Jingle Dancer
Author: Cynthia Leitich Smith
Illustrator: Ying-Hwa Hu
William Morrow, 2000
32 Pages
Multicultural
This was such a sweet story about how Jenna wanted to carry on a cultural tradition in family. Tradition can sometimes dwindle through time and the shuffle of life. The excitement of a tradition can be brought back by just one person.
Jenna's Grandmother Wolfe was a jingle dancer. While watching an old video of her grandmother dancing, Jenna decided that she would also like to be a jinle dancer at the next powpow. She practiced but had only one problem. She did not have four rows of jingles to add to her dress. She went to various members of her family who would not be dancing in the PowPow and borrowed a row of jingles from each. She was able to follow her dream of becoming a jingle dancer at her tribe's powpow.
There are many neutral/earth tone colors in these pictures. The use of watercolors is apparent.
I would read this book to any grade level. They would more than likely all enjoy this story of a tradition being carried on by a granddaughter.
This would be a great social studies read. Many of us have Native American roots, so this would be a great way to showcase a culture that could be ours.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
#29 A Gift
A Gift
Author/Illustrator: Yong Chen
Boyds Mill Press, 2009
32 Pages
Multicultural
I liked the plot of thist story and decided to use it because, yet again, the importance of family in other cultures is apparent. I liked the way that Amy's family sent her a gift from China to keep them connected.
Amy is a Chinese-American girl who has never been to China. She has never been able to be a big part of the Chinese culture. Chinese New Year has arrived and her mother misses her family in China. She is homesick to see her two brothers and one sister. One day, a package and letter arrives for Amy. It is a necklace from her uncles and aunt. The letter tells how her uncle found a stone and took it to be carved. A dragon, which is a big symbol of the Chinese New Year, was seen inside the stone, so it was carved around it. Amy and her mother were extremely happy.
This book has full-page illustrations that look like mostly oil pastel. The pictures showed various characteristics of the Chinese cultures. I noticed deep red and jade green,which I often think about when I think of Chinese clothes and jewelry.
I would read this book to first-grade and above, especially if it was a group that contained Asian children. It would show them another culture that they might not know much about.
I am not sure of a specific subject that this would be appropriate for, but it would be a great read-aloud while talking about various cultures.
I found no awards for this book.
Author/Illustrator: Yong Chen
Boyds Mill Press, 2009
32 Pages
Multicultural
I liked the plot of thist story and decided to use it because, yet again, the importance of family in other cultures is apparent. I liked the way that Amy's family sent her a gift from China to keep them connected.
Amy is a Chinese-American girl who has never been to China. She has never been able to be a big part of the Chinese culture. Chinese New Year has arrived and her mother misses her family in China. She is homesick to see her two brothers and one sister. One day, a package and letter arrives for Amy. It is a necklace from her uncles and aunt. The letter tells how her uncle found a stone and took it to be carved. A dragon, which is a big symbol of the Chinese New Year, was seen inside the stone, so it was carved around it. Amy and her mother were extremely happy.
This book has full-page illustrations that look like mostly oil pastel. The pictures showed various characteristics of the Chinese cultures. I noticed deep red and jade green,which I often think about when I think of Chinese clothes and jewelry.
I would read this book to first-grade and above, especially if it was a group that contained Asian children. It would show them another culture that they might not know much about.
I am not sure of a specific subject that this would be appropriate for, but it would be a great read-aloud while talking about various cultures.
I found no awards for this book.
#28 Circle Unbroken
Circle Unbroken
Author: Margot Theis Raven
Illustrator: E.B. Lewis
Straus and Giroux, 2004
48 Pages
Multicultural
I thought this book looked very interesting when I saw the woven basket on the front. I started looking through the words and realized it was a story about family, where they come from, and their traditions.
A young girl is learning how to weave sweet grass baskets from her grandmother. All the while, her grandmother takes her on a journey back to South Africa where her great-grandfather made the baskets so tight that they would hold rain. He was sold into slavery and brought to America, where he later was able to start his family. This book depicts a tradition handed down for many generations.
The illustrations for this book are full-page watercolor. The drawings are very detailed, showing the aging face of the gradmother and the vivid lines of the village from where her grandfather came.
I would suggest this book for children from kindergarten up. They should be able to understand and relate to family traditions and the fact that most of our heritage comes from other countries.
This book might be good for History unit on slavery and how people were ripped from their homelands to work for little or nothing. It would be great to point out how the slaves had jobs and lives before being brought to America. There is a portion in the back that shows more information about sweet grass baskets like those made in Africa.
Author: Margot Theis Raven
Illustrator: E.B. Lewis
Straus and Giroux, 2004
48 Pages
Multicultural
I thought this book looked very interesting when I saw the woven basket on the front. I started looking through the words and realized it was a story about family, where they come from, and their traditions.
A young girl is learning how to weave sweet grass baskets from her grandmother. All the while, her grandmother takes her on a journey back to South Africa where her great-grandfather made the baskets so tight that they would hold rain. He was sold into slavery and brought to America, where he later was able to start his family. This book depicts a tradition handed down for many generations.
The illustrations for this book are full-page watercolor. The drawings are very detailed, showing the aging face of the gradmother and the vivid lines of the village from where her grandfather came.
I would suggest this book for children from kindergarten up. They should be able to understand and relate to family traditions and the fact that most of our heritage comes from other countries.
This book might be good for History unit on slavery and how people were ripped from their homelands to work for little or nothing. It would be great to point out how the slaves had jobs and lives before being brought to America. There is a portion in the back that shows more information about sweet grass baskets like those made in Africa.
#27 Voices of Ancient Egypt
Voices of Ancient Egypt
Author: Kay Winters
Illustrator: Barry Moser
National Geographic Childbooks, 2003
32 Pages
Multicultural
I chose this book because I thought that it would be interesting to look at what people did for a living in another part of the world, such as Egypt.
