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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)