Monday, July 30, 2012
Non-Fiction (Government): How the Government Works
(by
Kathianne M. Kowalski)
The
fascinating story of how our brilliant constitution was developed is described. It provides a context for why checks and
balances were so important to the founding fathers. An overview of each branch of government
fills out the middle three sections, making this book the ideal one to start with when reading on the topic. The book concludes
with the relationship that citizens and the states have to each other and the
federal government. Photographs show government
officials, past and present, as well as everyday people working to make
their country a better place.
(by Robin
Nelson & Sandy Donovan)
The book
begins with a brief overview of the three branches. Then, the focus is on the basics of the House
of Representatives and the Senate, such as size and functions. Next,
the process of a bill becoming a law is described which begins with an idea and
ends with a vote. Congressmen and women
are shown going through the various stages, such as discussing it in a
committee and presenting it to other representatives. Finally, the bill is
presented to the President who must decide to sign or to veto it. This section illuminates what a president must
consider as he makes his decision, the time frame he has for it, and the signing
ceremony. Several photographs depict
presidents signing bills into laws. The
books, especially the ones on the 3 branches, do have some overlapping information. It is beneficial for youngsters to see how
interconnected they are with one another.
I, also, like that the narrative goes beyond simple fact. The authors work to make it personal and relevant.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Middle Grade Reader: Mockingbird (Katherine Erskine)
Summary of Mockingbird (by Kathryn Erskine):
(from School Library Journal)
From inside Caitlin's head, readers see the very personal
aftermath of a middle school shooting that took the life of the older brother
she adored. Caitlin is a bright fifth grader and a gifted artist. She also has
Asperger's syndrome, and her brother, Devon, was the one who helped her
interpret the world. Now she has only her father, a widower who is grieving
anew and whose ability to relate to his daughter is limited. A compassionate
school counselor works with her, trying to teach her the social skills that are
so difficult for her. Through her own efforts and her therapy sessions, she
begins to come to terms with her loss and makes her first, tentative steps
toward friendship.
Evaluation:
Mockingbird immediately grabbed me and did not let go until
the last page was turned—even then, it still held my heart-strings. I was absolutely fascinated with Caitlin’s
thought-processes and the way she saw the world. I laughed—a lot. I was on the verge of tears—many times. The characterization broadened my perspective
on people in general, but most specifically, people who have disabilities. Kathryn Erskine has written a novel that
maintains that delicate balance of being relevant and engaging for middle
graders while also being thought-provoking and timeless for all readers. I, especially, recommend this book for teachers because it humanizes and
illuminates those students we often misunderstand. Mockingbird is a book that will not be soon forgotten.
Picture Books (Science): Life Cycles
As an adult, I found myself expanding my own schema of knowledge, but the information is written in a manner that youngster will understand. The text is well-written and appealing. One of the highlights is the large, vibrant photographs of their stages and behaviors. Many are rare action shots like a mole eating a worm or a snail laying eggs.
I recommend this Life Cycle series for ages 7 and up. In addition to the earthworm and snail, the following living things are covered: butterfly, chicken, clown fish, daisy, fern, frog, human, ladybug, polar bear, and snake. These books are a wonderful supplement or extension of a science curriculum. Many families will, also, find them to be educational leisure reading.
This post is linked up with Science Sunday at Adventures of Mommydom.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Poetry Friday: Builder Goose: It’s Construction Rhyme Time!
I picked up Builder Goose: It’s Construction Rhyme Time! a few weeks ago because it looked so
darn adorable! I finally had a chance to
read it today. I was right: It is so darn adorable! Boni Ashburn, of whom I am already a fan, has
rewritten popular nursery rhymes and given each one a construction theme. he book begins with “Here We Go ‘Round the
Construction Site” where the precious animal characters “make the plans on a
sunny Monday morning” and ends with “Twinkle, Twinkle, Wrecking Ball” which
pictures a wrecking ball waiting for the next morning to knock down a
wall. The animals are clocking out and
leaving the site. In between, this
entertaining anthology will delight young listeners with familiar tunes and
trucks pouring concrete, fixing bridges, grading the soil, excavating the land,
and much more. Artist Sergio De Giorgi
has created energetic illustrations, with lots of vivid colors and sweet
expressions. He uses the same group of
animals throughout that include a pig, a duck, giraffe, dog, cat, and others. I recommend Builder Goose: It’s Construction Rhyme Time! for youngsters ages 0-5.
A
couple selections below give readers a peek:
“The
Itsy-Bitsy Skid Steer”
The
itsy-bitsy skid steer
drove up the
steep dirt hill,
stockpiled rock
with nimbleness
and skill.
Up can the
loader to haul it all away,
and the
itsy-bitsy skid steer
kept working
hard all day.