This is actually a poetry book that tells individual stories, depicting different jobs in Egypt. Each job and everything involved in it is described by a different worker. It really paints a broader picture of how each job was a contribution to the way this society ran.
Each poem has a large and colorful illustration. It looks as if pen and watercolor were mainly used.
I would show this book to first-grade and above. These students should be getting the idea of different civilizations and how they worked.
This book would be great to introduce while teaching simple economy. I would take a little time out to show the students how people in the world earn money or contribute to society.
Author: Kay Winters
Illustrator: Barry Moser
National Geographic Childbooks, 2003
32 Pages
Multicultural
I chose this book because I thought that it would be interesting to look at what people did for a living in another part of the world, such as Egypt.
This is actually a poetry book that tells individual stories, depicting different jobs in Egypt. Each job and everything involved in it is described by a different worker. It really paints a broader picture of how each job was a contribution to the way this society ran.
Each poem has a large and colorful illustration. It looks as if pen and watercolor were mainly used.
I would show this book to first-grade and above. These students should be getting the idea of different civilizations and how they worked.
This book would be great to introduce while teaching simple economy. I would take a little time out to show the students how people in the world earn money or contribute to society.
#26 George Washington Carver
George Washington Carver
Author/Illustrator: Tonya Bolden
Abrams Books, 2008
40 Pages
Non-Fiction
I chose this book because I remembered reading about George Washington Carver when I was younger. I was always impressed by him because he brought great history to the South.
After the death of his mother and the abolishment of slavery, George Washington Carver moved to Kansas to go to school. He enjoyed studying about plants. He later went to Alabama where Booker T. Washington needed someone to teach his students about horticulture at Tuskegee Institute. He worked to cultivate all sorts of things, including peanuts and their products.
There are drawings and photographs used as illustrations in this book. They highlight Carver's work and show what the South was like in that time period.
This would be a great book for students second-grade and above. They would enjoy learning how George Washington Carver developed so many other products from the seemingly simple peanut plant.
If Alabama History is still taught, this would be an incredible read for that subject. This would also be great to showcase and read for Black History Month.
Author/Illustrator: Tonya Bolden
Abrams Books, 2008
40 Pages
Non-Fiction
I chose this book because I remembered reading about George Washington Carver when I was younger. I was always impressed by him because he brought great history to the South.
After the death of his mother and the abolishment of slavery, George Washington Carver moved to Kansas to go to school. He enjoyed studying about plants. He later went to Alabama where Booker T. Washington needed someone to teach his students about horticulture at Tuskegee Institute. He worked to cultivate all sorts of things, including peanuts and their products.
There are drawings and photographs used as illustrations in this book. They highlight Carver's work and show what the South was like in that time period.
This would be a great book for students second-grade and above. They would enjoy learning how George Washington Carver developed so many other products from the seemingly simple peanut plant.
If Alabama History is still taught, this would be an incredible read for that subject. This would also be great to showcase and read for Black History Month.
#25 A Boy Named Beckoning: The True Story of Dr. Carlos Montezuma, Native American Hero
A Boy Named Beckoning: The True Story of Dr. Carlos Montezuma, Native American Hero
Author/Illustrator: Gina Capaldi
Carolrhoda Books, 2008
32 Pages
Non-Fiction
I chose this book because it is rare that I run across books that thell success stories of Native Americans. The fact that this man was able make something of himself and return to help his people is wonderful.
Wassaja was sold as a slave after his village burned down. Fortunately, the man who bought him, Carlo Gentile, took him under his wing as a son instead of a slave. He was raised well and became a doctor. He went back to the reservations and fought for the Native Americans as long as he lived.
There are many earth tones used in the illustrating of this book. Very colorful pages fill the book and show each emotion. There are some photographs in the book, which were actually taken by Carlo Gentile, who was a photographer who traveled the United States.
I would choose this book for any grade above third-grade. This book is quite wordy, but has a great deal of very good information. It would be beyond the grasp of younger children.
This book would be perfect for students to study during a unit on Native Americans and the treatment they endured. It would be a refreshing read considering the very happy ending.
I have found no awards for this book.
Author/Illustrator: Gina Capaldi
Carolrhoda Books, 2008
32 Pages
Non-Fiction
I chose this book because it is rare that I run across books that thell success stories of Native Americans. The fact that this man was able make something of himself and return to help his people is wonderful.
Wassaja was sold as a slave after his village burned down. Fortunately, the man who bought him, Carlo Gentile, took him under his wing as a son instead of a slave. He was raised well and became a doctor. He went back to the reservations and fought for the Native Americans as long as he lived.
There are many earth tones used in the illustrating of this book. Very colorful pages fill the book and show each emotion. There are some photographs in the book, which were actually taken by Carlo Gentile, who was a photographer who traveled the United States.
I would choose this book for any grade above third-grade. This book is quite wordy, but has a great deal of very good information. It would be beyond the grasp of younger children.
This book would be perfect for students to study during a unit on Native Americans and the treatment they endured. It would be a refreshing read considering the very happy ending.
I have found no awards for this book.
#24 Meet Abraham Lincoln
Meet Abraham Lincoln
Author: Patricia A. Pingry
Illustrator: Stephanie McFetridge Britt
Ideals Childrens Books, 2009
28 Pages
Non-Fiction
I opened this book and started reading to realize that it was a storybook version of the life of Abraham Lincoln. It tells in very simple, yet detailed, terms about his life as a young boy, how he became a lawyer and later a president, and then ended slavery. It paints a picture of how remember and honor him even today.
Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky in 1809. He and his family moved to Indiana in 1816. He lost his mother when he was nine years old, but his father later remarried. He loved to learn so he became a lawyer. He married Mary Todd, who gave him 4 children. He was elected President of the United States of America and did much for his country. He ended slavery when he issued the Emancipation Proclamation. He was later killed at Ford Theater in Washington D.C. by an actor named John Wilkes Booth.
