while sleeping not while we are daydreaming. The collection of fifteen poems run the gamut from the unusual to the sweet and loving to the bizarre. Eventhough the fifteen poems are on a variety topics the one thing that twines them together is the fact that all address various issues that we all deal with no matter our age or status in life.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This book holds meaning for readers for all of ages but particularly for children. The vivid emotions, experiences, and imagery that Ms. Wong brings to the written word takes the poem to new heights and helps young children deal with all the mixed-up, funny, unusual, and scary thoughts and feelings they have about life that come out through dreaming.
The writing is in free-verse form and the collection of poems as a whole as well as the each poem individually are in consonance with each other. Ms. Wong and Ms. Paschkis work well together as a team as is evidenced in the poem entitled Talking in Her Sleep which states in part "....red in the face like a tomato" and Ms. Paschkis water color illustration shows a girl in her nightgown with a big red tomato for a head. In The Ones They Loved the Most Ms. Wong presents us with her skill of using simile when she states that "...and those sweet memories will stick like cotton candy." And of course we cannot complete a review of a book by Ms. Wong without mentioning the use she makes of the five senses. The reader cannot help but see, smell, hear, taste, and touch the stream and fish in their mind's eye while enjoying the poem Gently Down the Stream.
REVIEW EXCERPT
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Even poems about nightmares and anxieties are couched in gentle language that evokes wonder and thoughtfulness rather than fear."
CONNECTIONS
Other books of poetry by Janet S. Wong include:
KNOCK ON WOOD: POEMS ABOUT SUPERSTITIONS ISBN 0689855125
TWIST: YOGA POEMS ISBN 0689873948 (Ms. Paschkis illustrated this one)
THE RAINBOW HAND: POEMS ABOUT MOTHERS AND CHILDREN ISBN 0689821484
A few other books where Julie Paschkis is the illustrator include:
HAPPY ADOPTION DAY ISBN 0316603236
GLASS SLIPPER, GOLD SANDAL: A WORLDWIDE CINDERELLA
ISBN 080507953X
THROUGH GEORGIA'S EYES ISBN 0805077405
Friday, September 28, 2007
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
WHAT MY MOTHER DOESN'T KNOW
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Sones, Sonya. 2001. WHAT MY MOTHER DOESN'T KNOW. New York, New York.
ISBN 0689841140
PLOT SUMMARY
This is a novel for youth written in poetry, verse, form. It is the story of Sophie a seventeen year old girl that is dealing with life and all 0f the issues facing teenagers during this day and age. Her parents are unhappy with each other, fight all the time, are rarely together, don't pay much attention to her, and would be better off divorced according to Sophie. Sophie and her two best friends Rachel and Grace are like any other teenager who are consumed by the issues of acne, boyfriends, sex, and fitting in with their peers.
In the beginning of the story Sophie is head-over-heels in love with a popular and cute boy at her school named Dylan. Then one night at a Halloween dance she meets a masked boy and dances the night away with him. Later through several events that bring her together with the "masked man" she learns who he is--not Dylan but the biggest geek and most unpopular boy in school by the name of Murphy, but who's called Robin by his parents. However, by this time she is so smitten with Robin this doesn't bother except for the fact that she doesn't know how to explain this to her two best friends and not become the laughing stock of the school. One day at school in the cafeteria she finally decides to do what she knows she should have been doing all along-she plops herself down across from Robin, who is sitting all alone in a corner of the room, and takes his hand in hers.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Sones does a great job of capturing the essence and struggles of being a teenager. While the novel is written as poetry and each poem is a story in itself in order for the reader to really get a feel for the characters it is better to read the novel from cover to cover. Each verse has a title that expertly sums up the thoughts and feelings of the poem. Teenagers that read the book will be able to relate to characters because they are so true to life and adults will conjure up all the memories, good and bad, of adolesence and the trials and tribulations of being a teenager in love.
Teenagers will certainly identify with all the poems in the book but one in particular the girls will relate to as they are experiencing their first love and the "magic" of kissing their first boyfriend is the poem Distracted in Math Class which reads as follows: "All I have to do/is close my eyes/and I can feel his lips,/the way they felt/that very first time./I can feel the heat of them,/parting just slightly,/brushing across my cheek,/moving closer/and closer still/to my mouth,/till I can hardly breathe,/hardly bear to wait/for them to press onto mine./All I have to do/is close my eyes." Sones is truly a master at getting teenagers involved in her books and even grasping the attention of the reluctant reader. Because the story in written in poetry form even the struggling readers can enjoy the book through reading each poem at their own speed and not feeling overwhelmed at having to read many pages in order to grasp the feelings, mood, and personalities of the characters in the story.
REVIEW EXCERPT
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL:"Sones is a bright, perceptive writer who digs deeply into her protagonist's soul."
CONNECTIONS
Other novels by Sones include
The sequel to this novel WHAT MY GIRLFRIEND DOESN'T KNOW ISBN 0689876025
ONE OF THOSE HIDEOUS BOOKS WHERE THE MOTHER DIES ISBN 1416907882
STOP PRETENDING: WHAT HAPPENED WHEN MY BIG SISTER WENT CRAZY
ISBN 0064462188
Sones, Sonya. 2001. WHAT MY MOTHER DOESN'T KNOW. New York, New York.
