Bibliography:
Frost, Helen. 2003. Keesha's House. New York: Frances Foster Books (Farrar, Straus and Giroux). ISBN 13:978037430643
Plot Summary:
One by one troubled teens find their way to Keesha's House, a refuge and safe place for anyone needing a home. The house does not belong to Keesha, it belongs to a man named Joe. Joe understands what it is like to need a safe place to sleep, so he opens his house to kids in need. There are no strings attached, they may stay as long as needed without anyone bothering them. Although the house does not belong to Joe, Keesha is the one spreading the word whenever she senses one of her high school classmates might need a place to stay, known as Keesha's house.
Critical Analysis:
Helen Frost's Keesha's House give the perspective of six different kids through poem. As I read these poems I was sure they were written in style of free verse but to my surprise they are written as strict traditional form. The way she gives her character a voice appears to me as free verse because the character express themselves freely and with comfort and ease. These six characters have all odds against them. Stephie is pregnant and not sure what to do. Jason is Stephie's boyfriend and father of her baby. Dontay is a foster kid whose foster parents don't seem to care much about him. Harris' father has disowned him when he learned that he was gay. Carmen's been arrested for DUI. Katie is running away from her mom because her mom's boyfriend is very abusive. All of these teens have their own problems to bare, but at Keesha's house they feel safe and supportive. Keesha is the one they can confide in and assigns the rooms, just as if it was her house. Keesha's house is written from two different perspectives. One from the teen point-of-view and adults and the teens. The adult point-of-view is written in sonnets, giving a different view of how the teens view the world as compared to the adults. I enjoyed this book and appreciation it style and format. This book gave me a new perspective of poetry in action.
Review Excerpt(s):
From School Library Journal
Grade 9 Up-Frost has taken the poem-story to a new level with well-crafted sestinas and sonnets, leading readers into the souls and psyches of her teen protagonists. The house in the title isn't really Keesha's; it belongs to Joe. His aunt took him in when he was 12, and now that he's an adult and the owner of the place, he is helping out kids in the same situation. Keesha needs a safe place to stay-her mother is dead; her father gets mean when he drinks, and he drinks a lot. She wants to stay in school, all these teens do, and Keesha lets them know they can stay at Joe's. There's Stephie, pregnant at 16, and terrified to tell anyone except her boyfriend. Harris's father threw him out when his son confided that he is gay. Katie's stepfather has taken to coming into her room late at night, and her mother refuses to believe her when she tells. Carmen's parents have run off, and she's been put into juvie for a DUI. Dontay is a foster kid with two parents in jail. Readers also hear from the adults in these young people's lives: teachers, parents, grandparents, and Joe. It sounds like a soap opera, but the poems that recount these stories unfold realistically. Revealing heartbreak and hope, these poems could stand alone, but work best as a story collection. Teens may read this engaging novel without even realizing they are reading poetry.Angela J. Reynolds, Washington County Cooperative Library Services, Hillsboro, ORCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Gr. 6-10. Like Virginia Euwer Wolff's True Believer (2001) and much contemporary YA fiction, this moving first novel tells the story in a series of dramatic monologues that are personal, poetic, and immediate, with lots of line breaks that make for easy reading, alone or in readers' theater. Keesha finds shelter in a house in her inner-city neighborhood and helps other troubled teens find home and family there ("like finding a sister when I'm old / enough to pick a good one"). Stephie is pregnant, and she's heartbroken that her boyfriend doesn't want the baby. Harris is gay; his dad has thrown him out. Carmen is fighting addiction. Dontay's parents are in jail, and he doesn't feel comfortable in his latest foster home. Interwoven with the angry, desperate teen voices are those of the adults in their lives: caring, helpless, abusive, indifferent. In a long note, Frost talks about the poetic forms she has used, the sestina and the sonnet. But most readers will be less interested in that framework than in the characters, drawn with aching realism, who speak poetry in ordinary words and make connections. Hazel RochmanCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Connections:
You could have students act out book as if it was a play, assigning students to play the different characters written in the book.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Insectlopedia by Douglass Florian
Bibliography:
Florian, Douglas. 1998. Insectlopedia. San Diego, California. Harcourt Brace & Company. ISBN 0152013067
Plot Summary:
Insectlopedia makes you want to get out the bug spray as Douglas Florian skillfully describes 21 different types of creepy, crawling insects. These insect poems celebrate swooping dragonflies, whirling beetles, army ants and feasting mosquitoes. As you read these poems aloud your listeners can visualize insects swarming, buzzing and slitting all over the place. The illustrations are wonderful. The bright watercolors of light and dark blues, greens and yellows all collage together making great visual aides for the listeners and readers.
Critical Analysis:
Douglas Florian brings the Black Widow spider, Weevils and many other insects to life. He gives insects a voice. As you read about the Black Widow spider you can picture in your mind her dress attire as she states: "I always wear black. From my eight dainty legs to my shiny round back." Florian's book Insectlopedia is a specialized anthology, it focuses on insects. His book gives life to the insect world. The reader will enjoy opening up and letting this infestation of bugs into his or her room. The subject and writing style makes this book appealing to elementary students. This book opens with a table of content, making it a good source to look up particular insects. This book is both informative and fun, engaging young readers' interest in words and images.
Review Excerpt(s):
From School Library Journal
Grade 2-6?As he did in Beast Feast (1994), On The Wing (1996), and In the Swim (1997, all Harcourt), Florian offers 21 short, inventive poems and paintings that create playful images of animals. Here, the subjects are arthropods such as the mayfly, praying mantis, hornet, black widow spider, and weevils. The verse form is as varied as the creatures presented. Shaped or pattern poems about the inchworm, whirligig beetles, and mound-building termites work particularly well. The words are arranged in pleasing patterns and the rhythms fit the characteristics of the subjects. The design adds to the overall appeal. Each selection is given its own page, allowing for the use of large type and plenty of glossy white space, and paired with a full-page watercolor with a neat border of white. These portraits build on the imaginatively integrated realistic and anthropomorphic images created in the text. There are other books of poetry about insects and lots of collections of humorous verses about animals but none match Insectlopedia.?Carolyn Angus, The Claremont Graduate School, CA Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Gr. 3^-5. Florian, the author/illustrator of beast feast (1994) and on the wing (1996), now presents a witty collection of short poems about insects and spiders. The verse rhymes at the ends of lines, and often internally as well, as Florian plays with sound and meter, word and sense, and even the placement of words on the page to create poems that children will enjoy, such as "The io moth / Has mam-moth eyes / That are not real--/ They're a disguise / To ward off birds / And other creatures, / Like garter snakes / And science teachers." The illustration on the facing page shows that the "mam-moth eyes" are eyespots on the moth's wings. The book is handsomely designed, with each short poem appearing on a large white page across from a full-color illustration. The artwork consists of collages of drawn and painted images and printed letters on paper that is cut and juxtaposed for effect. The clever artwork, deftly constructed, and the entertaining collection of insect and arachnid verse it illustrates will delight readers. Carolyn Phelan
Connections:
Florian, Douglas. 1998. Insectlopedia. San Diego, California. Harcourt Brace & Company. ISBN 0152013067
Plot Summary:
Insectlopedia makes you want to get out the bug spray as Douglas Florian skillfully describes 21 different types of creepy, crawling insects. These insect poems celebrate swooping dragonflies, whirling beetles, army ants and feasting mosquitoes. As you read these poems aloud your listeners can visualize insects swarming, buzzing and slitting all over the place. The illustrations are wonderful. The bright watercolors of light and dark blues, greens and yellows all collage together making great visual aides for the listeners and readers.