The illustrations in this book look to be colored pencil, ink, and maybe a little oil pastel. There are pretty colors, as it almost looks cartoonish.
I would choose this book for any grade between first and third grade. The juvenile presence of it would most likely appeal more to that age group.
This book would be a great book to pull when talking about the end of slavery. There is information in the book about how Lincoln did not like the treatment and selling of slaves, thus leading him to later free them as President.
Author: Patricia A. Pingry
Illustrator: Stephanie McFetridge Britt
Ideals Childrens Books, 2009
28 Pages
Non-Fiction
I opened this book and started reading to realize that it was a storybook version of the life of Abraham Lincoln. It tells in very simple, yet detailed, terms about his life as a young boy, how he became a lawyer and later a president, and then ended slavery. It paints a picture of how remember and honor him even today.
Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky in 1809. He and his family moved to Indiana in 1816. He lost his mother when he was nine years old, but his father later remarried. He loved to learn so he became a lawyer. He married Mary Todd, who gave him 4 children. He was elected President of the United States of America and did much for his country. He ended slavery when he issued the Emancipation Proclamation. He was later killed at Ford Theater in Washington D.C. by an actor named John Wilkes Booth.
The illustrations in this book look to be colored pencil, ink, and maybe a little oil pastel. There are pretty colors, as it almost looks cartoonish.
I would choose this book for any grade between first and third grade. The juvenile presence of it would most likely appeal more to that age group.
This book would be a great book to pull when talking about the end of slavery. There is information in the book about how Lincoln did not like the treatment and selling of slaves, thus leading him to later free them as President.
#23 Silent Movie
Silent Movie
Author: Avi
Illustrator: C.B. Mordan
Atheneum/Anne Schwartz Books, 2003
64 Pages
Historical Fiction
I chose this book because silent movies have always been interesting to me. I have, however, only seen them depicted in other movies. I think that it would take much more imagination and immense concentration to truly understand the storyline of a silent movie. It makes me want to find one and view it, myself.
Gustave and his family wnt to move to America from Sweden. His father traveled to America first, leaving Gustave and his mother behind. About six months later, Gustave and his mother took their trip to join Father. In the midst of the crowd at the harbour, Gustave and his mother became lost and were not able to connect with his father. They were forced to make their way through New York alone as lost immigrants. A movie producer spotted Gustave and gave him a job as a child actor. This was the only way for them to survive for a while. Finally, one day Gustave's father decided to see a movie and realized that his son was actually in the production. He found his family and they finally realized their dreams. They were now Americans.
The illustrations are awesome for this book. Looking through the book is somewhat like watching a silent movie. The picutres are dark and the book has very little words; just enough words to convey the small point that the author is trying to get across to the reader. There are small pictures that seem to create movement throughout the book.
I think that this book would appeal to children of various ages. It would paint a picture that most of them have never seen before.
I would pull this book out in a history class while talking about the early 1900s, when so many immigrants were coming to become U.S. Citizens. This would be a great example while explaining how our country became a great melting pot of different cultures.
Author: Avi
Illustrator: C.B. Mordan
Atheneum/Anne Schwartz Books, 2003
64 Pages
Historical Fiction
I chose this book because silent movies have always been interesting to me. I have, however, only seen them depicted in other movies. I think that it would take much more imagination and immense concentration to truly understand the storyline of a silent movie. It makes me want to find one and view it, myself.
Gustave and his family wnt to move to America from Sweden. His father traveled to America first, leaving Gustave and his mother behind. About six months later, Gustave and his mother took their trip to join Father. In the midst of the crowd at the harbour, Gustave and his mother became lost and were not able to connect with his father. They were forced to make their way through New York alone as lost immigrants. A movie producer spotted Gustave and gave him a job as a child actor. This was the only way for them to survive for a while. Finally, one day Gustave's father decided to see a movie and realized that his son was actually in the production. He found his family and they finally realized their dreams. They were now Americans.
The illustrations are awesome for this book. Looking through the book is somewhat like watching a silent movie. The picutres are dark and the book has very little words; just enough words to convey the small point that the author is trying to get across to the reader. There are small pictures that seem to create movement throughout the book.
I think that this book would appeal to children of various ages. It would paint a picture that most of them have never seen before.
I would pull this book out in a history class while talking about the early 1900s, when so many immigrants were coming to become U.S. Citizens. This would be a great example while explaining how our country became a great melting pot of different cultures.
#22 January's Sparrow
January's Sparrow Author/Illustrator: Patricial Polocco
Michigan Notable Book, 2009
96 Pages
Historical Fiction
I chose this book because I was looking for something similar to Henry's Freedom Box. I really enjoyed that book and how it had such a great ending for Henry. I knew that there had to be more great stories about slaves and how they risked their lives for the freedom that they always deserved. This book was extremely long for a picture book, but by no means do I regret spending the time sitting in the bookstore reading every last word. It has officially become one of my favorite books.
The Crosswhite family were slaves in Kentucky.Sadie was the youngest of the family and had grown very close to an older slave boy named January, who carved her a sparrow out of wood. January had no family, so he was just like part of theirs. One day, after January had tried to escape, the Crosswhite family was made to stand on their porch as the slavemaster dragged January up the road behind a buggy and beat him to death before thier very eyes. Shortly after that, they all escaped. During the escape, Sadie realized that she had accidentally left January's sparrow behind. They made it to Michigan, where they lived for 4 years. During those four years, they constantly worried that their owners would find them. They knew they should get to Canada, where they knew they would be safe, but they stayed and had many friends looking out for them. Finally, one night, the sparrow appeard on their doorsteps. The men had found them, but so had January. He had not died. The men were jailed in the town for assault and, in the meantime, January and the Crosswhites ran to Canada where they were safe from then on.
The illustrations were gut-wrenchingly accurate to the horror that took place on plantations in those days. The blood and sorrowful expressions on the faces of the people depicted perfectly the reality of slave life. The colors change as the mood changes. It is very dark and scary as the famiy was in the process of making their way to safety. The colors got much more cheerful as the family settled in to their little town and made friends.