ISBN 0689841140
PLOT SUMMARY
This is a novel for youth written in poetry, verse, form. It is the story of Sophie a seventeen year old girl that is dealing with life and all 0f the issues facing teenagers during this day and age. Her parents are unhappy with each other, fight all the time, are rarely together, don't pay much attention to her, and would be better off divorced according to Sophie. Sophie and her two best friends Rachel and Grace are like any other teenager who are consumed by the issues of acne, boyfriends, sex, and fitting in with their peers.
In the beginning of the story Sophie is head-over-heels in love with a popular and cute boy at her school named Dylan. Then one night at a Halloween dance she meets a masked boy and dances the night away with him. Later through several events that bring her together with the "masked man" she learns who he is--not Dylan but the biggest geek and most unpopular boy in school by the name of Murphy, but who's called Robin by his parents. However, by this time she is so smitten with Robin this doesn't bother except for the fact that she doesn't know how to explain this to her two best friends and not become the laughing stock of the school. One day at school in the cafeteria she finally decides to do what she knows she should have been doing all along-she plops herself down across from Robin, who is sitting all alone in a corner of the room, and takes his hand in hers.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Sones does a great job of capturing the essence and struggles of being a teenager. While the novel is written as poetry and each poem is a story in itself in order for the reader to really get a feel for the characters it is better to read the novel from cover to cover. Each verse has a title that expertly sums up the thoughts and feelings of the poem. Teenagers that read the book will be able to relate to characters because they are so true to life and adults will conjure up all the memories, good and bad, of adolesence and the trials and tribulations of being a teenager in love.
Teenagers will certainly identify with all the poems in the book but one in particular the girls will relate to as they are experiencing their first love and the "magic" of kissing their first boyfriend is the poem Distracted in Math Class which reads as follows: "All I have to do/is close my eyes/and I can feel his lips,/the way they felt/that very first time./I can feel the heat of them,/parting just slightly,/brushing across my cheek,/moving closer/and closer still/to my mouth,/till I can hardly breathe,/hardly bear to wait/for them to press onto mine./All I have to do/is close my eyes." Sones is truly a master at getting teenagers involved in her books and even grasping the attention of the reluctant reader. Because the story in written in poetry form even the struggling readers can enjoy the book through reading each poem at their own speed and not feeling overwhelmed at having to read many pages in order to grasp the feelings, mood, and personalities of the characters in the story.
REVIEW EXCERPT
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL:"Sones is a bright, perceptive writer who digs deeply into her protagonist's soul."
CONNECTIONS
Other novels by Sones include
The sequel to this novel WHAT MY GIRLFRIEND DOESN'T KNOW ISBN 0689876025
ONE OF THOSE HIDEOUS BOOKS WHERE THE MOTHER DIES ISBN 1416907882
STOP PRETENDING: WHAT HAPPENED WHEN MY BIG SISTER WENT CRAZY
ISBN 0064462188
Monday, September 24, 2007
AND THE GREEN GRASS GREW ALL AROUND
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Schwartz, Alvin, 1992. AND THE GREEN GRASS GREW ALL AROUND. Ill. by Sue Truesdell. New York: Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN:0060227583
PLOT SUMMARY
There is not a plot to this book. This a collection of folk poetry that Schwartz has gathered from numerous children, librarians, and teachers. Schwartz has divided the poetry into 15 different and unique sections. For example, the first three sections deal with people, food, and school. Section six deals with love and marriage while section 14 deals with animals and other insects. He has even dedicated a section to poetry that did not fit into any of the other areas and simply labels it "other things." Schwartz has done extensive research and provides the reader with another fifteen rhymes in the "notes" section which details the "folk poets and folk poetry, street rhymes, nursery rhymes, paradoies, autograph rhymes, nonsense verse, and other subjects." Finally, Schwartz has a "sources" area that gives information about where each of the poems originated from and any other pertient details about each. He has included details such variants of the poem he chose for his collection, other spellings for the title of the poem like on page 104 where the poem is entitled "Sasparilla" but the standard spelling is "Sarsaparilla."
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Schwartz has done extensive research to create a collection of folk poetry that will delight children and adults alike. Many of the poems lend themselves especially well to being jump-roped to-a lost art-that can be renewed to help children get active and moving again. What a wonderful way to incorporate physical activity with memorization. He gives new meaning to the term "an old beloved tune." To the tune of The Star-Spangled Banner we now have the words "Oh, say, can you see
Any begbugs on me?
If you do, pick a few,
And we'll have bedbug stew."
Truesdell's characters are either doing the action in the poem or "interpreting" the poem as to what it means to them. The illustrations will bring a smile to the face and put a song in the heart. The text and illustrations are a wonderful complement to each other.
REVIEW EXCERPT
School Library Journal:"A marvelous book that is sure to become a classic if children have any say in the matter."