Critical Analysis:
Douglas Florian brings the Black Widow spider, Weevils and many other insects to life. He gives insects a voice. As you read about the Black Widow spider you can picture in your mind her dress attire as she states: "I always wear black. From my eight dainty legs to my shiny round back." Florian's book Insectlopedia is a specialized anthology, it focuses on insects. His book gives life to the insect world. The reader will enjoy opening up and letting this infestation of bugs into his or her room. The subject and writing style makes this book appealing to elementary students. This book opens with a table of content, making it a good source to look up particular insects. This book is both informative and fun, engaging young readers' interest in words and images.
Review Excerpt(s):
From School Library Journal
Grade 2-6?As he did in Beast Feast (1994), On The Wing (1996), and In the Swim (1997, all Harcourt), Florian offers 21 short, inventive poems and paintings that create playful images of animals. Here, the subjects are arthropods such as the mayfly, praying mantis, hornet, black widow spider, and weevils. The verse form is as varied as the creatures presented. Shaped or pattern poems about the inchworm, whirligig beetles, and mound-building termites work particularly well. The words are arranged in pleasing patterns and the rhythms fit the characteristics of the subjects. The design adds to the overall appeal. Each selection is given its own page, allowing for the use of large type and plenty of glossy white space, and paired with a full-page watercolor with a neat border of white. These portraits build on the imaginatively integrated realistic and anthropomorphic images created in the text. There are other books of poetry about insects and lots of collections of humorous verses about animals but none match Insectlopedia.?Carolyn Angus, The Claremont Graduate School, CA Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Gr. 3^-5. Florian, the author/illustrator of beast feast (1994) and on the wing (1996), now presents a witty collection of short poems about insects and spiders. The verse rhymes at the ends of lines, and often internally as well, as Florian plays with sound and meter, word and sense, and even the placement of words on the page to create poems that children will enjoy, such as "The io moth / Has mam-moth eyes / That are not real--/ They're a disguise / To ward off birds / And other creatures, / Like garter snakes / And science teachers." The illustration on the facing page shows that the "mam-moth eyes" are eyespots on the moth's wings. The book is handsomely designed, with each short poem appearing on a large white page across from a full-color illustration. The artwork consists of collages of drawn and painted images and printed letters on paper that is cut and juxtaposed for effect. The clever artwork, deftly constructed, and the entertaining collection of insect and arachnid verse it illustrates will delight readers. Carolyn Phelan
Connections:
- Use to introduce poems
- Use to emerge entomologists into poetry
- Make a word search of the insects from this book
- Have students bring insects to class to write a poem about
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
Bibliography:
Hesse, Karen. Out of the Dust. New York: Scholastic Inc. ISBN: 0590371258
Plot Summary:
Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse is about a girl named Billie Jo. It takes place in the 1930's during The Great Depression. Billie Jo in her family are struggling through hard financial times on their farm which is typical for this time period. Billie Jo liked to heard her mother play the piano. Her mother plays the piano beautifully. Her mother's piano playing causes her father's eyes to lighten up, with is something seldom seen by Billie Jo. Billie Jo playing of the piano is not as wonderful as her mother. She played a very different style, with caused her mother to wince when she played. But Billie Jo playing was well liked by her peers. This becomes her faith for getting out of the dust. Her faith and dreams are shattered when a tragedy accident happens. Her mother and unborn sibling are burned to death leaving Billie Jo's hands burned as well. When her hands are burned so are dreams and her faith of getting out of the dust. Eventually Billie Jo leaves the dust only to realize it's the place she should be.
Critical Analysis:
Karen Hesse's book Out of the Dust is written in first person, Billie Jo is personally telling her story. She is the protagonist of the story, who lived in the gritty farmlands of Oklahoma. Hesse writes Billie Jo's story in diary form as a series of free-verse poems. She tells how the dust storms affects her life. The climax is the tragedy of the book. Billie Jo's father careless leaves a bucket of kerosene near the stove, her mother thought it is was water, spills it on the stove making tea. Billie Jo thinks it water also and pours it on her, only to make things worst and burns her hands in the process. Later after giving birth her mother and newborn baby brother die. This accident shatters her dreams and faith leaving her motherless and hopeless. She once played the piano, like her mother. But since the accident her dreams are left faded and untouched. Now her dreams of getting out of the dust are no more. Billie Jo's father is a quiet man. He becomes unreachable after the death of Billie Jo's mother and baby brother. Billie Jo fears that they're both turn into the dust that has covered everything. But finally once she finds her inner strength she hops a train west and get away from the dust and all it has taken from her , only to realize her place is back home. "I can't get out of something that is inside of me." Hesse has many literary qualities use of sentence structure, line break and chapter division. Going back to point of view of first person it is apparent to the audience is young people. This story of a young girl life appeals to other young girls especially. Young female readers can relate to being alone and longing for a cause of hope and faith. Hesse's character Billie Jo gives young readers the hope and faith to keep living. At one point it seems that Billie Jo has lost everything ; her father's love, her mother and baby brother. How can a young girl possible survive through all this and the dust. But she does and in the process learns to forgive herself and her father. Her dreams are not faded for long and at the end she finds enough hope to play the piano again: "I stretch my fingers over the keys and I play." She realizes that '.. hard times aren't only about money, or drought, or dust. Hard times are about losing spirit, and hope, and what happens when dreams dry up."
Review Excerpt(s):
From Publishers Weekly
In a starred review of the 1998 Newbery Medal winner, set during the Depression, PW said, "This intimate novel, written in stanza form, poetically conveys the heat, dust and wind of Oklahoma. With each meticulously arranged entry Hesse paints a vivid picture of her heroine's emotions." Ages 11-13. Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 5 Up. After facing loss after loss during the Oklahoma Dust Bowl, Billie Jo begins to reconstruct her life. A triumphant story, eloquently told through prose-poetry. Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Kirkus Reviews Billie Jo tells of her life in Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl: Her mother dies after a gruesome accident caused by her father's leaving a bucket of kerosene near the stove; Billie Jo is partially responsible--fully responsible in the eyes of the community--and sustains injuries that seem to bring to a halt her dreams of playing the piano. Finding a way through her grief is not made easier by her taciturn father, who went on a drinking binge while Billie Joe's mother, not yet dead, begged for water. Told in free-verse poetry of dated entries that span the winter of 1934 to the winter of 1935, this is an unremittingly bleak portrait of one corner of Depression-era life. In Billie Jo, the only character who comes to life, Hesse (The Music of Dolphins, 1996, etc.) presents a hale and determined heroine who confronts unrelenting misery and begins to transcend it. The poem/novel ends with only a trace of hope; there are no pat endings, but a glimpse of beauty wrought from brutal reality. (Fiction. 9-12) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Connections:
Hesse, Karen. Out of the Dust. New York: Scholastic Inc. ISBN: 0590371258
Plot Summary:
Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse is about a girl named Billie Jo. It takes place in the 1930's during The Great Depression. Billie Jo in her family are struggling through hard financial times on their farm which is typical for this time period. Billie Jo liked to heard her mother play the piano. Her mother plays the piano beautifully. Her mother's piano playing causes her father's eyes to lighten up, with is something seldom seen by Billie Jo. Billie Jo playing of the piano is not as wonderful as her mother. She played a very different style, with caused her mother to wince when she played. But Billie Jo playing was well liked by her peers. This becomes her faith for getting out of the dust. Her faith and dreams are shattered when a tragedy accident happens. Her mother and unborn sibling are burned to death leaving Billie Jo's hands burned as well. When her hands are burned so are dreams and her faith of getting out of the dust. Eventually Billie Jo leaves the dust only to realize it's the place she should be.