I think that this book would be much more appropriate for the older students, and perhaps even on into middle school. The graphic nature of the illustrations might disturb younger students, while by fourth or fifth grades, they will have already heard much about slavery and be more prepared for the illustrations.
This would be an excellent book to use for social studies. If I get an older group of students after I start teaching, I will definitely have this handy in my classroom for when we start talking about the oppression that slaves suffered before the Emancipation Proclamation freed them.
I did not find any awards for this book, however I do believe that it should have recieved some.
Michigan Notable Book, 2009
96 Pages
Historical Fiction
I chose this book because I was looking for something similar to Henry's Freedom Box. I really enjoyed that book and how it had such a great ending for Henry. I knew that there had to be more great stories about slaves and how they risked their lives for the freedom that they always deserved. This book was extremely long for a picture book, but by no means do I regret spending the time sitting in the bookstore reading every last word. It has officially become one of my favorite books.
The Crosswhite family were slaves in Kentucky.Sadie was the youngest of the family and had grown very close to an older slave boy named January, who carved her a sparrow out of wood. January had no family, so he was just like part of theirs. One day, after January had tried to escape, the Crosswhite family was made to stand on their porch as the slavemaster dragged January up the road behind a buggy and beat him to death before thier very eyes. Shortly after that, they all escaped. During the escape, Sadie realized that she had accidentally left January's sparrow behind. They made it to Michigan, where they lived for 4 years. During those four years, they constantly worried that their owners would find them. They knew they should get to Canada, where they knew they would be safe, but they stayed and had many friends looking out for them. Finally, one night, the sparrow appeard on their doorsteps. The men had found them, but so had January. He had not died. The men were jailed in the town for assault and, in the meantime, January and the Crosswhites ran to Canada where they were safe from then on.
The illustrations were gut-wrenchingly accurate to the horror that took place on plantations in those days. The blood and sorrowful expressions on the faces of the people depicted perfectly the reality of slave life. The colors change as the mood changes. It is very dark and scary as the famiy was in the process of making their way to safety. The colors got much more cheerful as the family settled in to their little town and made friends.
I think that this book would be much more appropriate for the older students, and perhaps even on into middle school. The graphic nature of the illustrations might disturb younger students, while by fourth or fifth grades, they will have already heard much about slavery and be more prepared for the illustrations.
This would be an excellent book to use for social studies. If I get an older group of students after I start teaching, I will definitely have this handy in my classroom for when we start talking about the oppression that slaves suffered before the Emancipation Proclamation freed them.
I did not find any awards for this book, however I do believe that it should have recieved some.
#21 Papa's Mark
Papa's Mark
Author: Gwendolyn Batlle- Lavert
Illustrator: Colin Bootman
Holiday House 2004
32 Pages
Historical Fiction
I chose this book because it really shows how unfortunate African-Americans were before they had rights. The fact that they were not priveleged enough to have an education really hindered their chances of being successful, even though some pushed through those boundries.
Simms' father has never been able to write his name. Instead, he always marked anything with an "X". For the first time, black men are allowed to vote and he wanted to learn how to write his name, so Simms teaches him.
This book was illustrated in what looked like watercolors and oils. The shadowing and detail are great and bring to reality the dark world that African-Americans lived in prior to their freedom.
I think this book would be great for third to fourth grade to read. It paints a really good picture of the oppression suffered by black men, trying to gain independence and rise above the ashes to make a life for their families.
I would pick this book for social studies. The Civil Rights Movement was a very important time in our history and this book takes us inside just one family's life. It shows what was truly important to them and how we take things like voting for granted, while this man was honored and wanted to make the very best of it.
There are no awards for this book that I know of.
Author: Gwendolyn Batlle- Lavert
Illustrator: Colin Bootman
Holiday House 2004
32 Pages
Historical Fiction
I chose this book because it really shows how unfortunate African-Americans were before they had rights. The fact that they were not priveleged enough to have an education really hindered their chances of being successful, even though some pushed through those boundries.
Simms' father has never been able to write his name. Instead, he always marked anything with an "X". For the first time, black men are allowed to vote and he wanted to learn how to write his name, so Simms teaches him.
This book was illustrated in what looked like watercolors and oils. The shadowing and detail are great and bring to reality the dark world that African-Americans lived in prior to their freedom.
I think this book would be great for third to fourth grade to read. It paints a really good picture of the oppression suffered by black men, trying to gain independence and rise above the ashes to make a life for their families.
I would pick this book for social studies. The Civil Rights Movement was a very important time in our history and this book takes us inside just one family's life. It shows what was truly important to them and how we take things like voting for granted, while this man was honored and wanted to make the very best of it.
There are no awards for this book that I know of.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
#20 Verdi
Verdi
Author: Janell Cannon
Illustrator: Janell Cannon
Harcourt Bradce & Co 1997
44 Pages
Fantasy
Once I discovered Janell Cannon's books, I kept looking for more by her. These are great educational tools for students who want a plot while learning about animals.
Not wanting to grow up and be boring like the other snakes in the jungle, Verdi does everything he can to stay yellow with stripes, to no avail. Once he does get older, he encounters more young snakes. They think he is to old to be fun, but he shows them different.
The medium used in these pictures are liquitex acrylics and prismacolor on bristol board. The colors of the snakes are very true to life. The shadowing is great for the detail of the jungle.
I would read this book aloud to first and second graders and would recommend it for independent reading for third and fourth graders.
This would also be an excellent book to pull out during a science unit on snakes. The information in the back gives details like life cycles, the regions in which most snakes live, and the names and characteristics of species.
Author: Janell Cannon
Illustrator: Janell Cannon
Harcourt Bradce & Co 1997
44 Pages
Fantasy
Once I discovered Janell Cannon's books, I kept looking for more by her. These are great educational tools for students who want a plot while learning about animals.