CONNECTIONS:
A few other books written by Alvin Schwartz include:
SCARY STORIES 3: MORE TALES TO CHILL YOUR BONES ISBN 0060217944
THE CAT'S ELBOW: AND OTHER SECRET LANGUAGES ISBN 0374410542
WHOPPERS: TALL TALES AND OTHER LIES ISBN 0064460916
Schwartz, Alvin, 1992. AND THE GREEN GRASS GREW ALL AROUND. Ill. by Sue Truesdell. New York: Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN:0060227583
PLOT SUMMARY
There is not a plot to this book. This a collection of folk poetry that Schwartz has gathered from numerous children, librarians, and teachers. Schwartz has divided the poetry into 15 different and unique sections. For example, the first three sections deal with people, food, and school. Section six deals with love and marriage while section 14 deals with animals and other insects. He has even dedicated a section to poetry that did not fit into any of the other areas and simply labels it "other things." Schwartz has done extensive research and provides the reader with another fifteen rhymes in the "notes" section which details the "folk poets and folk poetry, street rhymes, nursery rhymes, paradoies, autograph rhymes, nonsense verse, and other subjects." Finally, Schwartz has a "sources" area that gives information about where each of the poems originated from and any other pertient details about each. He has included details such variants of the poem he chose for his collection, other spellings for the title of the poem like on page 104 where the poem is entitled "Sasparilla" but the standard spelling is "Sarsaparilla."
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Schwartz has done extensive research to create a collection of folk poetry that will delight children and adults alike. Many of the poems lend themselves especially well to being jump-roped to-a lost art-that can be renewed to help children get active and moving again. What a wonderful way to incorporate physical activity with memorization. He gives new meaning to the term "an old beloved tune." To the tune of The Star-Spangled Banner we now have the words "Oh, say, can you see
Any begbugs on me?
If you do, pick a few,
And we'll have bedbug stew."
Truesdell's characters are either doing the action in the poem or "interpreting" the poem as to what it means to them. The illustrations will bring a smile to the face and put a song in the heart. The text and illustrations are a wonderful complement to each other.
REVIEW EXCERPT
School Library Journal:"A marvelous book that is sure to become a classic if children have any say in the matter."
CONNECTIONS:
A few other books written by Alvin Schwartz include:
SCARY STORIES 3: MORE TALES TO CHILL YOUR BONES ISBN 0060217944
THE CAT'S ELBOW: AND OTHER SECRET LANGUAGES ISBN 0374410542
WHOPPERS: TALL TALES AND OTHER LIES ISBN 0064460916
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
ANANSI AND THE MOSS-COVERED ROCK
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Kimmel, Eric A. 1988. ANANSI AND THE MOSS-COVERED ROCK. ill. by Janet Stevens. New York:Holiday House. ISBN:082340689X
PLOT SUMMARY
Anansi is a spider and one day while walking through the forest comes upon a moss covered rock. Anansi is lazy and when he discovers that the rock has magic powers he decides to use its magic powers on some of the other animals in the forest to get all the food that they have worked so hard to gather. What Anansi hasn't realized is that the whole time he has played the same trick over and over on the animals that the deer has been watching in the background.
The deer decides that Anansi needs to learn a lesson so he devises a plan and through his wits outsmarts Anansi by having him say the magic words that knock the utterer of the magic words out for an hour. The deer tells the other animals what Anansi has been doing and they proceed to Anansi's house to retrieve their stolen items. As the story closes the reader learns that Anansi did not learn his lesson and is still trying to this day to get "something for nothing."
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This is a traditional fantasy that can be catagorized in several areas. As a folktale this tale can be called a cumulative tale because it starts, reaches a certain point, then starts over again and adds a new animal to the mix. The story links a chain of events that finally ends when the spider is slowed down by having his own trick played on him.
ANANSI AND THE MOSS-COVERED ROCK can also be considered a beast tale because the animals in the story have human-like qualities. They think, act, plan, and live as humans do. When it comes to idea of this story being a trickster tale this story fits perfectly into this category because Anansi is trying to outsmart the other animals but ends up getting caught in his own "trap." When reading this book to children they will soon catch on and be able at the appropriate places in the story to repeat the phrase of "isn't this a strange moss-covered rock" that gets the animals knocked out each time it is said.
REVIEW EXCERPT
School Library Journal:"The text is rhythmic, nicely building suspense to the inevitable conclusion. Stevens' complementary, colorful illustrations add detail, humor, and movement to the text."
CONNECTIONS
A few other books that have Anansi the spider as a central character are:
McDermott, Gerald. ANANSI THE SPIDER: A TALE FROM THE ASHANTI. ISBN:0805003118
Aardema, Verna. ANANSI DOES THE IMPOSSIBLE!: AN ASHANTI TALE. ISBN:0689839332
Kimmel, Eric A. ANANSI GOES FISHING. ISBN:0823410226
Kimmel, Eric A. 1988. ANANSI AND THE MOSS-COVERED ROCK. ill. by Janet Stevens. New York:Holiday House. ISBN:082340689X
PLOT SUMMARY
Anansi is a spider and one day while walking through the forest comes upon a moss covered rock. Anansi is lazy and when he discovers that the rock has magic powers he decides to use its magic powers on some of the other animals in the forest to get all the food that they have worked so hard to gather. What Anansi hasn't realized is that the whole time he has played the same trick over and over on the animals that the deer has been watching in the background.
The deer decides that Anansi needs to learn a lesson so he devises a plan and through his wits outsmarts Anansi by having him say the magic words that knock the utterer of the magic words out for an hour. The deer tells the other animals what Anansi has been doing and they proceed to Anansi's house to retrieve their stolen items. As the story closes the reader learns that Anansi did not learn his lesson and is still trying to this day to get "something for nothing."