Critical Analysis:
Karen Hesse's book Out of the Dust is written in first person, Billie Jo is personally telling her story. She is the protagonist of the story, who lived in the gritty farmlands of Oklahoma. Hesse writes Billie Jo's story in diary form as a series of free-verse poems. She tells how the dust storms affects her life. The climax is the tragedy of the book. Billie Jo's father careless leaves a bucket of kerosene near the stove, her mother thought it is was water, spills it on the stove making tea. Billie Jo thinks it water also and pours it on her, only to make things worst and burns her hands in the process. Later after giving birth her mother and newborn baby brother die. This accident shatters her dreams and faith leaving her motherless and hopeless. She once played the piano, like her mother. But since the accident her dreams are left faded and untouched. Now her dreams of getting out of the dust are no more. Billie Jo's father is a quiet man. He becomes unreachable after the death of Billie Jo's mother and baby brother. Billie Jo fears that they're both turn into the dust that has covered everything. But finally once she finds her inner strength she hops a train west and get away from the dust and all it has taken from her , only to realize her place is back home. "I can't get out of something that is inside of me." Hesse has many literary qualities use of sentence structure, line break and chapter division. Going back to point of view of first person it is apparent to the audience is young people. This story of a young girl life appeals to other young girls especially. Young female readers can relate to being alone and longing for a cause of hope and faith. Hesse's character Billie Jo gives young readers the hope and faith to keep living. At one point it seems that Billie Jo has lost everything ; her father's love, her mother and baby brother. How can a young girl possible survive through all this and the dust. But she does and in the process learns to forgive herself and her father. Her dreams are not faded for long and at the end she finds enough hope to play the piano again: "I stretch my fingers over the keys and I play." She realizes that '.. hard times aren't only about money, or drought, or dust. Hard times are about losing spirit, and hope, and what happens when dreams dry up."
Review Excerpt(s):
From Publishers Weekly
In a starred review of the 1998 Newbery Medal winner, set during the Depression, PW said, "This intimate novel, written in stanza form, poetically conveys the heat, dust and wind of Oklahoma. With each meticulously arranged entry Hesse paints a vivid picture of her heroine's emotions." Ages 11-13. Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 5 Up. After facing loss after loss during the Oklahoma Dust Bowl, Billie Jo begins to reconstruct her life. A triumphant story, eloquently told through prose-poetry. Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Kirkus Reviews Billie Jo tells of her life in Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl: Her mother dies after a gruesome accident caused by her father's leaving a bucket of kerosene near the stove; Billie Jo is partially responsible--fully responsible in the eyes of the community--and sustains injuries that seem to bring to a halt her dreams of playing the piano. Finding a way through her grief is not made easier by her taciturn father, who went on a drinking binge while Billie Joe's mother, not yet dead, begged for water. Told in free-verse poetry of dated entries that span the winter of 1934 to the winter of 1935, this is an unremittingly bleak portrait of one corner of Depression-era life. In Billie Jo, the only character who comes to life, Hesse (The Music of Dolphins, 1996, etc.) presents a hale and determined heroine who confronts unrelenting misery and begins to transcend it. The poem/novel ends with only a trace of hope; there are no pat endings, but a glimpse of beauty wrought from brutal reality. (Fiction. 9-12) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Connections:
- Read other related books and compare and contrast them:
- Ann Turner's Dust for Dinner with illustrations by Robert Barrett (Harper Collins, 1995)
- David Boothe's The Dust Bowl with illustrations by Karen Reczuch (Kids Can Pres, 1997)
- History: study the The Dust Bowl. Use an almanac or search the Internet to research droughts.
- Science: What caused the dust bowl, was it bad farming, freak weather or some of both.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Hersheland the Hanukkah Goblins (Folklore) by Eric Kimmel
Bibliography:
Kimmel,Eric. 1989. Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins. New York: Holiday House. Hyman, Tina Schart (illustrator). ISBN 0823407691
Plot Summary:
Kimmel's Yiddish folklore uses a trickster by the name of Hershel of Ostropol to tell how Hanukkah was saved for a village. Hershel is traveling the first night of Hanukkah longing to reach the village where he looked forward to bright menorah lights and delicious potato latkes (potato pancakes) to eat. But when he arrives at the village it is dark and quiet. The villagers explains to him how they have been robbed of Hanukkah by mean goblins haunting the old synagogue, preventing them from celebrating Hanukkah. They (the goblins) refuse to allow them to celebrated Hanukkah because these goblin hate Hanukkah. Hershel is disappointed that Hanukkah was not being celebrated and offered to help. In the village there isn't anyone brave enough to stand up to the goblins. The village people explain to Hershel that rid the synagogue of the goblins he must stay in the old haunted synagogue for eight days, lighting the candles on the menorah. Hershel is very clever and deceives the goblins. He is even able to deceive the king goblin on the eight night and saves Hanukkah.
Critical Analysis:
Kimmel's character Hershel of Ostropol in his book Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins is very clever folklore. Hershel is clever and have very quick wit. He outwits all the goblins, all eight nights to rid them of the synagogue. The first night he tricks the smallest goblin into believing he was strong enough to crush rocks. When he was really crushing his dinner a hard boiled egg. The little goblin trembles with fear and allows him to light his candle, warning him that the next night a bigger goblin was coming. this warning only left Hershel to dig deeper into himself and develop a more clever trick to outwit the next goblin and he did. each night he became more clever than the first night. finally he outwits the king of the goblin by making him think he was not afraid and can not see him. He tells him "Don't be silly. You're one of the boys from the village. You're trying to scare me." This really upsetting to the king goblin, leading him to fall right into Hershel plan. He lights the last candle so Hershel can see him, which in turns brakes the spell, saving Hanukkah for himself and the village.
Eric Kimmel's Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins is a Caldecott Honor Book, with great lively illustrations of goblins and people.