Not wanting to grow up and be boring like the other snakes in the jungle, Verdi does everything he can to stay yellow with stripes, to no avail. Once he does get older, he encounters more young snakes. They think he is to old to be fun, but he shows them different.
The medium used in these pictures are liquitex acrylics and prismacolor on bristol board. The colors of the snakes are very true to life. The shadowing is great for the detail of the jungle.
I would read this book aloud to first and second graders and would recommend it for independent reading for third and fourth graders.
This would also be an excellent book to pull out during a science unit on snakes. The information in the back gives details like life cycles, the regions in which most snakes live, and the names and characteristics of species.
#19 The Wizard Next Door
The Wizard Next Door
Author: Peter Glassman
Illustrator: Steven Kellogg
Publisher: Morrow Junior Books 1993 (didn't realize year until after I checked it out)
37 Pages
Fantasy
After reading this book about a boy and a wizard, I knew that it would be approprate storyline for the fantasy genre. It is a bit off the wall, which is something I have come to enjoy. This genre opens my mind and imagination.
The main character (narrator) in this story in convinced that his neighbor is a wizard. He sees all sorts of strange things happening when Mr. Myers is around, but no one else does. No one believes what the little boy tells them about his neighbor. After a day of having Mr. Myers as a substitute teacher at school, the boy is told by his neighbor that he really is a wizard. Mr. Myers teaches the boy lots of magic.
In this book, the illustrator used colored inks, water colors, and acrylics. The illustrations are great as far as the magical elements of the drawing of magic, potions, and the dragon.
This book would be excellent for grades kindergarten through 3. The elements of magic would intrigue them and the pictures would capture their attention and spark imagination.
This book would be good for a language arts lesson. I would start with a read aloud and then have the students write a story about what they would do if they had a wizard living next door to them. They would use a graphic organizer to organize their ideas.
There are no awards attached to this book.
Author: Peter Glassman
Illustrator: Steven Kellogg
Publisher: Morrow Junior Books 1993 (didn't realize year until after I checked it out)
37 Pages
Fantasy
After reading this book about a boy and a wizard, I knew that it would be approprate storyline for the fantasy genre. It is a bit off the wall, which is something I have come to enjoy. This genre opens my mind and imagination.
The main character (narrator) in this story in convinced that his neighbor is a wizard. He sees all sorts of strange things happening when Mr. Myers is around, but no one else does. No one believes what the little boy tells them about his neighbor. After a day of having Mr. Myers as a substitute teacher at school, the boy is told by his neighbor that he really is a wizard. Mr. Myers teaches the boy lots of magic.
In this book, the illustrator used colored inks, water colors, and acrylics. The illustrations are great as far as the magical elements of the drawing of magic, potions, and the dragon.
This book would be excellent for grades kindergarten through 3. The elements of magic would intrigue them and the pictures would capture their attention and spark imagination.
This book would be good for a language arts lesson. I would start with a read aloud and then have the students write a story about what they would do if they had a wizard living next door to them. They would use a graphic organizer to organize their ideas.
There are no awards attached to this book.
#18 Chickwing
Chickwing
Author: Janell Cannon
Illustrator: Janell Cannon
Harcourt Books 2000
43 Pages
Fantasy
I was actually unsure of any fantasy picture books for children. After a little research, I discovered Janell Cannon. She has really good story lines and there is normally some sort of moral to the stories.
Chickwing is a cockroach who got his name when his wing was injured by a toad's sticky tongue. None of the other insects and creatures in the forest respected him and they made fun of him. He was alone. He started bullying ants and their queen had them sieze him. Instead of giving him to the army ants, they released him. He wanted to help them save their colony, so he made an anteater to frighten the army ants away and keep them from killing the worker ant colony. The worker ants celebrated Chickwing from that day forward.
The mediums used in these illustrations include liquitex acrylics and prismacolor pencils on bristol board. The shadowing in these pictures make them realistic and pop out.
This would be a good book for kindergarten to third grade. The illustrations are bright and intriguing. The book teaches good character (helping friends).
I could think of two areas which could be taught from this book. For character education, I would teach on bullying and how Chickwing didn't like it when he was being bullied, yet he started bullying the worker ants so he could get some food. Another subject that this book could be used for might be science. This book would be great for a unit on different types of insects, but more specifically cockroaches. The back of the book has an array of information on cockroaches.
There are no awards or medals for this book.
Author: Janell Cannon
Illustrator: Janell Cannon
Harcourt Books 2000
43 Pages
Fantasy
I was actually unsure of any fantasy picture books for children. After a little research, I discovered Janell Cannon. She has really good story lines and there is normally some sort of moral to the stories.
Chickwing is a cockroach who got his name when his wing was injured by a toad's sticky tongue. None of the other insects and creatures in the forest respected him and they made fun of him. He was alone. He started bullying ants and their queen had them sieze him. Instead of giving him to the army ants, they released him. He wanted to help them save their colony, so he made an anteater to frighten the army ants away and keep them from killing the worker ant colony. The worker ants celebrated Chickwing from that day forward.
The mediums used in these illustrations include liquitex acrylics and prismacolor pencils on bristol board. The shadowing in these pictures make them realistic and pop out.
This would be a good book for kindergarten to third grade. The illustrations are bright and intriguing. The book teaches good character (helping friends).
I could think of two areas which could be taught from this book. For character education, I would teach on bullying and how Chickwing didn't like it when he was being bullied, yet he started bullying the worker ants so he could get some food. Another subject that this book could be used for might be science. This book would be great for a unit on different types of insects, but more specifically cockroaches. The back of the book has an array of information on cockroaches.
There are no awards or medals for this book.
#17 Marley Goes to School
Marley Goes to School
Author: Joe Grogan
Illustrator: Richard Cowdrey
Harper Collins 2009
32 Pages
Traditional
I chose this book because I have a black laborador and I absolutely love that breed of dog. Their huge feet and long tongues, even as a puppy, are hilarious. Just after I ran across this book and thumbed through it, memories of Ace being a puppy rushed back to me. He was always knocking things over, getting tangled into everything, and looking for adventure. I miss when he was a puppy.