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This is a traditional fantasy that can be catagorized in several areas. As a folktale this tale can be called a cumulative tale because it starts, reaches a certain point, then starts over again and adds a new animal to the mix. The story links a chain of events that finally ends when the spider is slowed down by having his own trick played on him.
ANANSI AND THE MOSS-COVERED ROCK can also be considered a beast tale because the animals in the story have human-like qualities. They think, act, plan, and live as humans do. When it comes to idea of this story being a trickster tale this story fits perfectly into this category because Anansi is trying to outsmart the other animals but ends up getting caught in his own "trap." When reading this book to children they will soon catch on and be able at the appropriate places in the story to repeat the phrase of "isn't this a strange moss-covered rock" that gets the animals knocked out each time it is said.
REVIEW EXCERPT
School Library Journal:"The text is rhythmic, nicely building suspense to the inevitable conclusion. Stevens' complementary, colorful illustrations add detail, humor, and movement to the text."
CONNECTIONS
A few other books that have Anansi the spider as a central character are:
McDermott, Gerald. ANANSI THE SPIDER: A TALE FROM THE ASHANTI. ISBN:0805003118
Aardema, Verna. ANANSI DOES THE IMPOSSIBLE!: AN ASHANTI TALE. ISBN:0689839332
Kimmel, Eric A. ANANSI GOES FISHING. ISBN:0823410226
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Review of BUBBA THE COWBOY PRINCE
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Title: BUBBA THE COWBOY PRINCE
Author: Ketteman, Helen
Illustrator: Warhola, James
Publisher and publication date: Scholastic Press, a division of Scholastic Inc., 1997
ISBN: 0-590-25506-1
PLOT SUMMARY:
BUBBA THE COWBOY PRINCE is a Texas version of the retelling of the Cinderella story. Bubba is cowboy who lives in Texas with his evil stepfather and two stepbrothers. The stepbrothers, Milton and Dwayne, get everything they want while Bubba is required to do all the house and ranch chores. One day, Miz Lurleen, a local wealthy and pretty rancher, decides to throw a ball in order to find herself a husband. While the stepfather and the sons leisurely prepare for the ball Bubba busily helps them get ready in addition to taking care of all of his other chores. After Bubba's family leaves he rides out into the pasture where he encounters his fairy godcow. She prepares him for Miz Lurleen's ball and when he arrives he and Miz Lurllen have a marvelous time dancing together. At the stroke of midnight he turns back into himself and while running off loses one of his dirty boots. The next day Miz Lurleen sets out looking for her cowboy prince. She finds him, Bubba tries on the boot which fits perfectly, she asks him to marry her, he accepts, and they live happily ever after.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
This story is a fractured fairy tale on the classic Cinderella story. This book provides insight into what life and language is like on a ranch. Some examples of life on the ranch are the descriptions of Bubba's chores as a "ranch hand" such as "breaking in" a new horse, rounding up cattle and reshoeing the horses. A few examples of the new vocabulary that can be learned that are "Texan" are feller, git them dogies, cowpatties, and gussied up.
Miz Lurleen is a wonderful role model for girls-an independent, think-for-yourself, successful type woman. The pictures which are oil on canvas help complement the text and make the characters and the story come to life. Each time the story is read new things are noticed. For example, the "fairy god cow" runs throughout the story and if close observation is made she can be seen hiding in the background on some of the spreads where Bubba is involved in the action.
This is an excellent source to learn about life on a ranch and the language that is unique to farm living.
REVIEW EXCERPT:
San Francisco Chronicle: "Gender flip-flops of classic fairy tales can be a lot of fun."
CONNECTIONS:
There are many other books that deal with a different version of the classic Cinderella story so I have just listed a few that you may want to consider:
Lowell, Susan CINDY ELLEN: A WILD WESTERN CINDERELLA ISBN: 0064438643
Pollock, Penny THE TURKEY GIRL: A ZUNI CINDERELLA STORY ISBN: 0316713147
Climo, Shirley THE EGYPTIAN CINDERELLA ISBN: 0064432793
San Souci, Robert D. CENDRILLON: A CARIBBEAN CINDERELLA ISBN: 0689848889
A couple of books that have to do with life on a ranch:
Maclachlan, Patricia ALL THE PLACES TO LOVE ISBN: 0060210982
White, E. B. CHARLOTTE'S WEB ISBN: 0064400557
Title: BUBBA THE COWBOY PRINCE
Author: Ketteman, Helen
Illustrator: Warhola, James
Publisher and publication date: Scholastic Press, a division of Scholastic Inc., 1997
ISBN: 0-590-25506-1
PLOT SUMMARY:
BUBBA THE COWBOY PRINCE is a Texas version of the retelling of the Cinderella story. Bubba is cowboy who lives in Texas with his evil stepfather and two stepbrothers. The stepbrothers, Milton and Dwayne, get everything they want while Bubba is required to do all the house and ranch chores. One day, Miz Lurleen, a local wealthy and pretty rancher, decides to throw a ball in order to find herself a husband. While the stepfather and the sons leisurely prepare for the ball Bubba busily helps them get ready in addition to taking care of all of his other chores. After Bubba's family leaves he rides out into the pasture where he encounters his fairy godcow. She prepares him for Miz Lurleen's ball and when he arrives he and Miz Lurllen have a marvelous time dancing together. At the stroke of midnight he turns back into himself and while running off loses one of his dirty boots. The next day Miz Lurleen sets out looking for her cowboy prince. She finds him, Bubba tries on the boot which fits perfectly, she asks him to marry her, he accepts, and they live happily ever after.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
This story is a fractured fairy tale on the classic Cinderella story. This book provides insight into what life and language is like on a ranch. Some examples of life on the ranch are the descriptions of Bubba's chores as a "ranch hand" such as "breaking in" a new horse, rounding up cattle and reshoeing the horses. A few examples of the new vocabulary that can be learned that are "Texan" are feller, git them dogies, cowpatties, and gussied up.