Review Excerpt(s):
Children's Literature
Can Hershel really rid the village synagogue of goblins? He successfully uses his wits to oust the eight creatures haunting the old synagogue and who are preventing the villagers from celebrating Hanukkah. Kimmel provides a humorous, entertaining and just slightly scary story for all young readers. Hyman's illustrations emphasize all of the tension with dark scenes of the goblins and their attempts to frighten Hershel. A Caldecott Honor Book.
Alternative Family - Bobbie Combs
Hyman's pictures are filled with drama, expressive people and ugly goblins, and on the last page there's an author's note with an explanation of the history and symbols of Hanukkah.
Connect:
Eric A.Kimmel's book Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblin can be used as a winter project of how different people celebrate different holidays around the world. Students read this book and other folklore about different holidays and do a report or compare and contrast of how people celebrate different holidays around the world.
Kimmel,Eric. 1989. Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins. New York: Holiday House. Hyman, Tina Schart (illustrator). ISBN 0823407691
Plot Summary:
Kimmel's Yiddish folklore uses a trickster by the name of Hershel of Ostropol to tell how Hanukkah was saved for a village. Hershel is traveling the first night of Hanukkah longing to reach the village where he looked forward to bright menorah lights and delicious potato latkes (potato pancakes) to eat. But when he arrives at the village it is dark and quiet. The villagers explains to him how they have been robbed of Hanukkah by mean goblins haunting the old synagogue, preventing them from celebrating Hanukkah. They (the goblins) refuse to allow them to celebrated Hanukkah because these goblin hate Hanukkah. Hershel is disappointed that Hanukkah was not being celebrated and offered to help. In the village there isn't anyone brave enough to stand up to the goblins. The village people explain to Hershel that rid the synagogue of the goblins he must stay in the old haunted synagogue for eight days, lighting the candles on the menorah. Hershel is very clever and deceives the goblins. He is even able to deceive the king goblin on the eight night and saves Hanukkah.
Critical Analysis:
Kimmel's character Hershel of Ostropol in his book Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins is very clever folklore. Hershel is clever and have very quick wit. He outwits all the goblins, all eight nights to rid them of the synagogue. The first night he tricks the smallest goblin into believing he was strong enough to crush rocks. When he was really crushing his dinner a hard boiled egg. The little goblin trembles with fear and allows him to light his candle, warning him that the next night a bigger goblin was coming. this warning only left Hershel to dig deeper into himself and develop a more clever trick to outwit the next goblin and he did. each night he became more clever than the first night. finally he outwits the king of the goblin by making him think he was not afraid and can not see him. He tells him "Don't be silly. You're one of the boys from the village. You're trying to scare me." This really upsetting to the king goblin, leading him to fall right into Hershel plan. He lights the last candle so Hershel can see him, which in turns brakes the spell, saving Hanukkah for himself and the village.
Eric Kimmel's Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins is a Caldecott Honor Book, with great lively illustrations of goblins and people.
Review Excerpt(s):
Children's Literature
Can Hershel really rid the village synagogue of goblins? He successfully uses his wits to oust the eight creatures haunting the old synagogue and who are preventing the villagers from celebrating Hanukkah. Kimmel provides a humorous, entertaining and just slightly scary story for all young readers. Hyman's illustrations emphasize all of the tension with dark scenes of the goblins and their attempts to frighten Hershel. A Caldecott Honor Book.
Alternative Family - Bobbie Combs
Hyman's pictures are filled with drama, expressive people and ugly goblins, and on the last page there's an author's note with an explanation of the history and symbols of Hanukkah.
Connect:
Eric A.Kimmel's book Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblin can be used as a winter project of how different people celebrate different holidays around the world. Students read this book and other folklore about different holidays and do a report or compare and contrast of how people celebrate different holidays around the world.
Sootface (A Cinderelle Story) by Robert D. San Socui
Bibliography:
Souci, Robert D. San. 1994. Sootface. New York: Doubleday Book for Young Readers. Souci, Daniel San (Illustrator). ISBN 0385312024
Plot Summary:
Sootface is the nickname of young Ojibwa girl given to her two mean and lazy older sisters. The flames from a cooking fire singed Sootface hair and burned her skin. The two mean older sister "sometimes beat her and smeared her face with ashes; then they made fun of her and called her Sootface. "But Sootface dreamed of one day finding a husband. Across the lake loved a might warrior, who had been given the power to make himself invisible by a great medicine man. No one from the village had ever seen him, they had only seen his white moccasins when his sister would hang them beside the door flap. All the villagers know he was a great warrior from all the game his sister set out to dry such as deer. The invisible warrior told his sister to announce tot he village he would marry the woman who could see him. The woman who could see him would be kind and have a honest heart. Of course when Sootface and her sisters heard the news they desired to be the lucky one to marry the invisible warrior. The older sister had Sootface to braid her hair and she put on her fines clothes (deerskin robe) and beaded moccasins as she set off to seek her future husband. Since the she said she could see the warrior, the sister of the invisible warrior asked one question of her, "What was his bow made of?". She answered "rawhide" which was wrong. She returns back to the village very upset and gave Sootface even more work to do. The second sister decides to take her chance and hangs strings of pale shells at her throat and had Sootface weave some pale shells into her long braids. She lies and says she can see the invisible warrior like the oldest sister. She too is asked the "What was his bow made of?". She answers "braided horsehair" and fails the test only to return tot he village in a fury. She scolds Sootface and smears more ashes on her face. Finally Sootface tries her own luck. Without any help from here sisters she prepares herself to meet her future husband. She takes strips of birch bark and sewed them together to make a skirt. She than wove a necklace of wildflower. Also washing her face and adding flowers to her short hair, she crosses over the river ready to see the invisible warrior. She is asked the same question: "What was the invisible warrior's bow made of ?" She answered a "rainbow" because her heart is honest and kind.. Her pure hearts opens her eyes to see the unseen. Sootface happily marries the invisible warrior and leaves her two older sisters to do their own chores.
Critical Analysis:
Robert D. San Souci's Sootface has the typical Cinderella plot of three sister, which the youngest treated unfairly by the older two. The young one is left to do all the chores, dresses in rags but yet at the end finds her true love and lives happily ever after. But the Ojibwa is a little different. Yes, Sootface is the youngest sister but the two older sisters are not mean step-sisters but blood sisters. The dad is off hunting and leaves the older sister in change of Sootface. Like in the original version mistreats Sootface by making her do all the chores (cooking and cleaning). As Sootface is doing one of her many chores (cooking) a fire occurs that singes her hair and burns her face. Her older sisters smear ashes in her face and call her Sootface. These mean sisters are more phyiscal than the original version because I do not recall Cinderella's mean step-sisters phyically abusing her. But Robert D. San Souci version is much more mystical because the warrior (which is the prince in the original version) is invisible and only his white moccasins can be seen. Their isn't any ball and no shoe is left behind. The invisible warrior's sister announces the warrior will marry whoever can see him. But only the woman who is kind and has a honest heart could see him, which is Sootface. Sootface's kindness and honest heart reveals what the invisible warrior bow is made of "a rainbow" and they are married like the Cinderella version and lives happily ever after.