Marley's pet, Cassie, was starting to school and was getting her supplies ready for class. Marley wanted to go but was not allowed; instead he was only allowed to stay in the back yard to avoid trouble. After Cassie's mom, dad, and baby brother left to walk her to school, Marley dug out of the fence and followed their scent to the school. It wasn't long before Marley got into lots of trouble at the school. He finally ran to Cassie and the family go him back.
The mediums are not listed for these illustrations, but they look like there are oil pastels used. The colors are rich and the shadowing is realistic.
I think this would be a good book for any grade up to third grade. Most children like dogs and other animals, so I believe that this adventurous story would really entertain them and keep them laughing.
I imagine this being a good book to pull word works from. It would also be good to read aloud and then discuss parts of speech from some of the passages.
Author: Joe Grogan
Illustrator: Richard Cowdrey
Harper Collins 2009
32 Pages
Traditional
I chose this book because I have a black laborador and I absolutely love that breed of dog. Their huge feet and long tongues, even as a puppy, are hilarious. Just after I ran across this book and thumbed through it, memories of Ace being a puppy rushed back to me. He was always knocking things over, getting tangled into everything, and looking for adventure. I miss when he was a puppy.
Marley's pet, Cassie, was starting to school and was getting her supplies ready for class. Marley wanted to go but was not allowed; instead he was only allowed to stay in the back yard to avoid trouble. After Cassie's mom, dad, and baby brother left to walk her to school, Marley dug out of the fence and followed their scent to the school. It wasn't long before Marley got into lots of trouble at the school. He finally ran to Cassie and the family go him back.
The mediums are not listed for these illustrations, but they look like there are oil pastels used. The colors are rich and the shadowing is realistic.
I think this would be a good book for any grade up to third grade. Most children like dogs and other animals, so I believe that this adventurous story would really entertain them and keep them laughing.
I imagine this being a good book to pull word works from. It would also be good to read aloud and then discuss parts of speech from some of the passages.
Monday, March 12, 2012
#16 Catching the Moon
Catching the Moon
Author: Myla Goldberg
Illustrator: Chris Sheban
Arthur A. Levine Books 2007
37 Pages
Traditional
I picked this book kup because of the artwork on the covver. I knew it would be something about nature. Once I opened it, I realized that one of the characters was the Man in the Moon. I actually grew up imagining there was a real man in the moon. It was just one of those innocent make-believe things children do. This made me somewhat relate to the book.
In this book, the main character, the fisherwoman, went every night to the dock to fish and was always tired the next day. The Man in the Moon worried about her. He began to visit her and they became friends. She informed him that the reason her house was in bad shape was because the high tide came in and destroyed it, along with the rest of the homes in the fishing village. She had been fishing for the moon the entire time to keep it from bringing the high tide in.
The mediums used by this illustrator are water color and prismacolor pencils on arches paper. The light depicted resembles Thomas Kinkade's artwork. The illustrations are mostly dark, since most of the setting is at night. Pretty purples, reds, and yellows are used to create great shadowing.
I would choose this book for third grade and up. It has more advanced vocabulary and content, so the students need to be a little older to get the idea of what the story means.
This book would be great to kick off a science unit on the moon and its tides. It would be a good read-aloud to bring out interest in the subject amongst the students.
Author: Myla Goldberg
Illustrator: Chris Sheban
Arthur A. Levine Books 2007
37 Pages
Traditional
I picked this book kup because of the artwork on the covver. I knew it would be something about nature. Once I opened it, I realized that one of the characters was the Man in the Moon. I actually grew up imagining there was a real man in the moon. It was just one of those innocent make-believe things children do. This made me somewhat relate to the book.
In this book, the main character, the fisherwoman, went every night to the dock to fish and was always tired the next day. The Man in the Moon worried about her. He began to visit her and they became friends. She informed him that the reason her house was in bad shape was because the high tide came in and destroyed it, along with the rest of the homes in the fishing village. She had been fishing for the moon the entire time to keep it from bringing the high tide in.
The mediums used by this illustrator are water color and prismacolor pencils on arches paper. The light depicted resembles Thomas Kinkade's artwork. The illustrations are mostly dark, since most of the setting is at night. Pretty purples, reds, and yellows are used to create great shadowing.
I would choose this book for third grade and up. It has more advanced vocabulary and content, so the students need to be a little older to get the idea of what the story means.
This book would be great to kick off a science unit on the moon and its tides. It would be a good read-aloud to bring out interest in the subject amongst the students.
#15 The First Day of Winter
The First Day of Winter
Author: Denise Fleming
Illustrator: Denise Fleming
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company 2005
27 Pages
Traditional
I thought this book was amazing because, although it is a newer book, it has the feel of a book from when I was younger. The author's own rendition of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is really sweet. Fall and winter are my favorite seasons, so I love books that magnify beauty and feelings of those seasons.
In this book, instead of the traditional "Twelve Days of Christmas", Fleming celebrated the first 10 days of winter. It is told from a snowman's perspective. Each day his best friend brings a different gift to him. Throughout the story, it looks as if the animals are bringing the gifts, but at the end, there is a small child who brings the 10 salty peanuts. What matters is that he has all he needs to be a cozy snoman.
The mediums used in these illustrations include colored cotton fiber, handcut stencils, and squeeze bottles. The images are not very sharp, but that makes it almost whimsical and dreamlike. All of the animals are looking up at the snowman, making their friendship more apparent
The age group I would choose this particular book for would be kindergarten and first-grade. The words are simpler and easier to understand. The content is really easy to comprehend and is repetative to help with fluency.
I would use this book for fluency and vocabulary purposes. Words and phrases are used over and over so after finding meaning of the words, the students can practice fluency with the remaining pages.
There are no awards attached to this book.