“Little
Jackhammer”
Little
jackhammer
gets all the
glamour
of busting
up worn-out concrete.
Gets rid of
the old
(it’s hard
work, I’m told!),
so workers can pave the new street.
Visit Life is Better with Books for other Poetry Friday posts!
Fairy Tale Friday: Cinderella
In preparation
for Fairy Tale Friday, I have been reading versions of Cinderella from various
cultures. I am making careful notes in my study. I was hoping
to complete it in time for this week's post, but I don’t want to rush it. The post
will have to wait one more week. Instead, I am sharing two of my favorite
picture book retellings of Cinderella.
The text is
adapted from The Arthur Rackham Fairy Book (1923) and Andrew Lang’s
The Blue Fairy Book (1889). The
story follows the familiar plot line: Father
remarries and dies shortly after. The stepmother
and her two daughters treat Cinderella like a slave while they live lavishly. Like the movie Ever After though, Cinderella
actually meets the prince prior to the ball.
He sees her in the woods and becomes enamored with her beauty. She is helping an injured bird, but quickly
(and ashamedly) excuses herself and runs off.
After the step –sisters leave for the ball, the bird Cinderella helped
turns into a beautiful fairy. Like the
Disney movie, the fairy turns a pumpkin, mice, rats, and lizards into the
servants, horses, and coachmen. There
are two nights of dancing before Cinderella loses her glass
slipper. The prince scourers the kingdom
until he finds her. After they marry,
they are renowned as “the fairest and kindest rulers the people had ever known.” With only a few changes, this version follows
the most commonly known one in America:
Disney’s. The breath-taking
illustrations in Craft's picture book make it stand out!
Craft states, “The illustrations for this story depict an imaginary
setting around the time of Voltaire, who lived in seventeenth- and eighteenth-century
France.” Most of the layouts have a
full-paged framed picture on one side and the text on the other. To highlight pivotal plot details, occasion two-page
spreads are used. I am a huge fan of
Craft's soft coloring and intricate details which give the pictures a magical-essence. Her style beautifully compliments fairy tale retellings. If you
(or a little one in your home) are a fan of Cinderella tale, you MUST check this
one out!
Cinderella (by Amy Ehrlich, illustrated by Susan Jeffers):
Ehrlich uses
the Charles Perrault version which has many similarities to the accounts Craft
utilized. Interestingly, in this one the
father does not die, but rather, he is ruled by his new wife entirely. As a
result, Cinderella does not ever complain to him. There is no pre-ball meeting between her and
the prince. Her godmother, a fairy,
visits her after everyone has left for the ball. She uses magic to transform objects into all
that Cinderella needs for a memorable arrival at the palace.
While at the ball, Cinderella shows her good-nature by sharing a special
treat with her sisters. At the end, the
two sisters beg for forgiveness. Not only does she forgive them, but she also gives them a place in the palace.
I adore Jeffers' illustrations which use fine-lines and delicate
colors. Like Craft, she uses the
eighteenth-century attire and setting as her inspiration. Her life-like expressions and details spill over to make two-page spreads that envelop and energize the narrative, making this book a must-read!
What is your favorite version of Cinderella? Please share in the comments, which enters you in the Fairy Tale Friday July Giveaway.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Love, Mouserella (by David Ezra Stein)
Summary of Love,Mouserella (by David Ezra Stein):
Young
Mouserella misses her Grandmouse after a recent visit with her. On her mother’s prompting, Mouserella writes
a letter to her Grandmouse, sharing some of the highlights of the past week like visiting a museum, experiencing a blackout, and creating sunflower seed
parachutes. The letter is full of
snapshots of the family activities and drawings from Mouserella. It ends with a picture of the young mouse
blowing a kiss to her Grandmouse.
Evaluation:
Love,Mouserella
is an entertaining read. Mouserella’s
creative and playful personality exudes from the pages. The illustrations are exuberant and
colorful. The writing is in a child-like
crayon print, including fixed mistakes and doodles. I decided to highlight this book because I
hope it will be a spring board for letter writing, at home or school. Children can see that writing a letter is not
difficult, nor does it have to be “perfect.”
A personal letter can be lots of fun to create with personal touches,
like drawn pictures, photographs, and even small “gifts.”
Teaching Opportunities:
Home: Pick a
friend or family member to write to. Plan
a week of fun experiences which can range from home activities (crafts, games,
experiments, cooking) to outings (movies, parks, museums, local attractions). Throughout the week, allow your child(ren) to
write (using pens, color pencils, crayons, or markers) a couple sentences about the day and illustrate them and/or add pictures
(print them from the computer). At the end of the week, send it off in the mail. (Make sure it includes a date, greeting, and salutation).
School: Read Love, Mouserella during a unit on
personal letter writing. Provide colored pencils, crayons, and
markers. Allow children to write
following Mouserella’s model—using pictures, photographs, and daily
experiences.