The illustrations are wonderful, one could take them from the book and put them in frames to hang on the wall. The smooth and calming colors are relaxing. hey would make beautiful art work and any art gallery.
Review Excerpt(s):
Children's Literature
One of the strongest retelling voices in America, Robert San Souci recounts Sootface: An Objibwa Cinderella Story. Mistreated by her sister, burned and singed by the cook fire, Sootface dreams of a better life. Dreaming gives her true vision to see and marry the invisible warrior whom every woman desires.
School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 4-Sootface's mother is dead, her sisters beat her, and her father doesn't intervene. Her face is always smeared with soot, and her hair is horribly singed from the cook fire. In spite of all this, she remains resilient-she knows that one day she will escape her circumstances. A mighty warrior who has the power to make himself invisible decides to marry the woman who is kind enough of heart to see him. Several attractive maidens, including Sootface's sisters, try and fail. Now, Sootface is resourceful-no fairy personage shows up to magically bestow finery upon her or to fix up her hair. She prepares herself the best she can and goes off to meet him. She exclaims on the beauty of his bow-it's made of a rainbow and strung with stardust. He materializes, renames her Dawn-Light, and they are betrothed. The retelling is lively, flows well, and brings out the harshness of the heroine's situation, and yet it is not without humorous touches. The full-page watercolors dramatically convey the natural woodland setting, the jeers of Sootface's sisters and fellow villagers, and the serenity and kindness of the warrior and his sister. Sootface's dazed expression remains rather similar throughout-until the end, when she is transformed by love into a beautiful girl. Altogether a refreshing and rewarding "Cinderella" variant.Vanessa Elder, School Library Journal Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Booklist
Ages 5-9. In this Ojibwa tale, Sootface is a young woman who does all the cooking, mending, and fire tending for her father and her two mean and lazy older sisters. When the mysterious invisible warrior announces through his sister that he will take for his bride a woman with a kind and honest heart, only Sootface proves worthy. The tale has been told before, even in picture-book format, but the San Souci version reads aloud well, and the watercolor artwork illustrates the story with quiet grace. A satisfying picture book for reading aloud or alone, and a good choice for classes studying Native Americans or comparative folklore. Carolyn Phelan --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Connections:
Sootface along with other version of Cinderella Stories can be compared and contrasted by students. Students could write and illustrate their own fractured Cinderella tales and publish it as a class project to display in the school library.
Souci, Robert D. San. 1994. Sootface. New York: Doubleday Book for Young Readers. Souci, Daniel San (Illustrator). ISBN 0385312024
Plot Summary:
Sootface is the nickname of young Ojibwa girl given to her two mean and lazy older sisters. The flames from a cooking fire singed Sootface hair and burned her skin. The two mean older sister "sometimes beat her and smeared her face with ashes; then they made fun of her and called her Sootface. "But Sootface dreamed of one day finding a husband. Across the lake loved a might warrior, who had been given the power to make himself invisible by a great medicine man. No one from the village had ever seen him, they had only seen his white moccasins when his sister would hang them beside the door flap. All the villagers know he was a great warrior from all the game his sister set out to dry such as deer. The invisible warrior told his sister to announce tot he village he would marry the woman who could see him. The woman who could see him would be kind and have a honest heart. Of course when Sootface and her sisters heard the news they desired to be the lucky one to marry the invisible warrior. The older sister had Sootface to braid her hair and she put on her fines clothes (deerskin robe) and beaded moccasins as she set off to seek her future husband. Since the she said she could see the warrior, the sister of the invisible warrior asked one question of her, "What was his bow made of?". She answered "rawhide" which was wrong. She returns back to the village very upset and gave Sootface even more work to do. The second sister decides to take her chance and hangs strings of pale shells at her throat and had Sootface weave some pale shells into her long braids. She lies and says she can see the invisible warrior like the oldest sister. She too is asked the "What was his bow made of?". She answers "braided horsehair" and fails the test only to return tot he village in a fury. She scolds Sootface and smears more ashes on her face. Finally Sootface tries her own luck. Without any help from here sisters she prepares herself to meet her future husband. She takes strips of birch bark and sewed them together to make a skirt. She than wove a necklace of wildflower. Also washing her face and adding flowers to her short hair, she crosses over the river ready to see the invisible warrior. She is asked the same question: "What was the invisible warrior's bow made of ?" She answered a "rainbow" because her heart is honest and kind.. Her pure hearts opens her eyes to see the unseen. Sootface happily marries the invisible warrior and leaves her two older sisters to do their own chores.
Critical Analysis:
Robert D. San Souci's Sootface has the typical Cinderella plot of three sister, which the youngest treated unfairly by the older two. The young one is left to do all the chores, dresses in rags but yet at the end finds her true love and lives happily ever after. But the Ojibwa is a little different. Yes, Sootface is the youngest sister but the two older sisters are not mean step-sisters but blood sisters. The dad is off hunting and leaves the older sister in change of Sootface. Like in the original version mistreats Sootface by making her do all the chores (cooking and cleaning). As Sootface is doing one of her many chores (cooking) a fire occurs that singes her hair and burns her face. Her older sisters smear ashes in her face and call her Sootface. These mean sisters are more phyiscal than the original version because I do not recall Cinderella's mean step-sisters phyically abusing her. But Robert D. San Souci version is much more mystical because the warrior (which is the prince in the original version) is invisible and only his white moccasins can be seen. Their isn't any ball and no shoe is left behind. The invisible warrior's sister announces the warrior will marry whoever can see him. But only the woman who is kind and has a honest heart could see him, which is Sootface. Sootface's kindness and honest heart reveals what the invisible warrior bow is made of "a rainbow" and they are married like the Cinderella version and lives happily ever after.
The illustrations are wonderful, one could take them from the book and put them in frames to hang on the wall. The smooth and calming colors are relaxing. hey would make beautiful art work and any art gallery.
Review Excerpt(s):
Children's Literature
One of the strongest retelling voices in America, Robert San Souci recounts Sootface: An Objibwa Cinderella Story. Mistreated by her sister, burned and singed by the cook fire, Sootface dreams of a better life. Dreaming gives her true vision to see and marry the invisible warrior whom every woman desires.