Author: Denise Fleming
Illustrator: Denise Fleming
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company 2005
27 Pages
Traditional
I thought this book was amazing because, although it is a newer book, it has the feel of a book from when I was younger. The author's own rendition of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is really sweet. Fall and winter are my favorite seasons, so I love books that magnify beauty and feelings of those seasons.
In this book, instead of the traditional "Twelve Days of Christmas", Fleming celebrated the first 10 days of winter. It is told from a snowman's perspective. Each day his best friend brings a different gift to him. Throughout the story, it looks as if the animals are bringing the gifts, but at the end, there is a small child who brings the 10 salty peanuts. What matters is that he has all he needs to be a cozy snoman.
The mediums used in these illustrations include colored cotton fiber, handcut stencils, and squeeze bottles. The images are not very sharp, but that makes it almost whimsical and dreamlike. All of the animals are looking up at the snowman, making their friendship more apparent
The age group I would choose this particular book for would be kindergarten and first-grade. The words are simpler and easier to understand. The content is really easy to comprehend and is repetative to help with fluency.
I would use this book for fluency and vocabulary purposes. Words and phrases are used over and over so after finding meaning of the words, the students can practice fluency with the remaining pages.
There are no awards attached to this book.
# 14 Sun Dance Water Dance
Sun Dance Water Dance
Author: Jonathan Landon
Illustrator: Greg Couch
Publisher: Dulton Childrens Books, 2001
27 Pages
Poetry
This book took me back to the days when I loved summertime more than anything else. It brings back memories of going to the cabin at the creek and staying all summer. When I was younger, I was never indoors during the summer. This text brings floods of wonderful memories back. Once I started reading, the rhythm of the words seemingly added music to the words. The children in the story play all day in the sun and water, comfortably in their bathing suits. After playing outside and getting hot the children run to the river to cool off. After their refreshing swim, they get out and play on the banks of the river, skipping stones. The children hop back into the water to play on intertubes in the rapids. When it starts getting later in the day the children head back to camp for food and drinks. The children soon go back down to the river and explore until they get hot enough to swim again. When the sun light is completely gone the children lay on the rocks and watch the fireflies and shooting stars.
The illustrations in this book are done in water color. The color pallet used contains many yellows, blues, and greens. The illustrator does an incredible job at creating the feeling of summer though the colors in the sky and environment.
This book would be great for students of any grade. Younger students would be able to connect on the way they spend their time in the summer, while older students would be able to reflect on those days. This book would be an excellent read-aloud for the end of the year activities. This book would get students excited for the summer vacation. There are many elements of poetry in this book and could be a great tool to use while teaching about those seasons of life. This book has no awards or honors.
Author: Jonathan Landon
Illustrator: Greg Couch
Publisher: Dulton Childrens Books, 2001
27 Pages
Poetry
This book took me back to the days when I loved summertime more than anything else. It brings back memories of going to the cabin at the creek and staying all summer. When I was younger, I was never indoors during the summer. This text brings floods of wonderful memories back. Once I started reading, the rhythm of the words seemingly added music to the words. The children in the story play all day in the sun and water, comfortably in their bathing suits. After playing outside and getting hot the children run to the river to cool off. After their refreshing swim, they get out and play on the banks of the river, skipping stones. The children hop back into the water to play on intertubes in the rapids. When it starts getting later in the day the children head back to camp for food and drinks. The children soon go back down to the river and explore until they get hot enough to swim again. When the sun light is completely gone the children lay on the rocks and watch the fireflies and shooting stars.
The illustrations in this book are done in water color. The color pallet used contains many yellows, blues, and greens. The illustrator does an incredible job at creating the feeling of summer though the colors in the sky and environment.
This book would be great for students of any grade. Younger students would be able to connect on the way they spend their time in the summer, while older students would be able to reflect on those days. This book would be an excellent read-aloud for the end of the year activities. This book would get students excited for the summer vacation. There are many elements of poetry in this book and could be a great tool to use while teaching about those seasons of life. This book has no awards or honors.
# 13 Is there Really a Human Race
Is there Really a Human Race
Author: Jamie Lee Curtis
Illustrator: Laura Cornell
Publisher: Joann Cotler Books, 2006
30 Pages
Poetry
I chose this book because I saw that Jamie Lee Curtis was the author and was intrigued. I have heard of celebrities writing childrens literature books, but have never had a chance to look at any of them. When I zeroed in on the title and looked at the boy on the cover wearing running clothes, I knew that it would be a funny story.At the beginning, it looks as if the little boy has heard the term "human race" instead of looking at the term as humanity, he imagines an actual race. He imagines that everyone who is a human is competing against one another to get somewhere faster than the others. He thinks it must start the day a baby is born. He wonders how to prepare and who he will race against. He quizes his mom about who will be on his team and what their prizes will be. Soon he realizes that going places fast is not always the best way to get there. The boys mom explains to him that doing your best and being helpful to others is more important than always winning. The mom tells her son that being a friend and being loving is most important in order to make the world a great place.
The illustrations in this book look to be watercolor. The colors in this book are very perfect matches for the text and use details and entertaining illustrations of all the different types of people in the world to give the character and reader a more clear understanding of the human race.
This book would be great for grades 3-6. I think the concepts in this book would be more understandable for higher grade levels who have higher order thinking skills and a more detailed understanding of the human nature and feelings for others. This book would be great for a character development lesson to teach students that what is really important in life is not always being eager to win, but being eager to make the world a better place by helping, loving, and contributing. This book has no awards or honors.