Miz Lurleen is a wonderful role model for girls-an independent, think-for-yourself, successful type woman. The pictures which are oil on canvas help complement the text and make the characters and the story come to life. Each time the story is read new things are noticed. For example, the "fairy god cow" runs throughout the story and if close observation is made she can be seen hiding in the background on some of the spreads where Bubba is involved in the action.
This is an excellent source to learn about life on a ranch and the language that is unique to farm living.
REVIEW EXCERPT:
San Francisco Chronicle: "Gender flip-flops of classic fairy tales can be a lot of fun."
CONNECTIONS:
There are many other books that deal with a different version of the classic Cinderella story so I have just listed a few that you may want to consider:
Lowell, Susan CINDY ELLEN: A WILD WESTERN CINDERELLA ISBN: 0064438643
Pollock, Penny THE TURKEY GIRL: A ZUNI CINDERELLA STORY ISBN: 0316713147
Climo, Shirley THE EGYPTIAN CINDERELLA ISBN: 0064432793
San Souci, Robert D. CENDRILLON: A CARIBBEAN CINDERELLA ISBN: 0689848889
A couple of books that have to do with life on a ranch:
Maclachlan, Patricia ALL THE PLACES TO LOVE ISBN: 0060210982
White, E. B. CHARLOTTE'S WEB ISBN: 0064400557
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Review of LEONARDO THE TERRIBLE MONSTER
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Willems, Mo. 2005. LEONARDO THE TERRIBLE MONSTER.Hyperion Books for Children. New York. ISBN 0-7868-5294-1.
PLOT SUMMARY
Leonardo is a boy monster who wants desperately to scare others. However, he never seems to get the correct technique needed to scare others. He has other scary friends that he wants to be just like. One day he gets the brilliant idea that if he could only find the "most scaredy-cat kid in the whole world" then he would be successful at scaring someone. After conducting research he finds a boy named Sam that he thinks will work perfectly as a subject to scare. Leonardo sneaks up on Sam and upon scaring him and making Sam cry Leonardo is elated. He's elated that is until he discovers the real reason for Sam's tears. At this time Leonardo makes "a very BIG decision" and decides that it is better to be a good friend instead of a terrible monster.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Willems' story helps children deal with and relate to the times in their lives when they felt like they had to be mean to someone in order to feel good about themselves or have been on the receiving end of someone else's actions towards them. The story introduces some vocabulary that children may not be familiar with (i.e. weird, scaredy-cat, and researched) but through Willems' wonderful illustrations the reader can comprehend and get a "clear picture" of exactly what each word means.
Willems' illustrations in this book as in his previous works capture the true essence of the story. For example, when Leonard is researching for a suitable subject to scare there are books stacked very high all around him and the room has items scattered around it that help the reader understand how much time and effort Leonardo is investing to find the perfect subject to scare. When Sam is introduced in the story the reader immediately gets the feel about how Leonardo may have done a very thorough investigation because on the two page spread Sam is seated in one small corner of the page with blank space all around him. Later when Sam finally screams what the real reasons were for his tears the reader can tell instantly that he is yelling, mad, and "hurt" because the words are all in capital letters and take up all the space on the page except for the life-size drawings of Sam and Leonardo.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
School Library Journal: Starred Review. "A surefire hit."
Booklist: "A winner for story hours, with plenty of discussion possibilities."
CONNECTIONS:
Read some other books by Mo Willems such as:
Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity (ISBN-10: 1423102991
ISBN-13: 978-1423102991 ), Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! (ISBN-10: 0786837462),
Edwina, the Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct (ISBN-10: 0786837489), and
My Friend is Sad (Elephant and Piggie) (ISBN-10: 1423102975, ISBN-13: 978-1423102977)
Other books that have to do with friendship are:
Henkes, Kevin CHRYSANTHEMUM (ISBN-10: 0688147321,
ISBN-13: 978-0688147327)
Yolen, Jane HOW DO DINOSAURS PLAY WITH THEIR FRIENDS (ISBN-10: 043985654X
ISBN-13: 978-0439856546)
The teacher could also have the children come up with their own rules and/or draw pictures about what friendship means and how to treat others.
Willems, Mo. 2005. LEONARDO THE TERRIBLE MONSTER.Hyperion Books for Children. New York. ISBN 0-7868-5294-1.