School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 4-Sootface's mother is dead, her sisters beat her, and her father doesn't intervene. Her face is always smeared with soot, and her hair is horribly singed from the cook fire. In spite of all this, she remains resilient-she knows that one day she will escape her circumstances. A mighty warrior who has the power to make himself invisible decides to marry the woman who is kind enough of heart to see him. Several attractive maidens, including Sootface's sisters, try and fail. Now, Sootface is resourceful-no fairy personage shows up to magically bestow finery upon her or to fix up her hair. She prepares herself the best she can and goes off to meet him. She exclaims on the beauty of his bow-it's made of a rainbow and strung with stardust. He materializes, renames her Dawn-Light, and they are betrothed. The retelling is lively, flows well, and brings out the harshness of the heroine's situation, and yet it is not without humorous touches. The full-page watercolors dramatically convey the natural woodland setting, the jeers of Sootface's sisters and fellow villagers, and the serenity and kindness of the warrior and his sister. Sootface's dazed expression remains rather similar throughout-until the end, when she is transformed by love into a beautiful girl. Altogether a refreshing and rewarding "Cinderella" variant.Vanessa Elder, School Library Journal Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Booklist
Ages 5-9. In this Ojibwa tale, Sootface is a young woman who does all the cooking, mending, and fire tending for her father and her two mean and lazy older sisters. When the mysterious invisible warrior announces through his sister that he will take for his bride a woman with a kind and honest heart, only Sootface proves worthy. The tale has been told before, even in picture-book format, but the San Souci version reads aloud well, and the watercolor artwork illustrates the story with quiet grace. A satisfying picture book for reading aloud or alone, and a good choice for classes studying Native Americans or comparative folklore. Carolyn Phelan --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Connections:
Sootface along with other version of Cinderella Stories can be compared and contrasted by students. Students could write and illustrate their own fractured Cinderella tales and publish it as a class project to display in the school library.
Schoolyard Rhymes by Judy Sierra
Bibliography:
Sierra, Judy. 2005. Schoolyard Rhymes: Kids' Own Rhymes for Rope Skipping, Hand Clapping, Ball Bouncing, and Just Plain Fun. Melissa Sweet (Illustrator). New York: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 0375825169
Plot Summary:
Sierra's Schoolyard Rhymes is a book full of memorable chants, poems and rhymes. These enjoyable rhymes as stated in Sierra introduction; "stick in the mind like bubble gum to a shoe." There are more than 50 verses of all kinds of fun, loving hand-clapping games to funny rhymes.
Critical Analysis:
Sierra's Schoolyard Rhymes takes one right back to the school playground at recess and one's neighborhood sidewalk. Her book brings back fond memories of hand-clapping to "Miss Mary Mack" (page 3) and skipping rope to "Miss Susie had a baby" (page 5). Oh, my and I can not forget "Anna Banana" (page 2). The water colored illustrations were warm and inviting. These traditional childhood favorites can relate to any child's playtime memories. Some of the wording my be different than I recall but they still all brought me back to second grade at Lisbon Elementary school on the black-top. This book made me reach back to a time I loved and long for my children to share. This book will help one recovery their childhood and give them a chance to share them with their children, giving great memories of their own. I hope just reading this book and sharing with my children will provide them with shared fond memories of my childhood, leaving them with a sense of warmth and happiness.
Review Excerpt(s):
Publishers Weekly
Schoolyard Rhymes: Kids' Own Rhymes for Rope Skipping, Hand Clapping, Ball Bouncing, and Just Plan Fun by Judy Sierra contains 50 rhymes perfect for recess or after-school play, such as the familiar "Miss Mary Mack." Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
Drawing on her Ph.D. in folklore, Sierra has compiled an upbeat selection of dozens of schoolyard rhymes and funny poems, complemented any Sweet's charming illustrations in watercolor and fabric collage. The collection includes many old clapping games and jump ropes rhymes that have been around for generations, as well as familiar short chants and funny verses. The illustrations bring a fresh focus of the collection with a sophisticated design that includes tine columns of the typeset rhymes creatively enhancing the illustrations, outlining a palm tree or serving as jump ropes. There are many available collections of children's traditional rhymes, but this one use bright colors, great illustrations and pleasing design elements to reach out to contemporary children. Includes and index of the first line and an author's note. (Nonfiction. 4-8)
Connections:
after reading this book one could; "make up a line or new verse for an old rhyme, perform it with a friend or class, and see if it sticks" as stated in the introduction of Sierra' Schoolyard Rhymes. She challenges one to be a playground poet, which would be a great challenge to what students will come up with.
Sierra, Judy. 2005. Schoolyard Rhymes: Kids' Own Rhymes for Rope Skipping, Hand Clapping, Ball Bouncing, and Just Plain Fun. Melissa Sweet (Illustrator). New York: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 0375825169
Plot Summary:
Sierra's Schoolyard Rhymes is a book full of memorable chants, poems and rhymes. These enjoyable rhymes as stated in Sierra introduction; "stick in the mind like bubble gum to a shoe." There are more than 50 verses of all kinds of fun, loving hand-clapping games to funny rhymes.
Critical Analysis:
Sierra's Schoolyard Rhymes takes one right back to the school playground at recess and one's neighborhood sidewalk. Her book brings back fond memories of hand-clapping to "Miss Mary Mack" (page 3) and skipping rope to "Miss Susie had a baby" (page 5). Oh, my and I can not forget "Anna Banana" (page 2). The water colored illustrations were warm and inviting. These traditional childhood favorites can relate to any child's playtime memories. Some of the wording my be different than I recall but they still all brought me back to second grade at Lisbon Elementary school on the black-top. This book made me reach back to a time I loved and long for my children to share. This book will help one recovery their childhood and give them a chance to share them with their children, giving great memories of their own. I hope just reading this book and sharing with my children will provide them with shared fond memories of my childhood, leaving them with a sense of warmth and happiness.
Review Excerpt(s):
Publishers Weekly
Schoolyard Rhymes: Kids' Own Rhymes for Rope Skipping, Hand Clapping, Ball Bouncing, and Just Plan Fun by Judy Sierra contains 50 rhymes perfect for recess or after-school play, such as the familiar "Miss Mary Mack." Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
Drawing on her Ph.D. in folklore, Sierra has compiled an upbeat selection of dozens of schoolyard rhymes and funny poems, complemented any Sweet's charming illustrations in watercolor and fabric collage. The collection includes many old clapping games and jump ropes rhymes that have been around for generations, as well as familiar short chants and funny verses. The illustrations bring a fresh focus of the collection with a sophisticated design that includes tine columns of the typeset rhymes creatively enhancing the illustrations, outlining a palm tree or serving as jump ropes. There are many available collections of children's traditional rhymes, but this one use bright colors, great illustrations and pleasing design elements to reach out to contemporary children. Includes and index of the first line and an author's note. (Nonfiction. 4-8)
Connections:
after reading this book one could; "make up a line or new verse for an old rhyme, perform it with a friend or class, and see if it sticks" as stated in the introduction of Sierra' Schoolyard Rhymes. She challenges one to be a playground poet, which would be a great challenge to what students will come up with.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Booby Hatch by Betsy Lewin
Bibliography:
Lewin,Betsy. Booby Hatch. New York: Clarion Books a Houghton Mifflin Company imprint. ISBN 0-395-68703-9
Plot Summary:
Booby Hatch is written and illustrated by Betsy Lewin. This is book is a very short story that shows the life cycle of a blue -footed booby named Pepe. Pepe is a seabird that lives on the one of the Galapagos Islands. This story starts off with him in the egg and his parents waiting for him to hatch. When he hatches his parents are their ready to care for him. They feed him and nature him until it is time for him to be on his own. They list all of the predators that he is afraid of such as "big, hungry frigate birds" and "sharped eyed hawks" because at this time Pepe is white and fuzzy and he feet have not turned blue yet. Then one days he not white and fuzzy anymore and he feet are now blue, he sees other boobies and flaps his wings and is strong enough to flew away with them. later Pepe meets Tina and they curtsies and bows at one another, as well as dance. They find them a nest and the life cycle of the booby repeats itself again.