Author: Jamie Lee Curtis
Illustrator: Laura Cornell
Publisher: Joann Cotler Books, 2006
30 Pages
Poetry
I chose this book because I saw that Jamie Lee Curtis was the author and was intrigued. I have heard of celebrities writing childrens literature books, but have never had a chance to look at any of them. When I zeroed in on the title and looked at the boy on the cover wearing running clothes, I knew that it would be a funny story.At the beginning, it looks as if the little boy has heard the term "human race" instead of looking at the term as humanity, he imagines an actual race. He imagines that everyone who is a human is competing against one another to get somewhere faster than the others. He thinks it must start the day a baby is born. He wonders how to prepare and who he will race against. He quizes his mom about who will be on his team and what their prizes will be. Soon he realizes that going places fast is not always the best way to get there. The boys mom explains to him that doing your best and being helpful to others is more important than always winning. The mom tells her son that being a friend and being loving is most important in order to make the world a great place.
The illustrations in this book look to be watercolor. The colors in this book are very perfect matches for the text and use details and entertaining illustrations of all the different types of people in the world to give the character and reader a more clear understanding of the human race.
This book would be great for grades 3-6. I think the concepts in this book would be more understandable for higher grade levels who have higher order thinking skills and a more detailed understanding of the human nature and feelings for others. This book would be great for a character development lesson to teach students that what is really important in life is not always being eager to win, but being eager to make the world a better place by helping, loving, and contributing. This book has no awards or honors.
# 12 Giant Children
Giant Children
Author: Brod Bagert
Illustrator:Ted Arnold
Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2002
27 Pages
Poetry
I chose this book because I loved the imagination and humor in the poems. This book depicts the huge imagination of a child and points out some of the things children seems to be able to create in thier minds. There are poems about being excited or scared about school plays, boogers, chocolate, stinky boys, and tooth fairies. These poems take seemingly simple subjects and make them extremely dramatic, just like children ellaborate.
The illustrations in this book are done in color pencils and watercolor washes. The illustrator does an incredible job at depicting the funny expressions on the faces of the children and animals in each poem. The illustrations have plenty of bright colors in them to create a mood of edge. The illustrator uses plenty of squiggly lines which add to the composition of each illustration to make the pictures come to life and not seem so dull.
This book is appropriate for first through fourth grades. This book could be used to create a word work lesson involving rhyming, compoud words, and vocabulary. With a vocabulary lesson the book could be used as an example to introduce or ellaborate on adjectives and punctuations. This book has no awards or honors.
Author: Brod Bagert
Illustrator:Ted Arnold
Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2002
27 Pages
Poetry
I chose this book because I loved the imagination and humor in the poems. This book depicts the huge imagination of a child and points out some of the things children seems to be able to create in thier minds. There are poems about being excited or scared about school plays, boogers, chocolate, stinky boys, and tooth fairies. These poems take seemingly simple subjects and make them extremely dramatic, just like children ellaborate.
The illustrations in this book are done in color pencils and watercolor washes. The illustrator does an incredible job at depicting the funny expressions on the faces of the children and animals in each poem. The illustrations have plenty of bright colors in them to create a mood of edge. The illustrator uses plenty of squiggly lines which add to the composition of each illustration to make the pictures come to life and not seem so dull.
This book is appropriate for first through fourth grades. This book could be used to create a word work lesson involving rhyming, compoud words, and vocabulary. With a vocabulary lesson the book could be used as an example to introduce or ellaborate on adjectives and punctuations. This book has no awards or honors.
# 11 Johnny Appleseed
Johnny Appleseed
Author: Rosemary & Stephen Vincent Benet
Illustrator: S.D. Schindler
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2001
25 Pages
Poetry
I chose this book vecause I have always loved this story. I thought it would be too old to use, but then when I saw a newer cover and I opened it to find out a newer copyright date and the rhyme scheme let it fit into the poetry genre, I was very excitied.This story tells of a nomadic man named Johnathan Chapman who traveled all over planting apple trees for everyone. He was a seemingly humble man who simply wanted to give something that would stay around and keep giving. Wherever he traveled the people welcomed him. It is said that he never wore a hat, he simply wore a pot on his head. He was never overly famous, just remembered for his generosity.
The illustrations in this book were drawn in colored pencil. The nature within the illustrations are extremely accurate and lifelike. For example, the way Schnidler drew the apples with red tops and yellow bottoms truly depicts the way apples really ripen. The details and shadowing on the trees and leaves are awesome. The ilustrator does a great job at depicting the clothes and facial features of the characters.
This book is appropriate for any age. Kindergarteners and older students alike would enjoy this classic folktale. Most people have already heard of Johnny Appleseed, but many would benefit by hearing it in a poetic way. I could think of a couple of connections to make with this book. One connection might be in social studies and how settlers started building the environments (Indiana and Ohio are mentioned in this book). This book would also be a good read aloud addition to a science unit about the different types of trees and the fruits they produce. This book has no awards or honors.
Author: Rosemary & Stephen Vincent Benet
Illustrator: S.D. Schindler
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2001
25 Pages
Poetry
I chose this book vecause I have always loved this story. I thought it would be too old to use, but then when I saw a newer cover and I opened it to find out a newer copyright date and the rhyme scheme let it fit into the poetry genre, I was very excitied.This story tells of a nomadic man named Johnathan Chapman who traveled all over planting apple trees for everyone. He was a seemingly humble man who simply wanted to give something that would stay around and keep giving. Wherever he traveled the people welcomed him. It is said that he never wore a hat, he simply wore a pot on his head. He was never overly famous, just remembered for his generosity.
The illustrations in this book were drawn in colored pencil. The nature within the illustrations are extremely accurate and lifelike. For example, the way Schnidler drew the apples with red tops and yellow bottoms truly depicts the way apples really ripen. The details and shadowing on the trees and leaves are awesome. The ilustrator does a great job at depicting the clothes and facial features of the characters.
This book is appropriate for any age. Kindergarteners and older students alike would enjoy this classic folktale. Most people have already heard of Johnny Appleseed, but many would benefit by hearing it in a poetic way. I could think of a couple of connections to make with this book. One connection might be in social studies and how settlers started building the environments (Indiana and Ohio are mentioned in this book). This book would also be a good read aloud addition to a science unit about the different types of trees and the fruits they produce. This book has no awards or honors.
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