PLOT SUMMARY
Leonardo is a boy monster who wants desperately to scare others. However, he never seems to get the correct technique needed to scare others. He has other scary friends that he wants to be just like. One day he gets the brilliant idea that if he could only find the "most scaredy-cat kid in the whole world" then he would be successful at scaring someone. After conducting research he finds a boy named Sam that he thinks will work perfectly as a subject to scare. Leonardo sneaks up on Sam and upon scaring him and making Sam cry Leonardo is elated. He's elated that is until he discovers the real reason for Sam's tears. At this time Leonardo makes "a very BIG decision" and decides that it is better to be a good friend instead of a terrible monster.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Willems' story helps children deal with and relate to the times in their lives when they felt like they had to be mean to someone in order to feel good about themselves or have been on the receiving end of someone else's actions towards them. The story introduces some vocabulary that children may not be familiar with (i.e. weird, scaredy-cat, and researched) but through Willems' wonderful illustrations the reader can comprehend and get a "clear picture" of exactly what each word means.
Willems' illustrations in this book as in his previous works capture the true essence of the story. For example, when Leonard is researching for a suitable subject to scare there are books stacked very high all around him and the room has items scattered around it that help the reader understand how much time and effort Leonardo is investing to find the perfect subject to scare. When Sam is introduced in the story the reader immediately gets the feel about how Leonardo may have done a very thorough investigation because on the two page spread Sam is seated in one small corner of the page with blank space all around him. Later when Sam finally screams what the real reasons were for his tears the reader can tell instantly that he is yelling, mad, and "hurt" because the words are all in capital letters and take up all the space on the page except for the life-size drawings of Sam and Leonardo.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
School Library Journal: Starred Review. "A surefire hit."
Booklist: "A winner for story hours, with plenty of discussion possibilities."
CONNECTIONS:
Read some other books by Mo Willems such as:
Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity (ISBN-10: 1423102991
ISBN-13: 978-1423102991 ), Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! (ISBN-10: 0786837462),
Edwina, the Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct (ISBN-10: 0786837489), and
My Friend is Sad (Elephant and Piggie) (ISBN-10: 1423102975, ISBN-13: 978-1423102977)
Other books that have to do with friendship are:
Henkes, Kevin CHRYSANTHEMUM (ISBN-10: 0688147321,
ISBN-13: 978-0688147327)
Yolen, Jane HOW DO DINOSAURS PLAY WITH THEIR FRIENDS (ISBN-10: 043985654X
ISBN-13: 978-0439856546)
The teacher could also have the children come up with their own rules and/or draw pictures about what friendship means and how to treat others.
Friday, September 7, 2007
Book Review of A Caldecott Celebration
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Marcus, Leonard S. 1998. A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION: SIX ARTISTS AND THEIR PATHS TO THE CALDECOTT MEDAL. Walker and Company: New York. ISBN 0-8027-8656-1
PLOT SUMMARY
A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION is a book about six different illustrators, who sometimes were the authors of the book they illustrated. The book focuses on Robert McCloskey, Marcia Brown, Maurice Sendak, William Steig, Chris Van Allsburg and David Wiesner. It is an interesting book that includes interviews that were conducted with the illustrator or with others who had intimate knowledge of the illustrator.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This book gives insight into the hard work and dedication it takes to want to become an illustrator, once becoming an illustrator what it takes to continue to have one's works published, and the process an illustrator uses from the time an idea(s) are thought of to the final finished product. Marcus does a good job of providing the reader with factual and interesting information about each of the six illustrators.
The interesting tidbits like Robert McCloskey actually living with sixteen ducks in order to provide authenticity to his drawings for his book MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS was truly an example of a dedicated illustrator who wanted to draw ducklings as they actually look and act in real life.
A selected few of each illustrators works are featured in the book and provides the reader an upclose look at the illustrative process from start to finish. A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION: SIX ARTISTS AND THEIR PATHS TO THE CALDECOTT MEDAL is a book for anyone who wants to understand what it truly takes to become an illustrator.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
School Library Journal: "The large, attractive pages invite readers to savor the multitude of illustrations."
Publishers Weekly: "With a generous sprinkling of the artists' own words and sometimes those of his or her editor, Marcus chronicles the inspiration behind these works, the creative process, the artists' reactions to winning the prestigious award and its effect on their careers."