Critical Analysis:
Betsy Lewin's book Booby Hatch is beautifully illustrated. I could take anyone of the pages and frame them to have lovely art work for my walls. The colors are soft watered colored shades of blue, white, red , black and brown. These soft colors leaves one feeling warm and secure. Betsy Lewin allows the readers to be Pepe because she writes the story through Pepe's eyes. The first things Pepe sees when he hatches are "a pair of bright blue feet." The readers can picture in his or her mind Pepe's eyes opening and seeing the bright blue feet, leaving a feeling of security. Pepe is white and fuzzy when he is born, in the book he looks soft and gentle, giving a picture of how helpless he is. While he is still white and fuzzy Lewin shows how helpless and frighten he is. His parents have to physically feed him and the books shows all the dangers above his head up in the sky. His parents have to look down over him to keep him safe from the "big, hungry frigate birds" and "the sharped-eyed hawks."
Review Excerpt(s):
Industry Reviews"Short on science but long on charm, this is a great book to read aloud to younger children. Grown-ups and kids alike will enjoy Lewin's whimsical watercolors of sea lions, crabs and iguanas, and the wonderful depiction of the boobies' courtship dance."San Francisco Chronicle Book Review - Jill Sapinsley Mooney (12/24/1995)
Connection:
Betsy Lewin's book Booby Hatch will make for a good science lesson. One could have the students go through the life cycle of a Booby. This books also has a picture of the Galapagos Islands at the end. Students could use this page to choose one of the islands to research and share with the other students. They could research other animals on these islands and go through he life span for each of them.
Lewin,Betsy. Booby Hatch. New York: Clarion Books a Houghton Mifflin Company imprint. ISBN 0-395-68703-9
Plot Summary:
Booby Hatch is written and illustrated by Betsy Lewin. This is book is a very short story that shows the life cycle of a blue -footed booby named Pepe. Pepe is a seabird that lives on the one of the Galapagos Islands. This story starts off with him in the egg and his parents waiting for him to hatch. When he hatches his parents are their ready to care for him. They feed him and nature him until it is time for him to be on his own. They list all of the predators that he is afraid of such as "big, hungry frigate birds" and "sharped eyed hawks" because at this time Pepe is white and fuzzy and he feet have not turned blue yet. Then one days he not white and fuzzy anymore and he feet are now blue, he sees other boobies and flaps his wings and is strong enough to flew away with them. later Pepe meets Tina and they curtsies and bows at one another, as well as dance. They find them a nest and the life cycle of the booby repeats itself again.
Critical Analysis:
Betsy Lewin's book Booby Hatch is beautifully illustrated. I could take anyone of the pages and frame them to have lovely art work for my walls. The colors are soft watered colored shades of blue, white, red , black and brown. These soft colors leaves one feeling warm and secure. Betsy Lewin allows the readers to be Pepe because she writes the story through Pepe's eyes. The first things Pepe sees when he hatches are "a pair of bright blue feet." The readers can picture in his or her mind Pepe's eyes opening and seeing the bright blue feet, leaving a feeling of security. Pepe is white and fuzzy when he is born, in the book he looks soft and gentle, giving a picture of how helpless he is. While he is still white and fuzzy Lewin shows how helpless and frighten he is. His parents have to physically feed him and the books shows all the dangers above his head up in the sky. His parents have to look down over him to keep him safe from the "big, hungry frigate birds" and "the sharped-eyed hawks."
Review Excerpt(s):
Industry Reviews"Short on science but long on charm, this is a great book to read aloud to younger children. Grown-ups and kids alike will enjoy Lewin's whimsical watercolors of sea lions, crabs and iguanas, and the wonderful depiction of the boobies' courtship dance."San Francisco Chronicle Book Review - Jill Sapinsley Mooney (12/24/1995)
Connection:
Betsy Lewin's book Booby Hatch will make for a good science lesson. One could have the students go through the life cycle of a Booby. This books also has a picture of the Galapagos Islands at the end. Students could use this page to choose one of the islands to research and share with the other students. They could research other animals on these islands and go through he life span for each of them.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
A Caldecott Celebration by Marcus Leonard
Bibliography:
Marcus, Leonard. 1999. A Caldecott Celebration: Six Artist Share their Paths to the Caldecott Medal. New York: Walker and Company. ISBN -082786561
Plot Summary:
A Caldecott Celebration gives insight and background about six different authors from a span of six different decades of the medal's history. Marcus, Leonard starts off his book with Robert McCloskey's Caldecott Award winner of 1942, Make Way for Ducklings. Secondly, is Marcia Brown's Cinderella : or The Glass Slipper winner of the Caldecott Medal in 1955. Thirdly, is the 1964 winner Maurice Sendak's book titled Where the Wild Things Are. Next, is the the winner of 1970, William Steig for his picture book Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. In 1982, Chris Van Allsburg wins for his picture book Jumanji. Lastly featured in this book was David Wiesner winner of the 1992 for Tuesday. Marcus shares these authors love passion for writing and illustratins of picture books, making them greatly deserving of the Caldecott Medal.
Critical Analysis:
A Caldecott Celebration gives readers a view of how six authors became award winners of the Caldecott Medal. It voices the background of how these authors started off their careers from six decades of American storytelling. I personally have Robert McCloskey's book Make Way for Ducklings in my classroom library collection. I can see why it is a Caldecott winner. I have had this book in my class collection for the past ten years. I have presented it to my kindergatens up to my eight grade ESL/ELA students and they all enjoy it the same. My personal favorite is Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are. It is a personal favorite because I used to always read it to my oldest son, he loved when we would get to the part of the monsters rolling their terrible eyes and teeth. I also use to call him my little wild thing. Hopefully one day he will read this story to his children, passing on good literature for ages to come. I am not a big fan of Chris Van Allsburgs books, but I do have The Polar Express movie in my children's movie collection, which is a favorite of our to watch during the holidays. While nevertheless Marcus Leonard gives great insight of what it took for all the authors to achieve their goals and passions. He lets the readers follow their journeys of had work and perseverance by sharing these authors love and passion for their writing and illustration of picture books, making them greatly deserving of the Caldecott Medal.
Review Excerpt(s):
School Library Journal:
School Linrary Journal review: "Teachers, librarians, and parents will find a source of inspiration here." Susan Scheps, Shaler Heights Public Library, OH
Connections:
This book would be a great source to introduce or feature authors in the classroom. It would also be a great source to use for chronological order or timelines. You could share other books written by these authors as well, Robert McCloskey: Blueberries for Sal (Viking Press), Marcia Brown: Stone Soup (Charles Scribner's Sons), Maurice Sendak: In the Night Kitchen (Harper & Row), William Steig: The Amazing Bone (farrar, Straus & Giroux), Chris Van Allsburg: The Polar Express (Houghton Mifflin), and David Wiesner: Free Fall (Lothrop, Lee and Sheppar).