CONNECTIONS
Read at least some of the books illustrated by each of the illustrators highlighted in this book. A selected few from each author are as follows:
Robert McCloskey MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS (ISBN-10: 0670451495, ISBN-13: 978-0670451494), BLUEBERRIES FOR SAL (ISBN-10: 014050169X ,ISBN-13: 978-0140501698)
ONE MORNING IN MAINE (ISBN-10: 0140501746, ISBN-13: 978-0140501742)
Maurice Sendak A VERY SPECIAL HOUSE ( ISBN-10: 0060286385, ISBN-13: 978-0060286385), WHAT DO YOU SAY, DEAR? (ISBN-10: 0064431126, ISBN-13: 978-0064431125), WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE (ISBN-10: 0060254920, ISBN-13: 978-0060254926)
William Steig SYLVESTER AND THE MAGIC PEBBLE(ISBN-10: 0590980661
ISBN-13: 978-0590980661), THE AMAZING BONE (ISBN-10: 0374403589
ISBN-13: 978-0374403584), PETE'S A PIZZA (ISBN-10: 0062051571
ISBN-13: 978-0062051578)
Chris Van Allsburg THE GARDEN OF ABDUL GASAZI (ISBN-10: 039527804X
ISBN-13: 978-0395278048), JUMANJI ( ISBN-10: 0395304482
ISBN-13: 978-0395304488), THE POLAR EXPRESS(ISBN-10: 0395389496
ISBN-13: 978-0395389492)
David Wiesner TUESDAY (ISBN-10: 0395870828, ISBN-13: 978-0395870822),
FREE FALL (ISBN-10: 068810990X, ISBN-13: 978-0688109905),
FLOTSAM (ISBN-10: 0618194576, ISBN-13: 978-0618194575)
Marcia Brown CINDERELLA; OR, THE LITTLE GLASS SLIPPER (ISBN-10: 0881032166
ISBN-13: 978-0881032161), ONCE A MOUSE (ISBN-10: 0689713436,
ISBN-13: 978-0689713439), SHADOW (ISBN-10: 0808585800
ISBN-13: 978-0808585800)
Marcus, Leonard S. 1998. A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION: SIX ARTISTS AND THEIR PATHS TO THE CALDECOTT MEDAL. Walker and Company: New York. ISBN 0-8027-8656-1
PLOT SUMMARY
A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION is a book about six different illustrators, who sometimes were the authors of the book they illustrated. The book focuses on Robert McCloskey, Marcia Brown, Maurice Sendak, William Steig, Chris Van Allsburg and David Wiesner. It is an interesting book that includes interviews that were conducted with the illustrator or with others who had intimate knowledge of the illustrator.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This book gives insight into the hard work and dedication it takes to want to become an illustrator, once becoming an illustrator what it takes to continue to have one's works published, and the process an illustrator uses from the time an idea(s) are thought of to the final finished product. Marcus does a good job of providing the reader with factual and interesting information about each of the six illustrators.
The interesting tidbits like Robert McCloskey actually living with sixteen ducks in order to provide authenticity to his drawings for his book MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS was truly an example of a dedicated illustrator who wanted to draw ducklings as they actually look and act in real life.
A selected few of each illustrators works are featured in the book and provides the reader an upclose look at the illustrative process from start to finish. A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION: SIX ARTISTS AND THEIR PATHS TO THE CALDECOTT MEDAL is a book for anyone who wants to understand what it truly takes to become an illustrator.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
School Library Journal: "The large, attractive pages invite readers to savor the multitude of illustrations."
Publishers Weekly: "With a generous sprinkling of the artists' own words and sometimes those of his or her editor, Marcus chronicles the inspiration behind these works, the creative process, the artists' reactions to winning the prestigious award and its effect on their careers."
CONNECTIONS
Read at least some of the books illustrated by each of the illustrators highlighted in this book. A selected few from each author are as follows:
Robert McCloskey MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS (ISBN-10: 0670451495, ISBN-13: 978-0670451494), BLUEBERRIES FOR SAL (ISBN-10: 014050169X ,ISBN-13: 978-0140501698)
ONE MORNING IN MAINE (ISBN-10: 0140501746, ISBN-13: 978-0140501742)
Maurice Sendak A VERY SPECIAL HOUSE ( ISBN-10: 0060286385, ISBN-13: 978-0060286385), WHAT DO YOU SAY, DEAR? (ISBN-10: 0064431126, ISBN-13: 978-0064431125), WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE (ISBN-10: 0060254920, ISBN-13: 978-0060254926)
William Steig SYLVESTER AND THE MAGIC PEBBLE(ISBN-10: 0590980661
ISBN-13: 978-0590980661), THE AMAZING BONE (ISBN-10: 0374403589
ISBN-13: 978-0374403584), PETE'S A PIZZA (ISBN-10: 0062051571
ISBN-13: 978-0062051578)
Chris Van Allsburg THE GARDEN OF ABDUL GASAZI (ISBN-10: 039527804X
ISBN-13: 978-0395278048), JUMANJI ( ISBN-10: 0395304482
ISBN-13: 978-0395304488), THE POLAR EXPRESS(ISBN-10: 0395389496
ISBN-13: 978-0395389492)
David Wiesner TUESDAY (ISBN-10: 0395870828, ISBN-13: 978-0395870822),
FREE FALL (ISBN-10: 068810990X, ISBN-13: 978-0688109905),
FLOTSAM (ISBN-10: 0618194576, ISBN-13: 978-0618194575)
Marcia Brown CINDERELLA; OR, THE LITTLE GLASS SLIPPER (ISBN-10: 0881032166
ISBN-13: 978-0881032161), ONCE A MOUSE (ISBN-10: 0689713436,
ISBN-13: 978-0689713439), SHADOW (ISBN-10: 0808585800
ISBN-13: 978-0808585800)
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Review of JOSEPH HAD A LITTLE OVERCOAT
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Title: JOSEPH HAD A LITTLE OVERCOAT (2000 Caldecott Medal Winner)
Author and Illustrator: Simms Taback
Publisher: Viking, Penguin Group, Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: 1999
ISBN: 0-670-87855-3
BRIEF PLOT SUMMARY:
This is a heartwarming story about a man who keeps finding new uses for his worn overcoat. He makes a jacket, a vest, a scarf, necktie, a handkerchief, and finally a button that all had their orgins in Joseph's overcoat. He wears/uses each item until it is worn out and then his creativity kicks in and he makes something new. In the end when the smallest item that can be made, a button, is old and worn out, Joseph then creates and writes a story about his experience. This story teaches children and reminds adults that you truly can make something from nothing.
REVIEW EXCERPTS:
School Library Journal: "Pre-Grade 3-A book bursting at the seams with ingenuity and creative spirit."