Marcus, Leonard. 1999. A Caldecott Celebration: Six Artist Share their Paths to the Caldecott Medal. New York: Walker and Company. ISBN -082786561
Plot Summary:
A Caldecott Celebration gives insight and background about six different authors from a span of six different decades of the medal's history. Marcus, Leonard starts off his book with Robert McCloskey's Caldecott Award winner of 1942, Make Way for Ducklings. Secondly, is Marcia Brown's Cinderella : or The Glass Slipper winner of the Caldecott Medal in 1955. Thirdly, is the 1964 winner Maurice Sendak's book titled Where the Wild Things Are. Next, is the the winner of 1970, William Steig for his picture book Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. In 1982, Chris Van Allsburg wins for his picture book Jumanji. Lastly featured in this book was David Wiesner winner of the 1992 for Tuesday. Marcus shares these authors love passion for writing and illustratins of picture books, making them greatly deserving of the Caldecott Medal.
Critical Analysis:
A Caldecott Celebration gives readers a view of how six authors became award winners of the Caldecott Medal. It voices the background of how these authors started off their careers from six decades of American storytelling. I personally have Robert McCloskey's book Make Way for Ducklings in my classroom library collection. I can see why it is a Caldecott winner. I have had this book in my class collection for the past ten years. I have presented it to my kindergatens up to my eight grade ESL/ELA students and they all enjoy it the same. My personal favorite is Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are. It is a personal favorite because I used to always read it to my oldest son, he loved when we would get to the part of the monsters rolling their terrible eyes and teeth. I also use to call him my little wild thing. Hopefully one day he will read this story to his children, passing on good literature for ages to come. I am not a big fan of Chris Van Allsburgs books, but I do have The Polar Express movie in my children's movie collection, which is a favorite of our to watch during the holidays. While nevertheless Marcus Leonard gives great insight of what it took for all the authors to achieve their goals and passions. He lets the readers follow their journeys of had work and perseverance by sharing these authors love and passion for their writing and illustration of picture books, making them greatly deserving of the Caldecott Medal.
Review Excerpt(s):
School Library Journal:
School Linrary Journal review: "Teachers, librarians, and parents will find a source of inspiration here." Susan Scheps, Shaler Heights Public Library, OH
Connections:
This book would be a great source to introduce or feature authors in the classroom. It would also be a great source to use for chronological order or timelines. You could share other books written by these authors as well, Robert McCloskey: Blueberries for Sal (Viking Press), Marcia Brown: Stone Soup (Charles Scribner's Sons), Maurice Sendak: In the Night Kitchen (Harper & Row), William Steig: The Amazing Bone (farrar, Straus & Giroux), Chris Van Allsburg: The Polar Express (Houghton Mifflin), and David Wiesner: Free Fall (Lothrop, Lee and Sheppar).
The Hello Goodbye Window By Norton Juster
Bibliography:
Juster, Norton. 2005. The Hello Goodbye Window. Micheal Di Capua Books: Hyperion Books for Children. Illustrator: Chris Raschka. ISBN 10-0786809140
Plot Summary:
The Hello Goodbye Window by Norton Juster refers to a window at a little girl's grandparents house. The book gives off great energy by the use of bright images. The story is happy and relaxing as the little girl tells of times she listened to her grandfather play the harmonica. The drawing on the kitchen table and pictures of loved ones by the sink gives a real-life visual of being at any grandparents' house. The little details simply make the story pleasant and very enjoyable.
Critical Analysis:
The Hello Goodbye Window by Norton Juster helps the readers develop fond memories of a little girl's grandparents, leaving readers feeling warm and safe. This book help develop mental pictures of when I was a little girl. It brought back all the fond memories of me spending time with my grandfather. I recalled all the funny stories he told me, he was a very good story teller. I also remember sitting on the back porch watching him clean his catch of the day. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday my grandfather went fishing and he would clean the fish in the back yard. I know watching someone clean fish does not sound very enjoyable but it was enjoyable for me because I know when he was finish we were eating some delicious fish for dinner. I recall eating fish every Friday and Saturday because those were my grandfather's fishing days. Recalling these memories made me feel a little sad also because I was left wishing to be with my grandfather. Norton Juster certainly capture my attention with this book, leaving me, the reader warm and fuzzy inside. I read this story to my sons and told them about my grandfather, which made for a lot of laughs; leaving my children with fond memories to share with their children one day. Thanks, Mr. Juster for rekindling my fond childhood memories of being with my grandfather.
Review Excerpt(s):
School Library Journal:
"The window in Nanna and Poppy's kitchen is no ordinary window-it is the place where love and magic happens.
Booklist:
"Two well-known names come together in a book that speaks to the real loves of children and their experiences.
Connections:
Have students illustrate or write about their own experiences with their grandparents, including special names such as "Nanna and Poppy" that they call their grandparents. Students could also create a family tree or illustrate their own Hello/Goodbye window. They could use a window for guide or focus point and add their fond memories such as picture (real pictures also) objects or cloths to make project more personal.
Juster, Norton. 2005. The Hello Goodbye Window. Micheal Di Capua Books: Hyperion Books for Children. Illustrator: Chris Raschka. ISBN 10-0786809140
Plot Summary:
The Hello Goodbye Window by Norton Juster refers to a window at a little girl's grandparents house. The book gives off great energy by the use of bright images. The story is happy and relaxing as the little girl tells of times she listened to her grandfather play the harmonica. The drawing on the kitchen table and pictures of loved ones by the sink gives a real-life visual of being at any grandparents' house. The little details simply make the story pleasant and very enjoyable.
Critical Analysis:
The Hello Goodbye Window by Norton Juster helps the readers develop fond memories of a little girl's grandparents, leaving readers feeling warm and safe. This book help develop mental pictures of when I was a little girl. It brought back all the fond memories of me spending time with my grandfather. I recalled all the funny stories he told me, he was a very good story teller. I also remember sitting on the back porch watching him clean his catch of the day. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday my grandfather went fishing and he would clean the fish in the back yard. I know watching someone clean fish does not sound very enjoyable but it was enjoyable for me because I know when he was finish we were eating some delicious fish for dinner. I recall eating fish every Friday and Saturday because those were my grandfather's fishing days. Recalling these memories made me feel a little sad also because I was left wishing to be with my grandfather. Norton Juster certainly capture my attention with this book, leaving me, the reader warm and fuzzy inside. I read this story to my sons and told them about my grandfather, which made for a lot of laughs; leaving my children with fond memories to share with their children one day. Thanks, Mr. Juster for rekindling my fond childhood memories of being with my grandfather.
Review Excerpt(s):
School Library Journal:
"The window in Nanna and Poppy's kitchen is no ordinary window-it is the place where love and magic happens.
Booklist:
"Two well-known names come together in a book that speaks to the real loves of children and their experiences.
Connections:
Have students illustrate or write about their own experiences with their grandparents, including special names such as "Nanna and Poppy" that they call their grandparents. Students could also create a family tree or illustrate their own Hello/Goodbye window. They could use a window for guide or focus point and add their fond memories such as picture (real pictures also) objects or cloths to make project more personal.
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