Booklist: "Taback's mixed-media and collage illustrations are alive with warmth, humor, and humanity."
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
Taback's characters are believable and children can relate to the story because everyone has had something that has eventually worn out through continued use. This concept book teaches a lesson in a non-threatening way and gives "food for thought." Joseph's recycling of each previous item into another "new" useful item stresses how we as human beings need to help take care of our earth and not continue this "throw away" society that we have become.
This book is also a participation book because the children are giving clues through the clever
use of die-cuts. They are given clues by the shape of the die-cut to what the next item is that Joseph made and then the next page reveals the "answer."
The reader learns about Joseph's character through his actions and the expressions, so eloquently drawn by Taback himself, on the characters faces. Taback's illustrations do a great job of conveying the message Joseph is truly a caring person.
CONNECTIONS:
1)Some other books by Simms Taback:
THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A FLY ISBN-10: 0670869392
ISBN-13: 978-0670869398
THIS IS THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT ISBN-10: 0142402001 ISBN-13: 978-0142402009
SIMM TABACK'S BIG BOOK OF WORDS, KIBITZERS AND FOOLS: TALES MY ZAYDA TOLD ME ISBN-10: 0670059552 ISBN-13: 978-0670059553
THERE WAS an OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED a FLY ISBN-10: 0670869392
ISBN-13: 978-0670869398
2)Another tie-in would be books, in particular THE GIVING TREE by Shel Silverstein (ISBN-10: 0060256656 ISBN-13: 978-0060256654) which is a story about a tree that keeps on giving and giving until it is a stump and then is still useful as a stool for the boy who at the end of the story is an old man, that are stories of how something is useful long after the original item is past its usefulness.
Another idea would be to have the students bring in something old and worn and after getting their creative juices flowing, design, and create something "new" from something "old."
3)A couple of books that deal with recycling are:
Ecoart!: Earth-Friendly Art and Craft Experiences for 3-To 9-Year-Olds (Williamson Kids Can! Series) (Paperback) by Laurie Carlson ISBN-10: 0913589683 ISBN-13: 978-0913589687
Recycle Every Day! (Paperback) by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace ISBN-10: 0761452907
ISBN-13: 978-0761452904
Title: JOSEPH HAD A LITTLE OVERCOAT (2000 Caldecott Medal Winner)
Author and Illustrator: Simms Taback
Publisher: Viking, Penguin Group, Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: 1999
ISBN: 0-670-87855-3
BRIEF PLOT SUMMARY:
This is a heartwarming story about a man who keeps finding new uses for his worn overcoat. He makes a jacket, a vest, a scarf, necktie, a handkerchief, and finally a button that all had their orgins in Joseph's overcoat. He wears/uses each item until it is worn out and then his creativity kicks in and he makes something new. In the end when the smallest item that can be made, a button, is old and worn out, Joseph then creates and writes a story about his experience. This story teaches children and reminds adults that you truly can make something from nothing.
REVIEW EXCERPTS:
School Library Journal: "Pre-Grade 3-A book bursting at the seams with ingenuity and creative spirit."
Booklist: "Taback's mixed-media and collage illustrations are alive with warmth, humor, and humanity."
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
Taback's characters are believable and children can relate to the story because everyone has had something that has eventually worn out through continued use. This concept book teaches a lesson in a non-threatening way and gives "food for thought." Joseph's recycling of each previous item into another "new" useful item stresses how we as human beings need to help take care of our earth and not continue this "throw away" society that we have become.
This book is also a participation book because the children are giving clues through the clever
use of die-cuts. They are given clues by the shape of the die-cut to what the next item is that Joseph made and then the next page reveals the "answer."
The reader learns about Joseph's character through his actions and the expressions, so eloquently drawn by Taback himself, on the characters faces. Taback's illustrations do a great job of conveying the message Joseph is truly a caring person.
CONNECTIONS:
1)Some other books by Simms Taback:
THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A FLY ISBN-10: 0670869392
ISBN-13: 978-0670869398
THIS IS THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT ISBN-10: 0142402001 ISBN-13: 978-0142402009
SIMM TABACK'S BIG BOOK OF WORDS, KIBITZERS AND FOOLS: TALES MY ZAYDA TOLD ME ISBN-10: 0670059552 ISBN-13: 978-0670059553
THERE WAS an OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED a FLY ISBN-10: 0670869392
ISBN-13: 978-0670869398
2)Another tie-in would be books, in particular THE GIVING TREE by Shel Silverstein (ISBN-10: 0060256656 ISBN-13: 978-0060256654) which is a story about a tree that keeps on giving and giving until it is a stump and then is still useful as a stool for the boy who at the end of the story is an old man, that are stories of how something is useful long after the original item is past its usefulness.
Another idea would be to have the students bring in something old and worn and after getting their creative juices flowing, design, and create something "new" from something "old."
3)A couple of books that deal with recycling are:
Ecoart!: Earth-Friendly Art and Craft Experiences for 3-To 9-Year-Olds (Williamson Kids Can! Series) (Paperback) by Laurie Carlson ISBN-10: 0913589683 ISBN-13: 978-0913589687
Recycle Every Day! (Paperback) by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace ISBN-10: 0761452907
ISBN-13: 978-0761452904
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