Back to School: Toddlers and Early Childhood
Eric Hill, author of the Spot series, has
created a flap book called Spot Goes to School. When
Spot arrives at school with his mother, the child-listener opens a door flap, revealing
the teacher and a group of students welcoming him. This depiction allows children to see that
school is a safe and friendly place.
Next, Spot feels a little apprehensive during song time (something he
feels he is not prepared to do). The child-listener opens a flap to see him hiding under a table with the caption, “I can’t sing…” This situation is ideal for discussing a
child’s fears about school or strategies for dealing with uncomfortable moments. Then, the youngsters play dress-up, build
with block, and paint on easels. Each page
has a flap where the child-listener can “find” Spot having fun with his
classmates. Other activities that are
depicted are story time, recess, and show and tell. Parents can talk about the various fun
activities (such as the ones pictured) that the child can look forward to. When Spot’s mom arrives to take him home, he
is so involved in all the excitement of the day that he does not want to
leave!
Lauren
Thompson, creator of Mouse’s First series, has a wonderful book called
Mouse’s First Day of School.
Mouse crawls into a new hiding place:
A backpack. He ends up in a new
place to explore. Using vivid colors and
endearing illustrations, mouse finds many wonderful objects in the
classroom. He jumps down and finds
blocks, a car, and a drum. He scurries up on the shelf where he discovers books and plants. In a corner, there are shapes and puzzles. All
around the room there are thrilling sights!
Thompson also utilizes onomatopoeia in many of her descriptions, such as
“Sssip, slurp, crunch snacks!” and “Clang, bang, stir pots!” Other pictures have wonderful descriptive
words like “Viny, climby, twiny plants!” and “Feathery, floppy, boppy hats!” The best part of the room is that it is full
of “wiggly, giggly, best of all friends!”
Mouse’s First Day of School is
a wonderful book for developing early language and reading skills as parents can
point out rhyming words, alliteration, sound words (onomatopoeia), action
words, and much more! The simple poetic
text makes it fun for children to read along.
Ultimately, the book portrays school
as a stimulating and lively place.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Fairy Tale Friday: Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters (by John Steptoe)
It is Fairy Tale Friday! As much as I love fairy
tales, I have been so busy that I have had little time to read them
lately. I am revisiting a tale I have
read for years. It was actually
introduced to me in my first children’s literature course. As I reread it, I was struck by the gorgeous
illustrations and pleased with the beautiful storytelling.
Summary of Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale
(by John Steptoe)
Mufaro lives in a small village with his two beautiful daughters: Manyara and Nyasha. Manyara is bad tempered and proud. She treats her sister cruelly, but carefully,
for her father is oblivious to it. Nyasha
always responds with kindness and humbleness.
She spends her time working a small plot of land that grows food abundantly. A snake, she calls him Nyoka, is her
companion as she works. One day, the king calls for all the worthy
single women to come to the city, so he can choose a wife. Manyara leaves for the journey in the middle
of the night, in hopes of beating her sister and the others. She
comes across a hungry boy who requests a bite to eat. Of course, Manyara yells at him and leaves
him with nothing. Then, she is warned by
an old woman of some situations ahead, but in her pride Manyara ignores
her. When she finally goes before the
king, she finds a hideous monster who reveals her faults to her. Nyasha travels with her village the next
morning. Seeing the young boy, she immediately
offers him her lunch. For the old
woman, she gives her a pouch of sunflower seeds. The pure-hearted daughter passes the tests
that lie ahead. When she goes in to see
the king, there is something entirely different in the chamber.
Evaluation
Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters won the Caldecott Honor award for its illustrations. For inspiration, Steptoe effectively used the
ruins of an ancient city in Zimbabwe as well as the flora and fauna of the
region. The true nature’s and personalities’ of the
girls comes through his realistic and powerful depictions. The storytelling is tight, not a wasted word
or scene. Everything comes full-circle,
producing a satisfying ending both emotionally and structurally. Even though the plot elements are very
different than the Western Cinderella stories, Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters is
categorized as one. It challenged me to
consider: What makes a fairy tale a “Cinderella”
story? I’d like to hear what you
think. I will share my thoughts next
week.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Back to School: Hooray for the First Day!
To balance the First Day Anxiety post, these selections build up excitement for the first day of school! The first two are specific to kindergarten, but the last two have a general “back to school” theme.
The countdown has begun: School starts in one week! Each day, enthusiasm for kindergarten is built up as the child thinks about what she will learn (counting, writing, letters) and what she will experience (show & tell, making friends, playing games). The narrative is written in a lively poetic form with rhyming words and other sound devices foundational for early reading skills. In addition, the days of the week, numbers, and counting backwards are reviewed seamlessly in the narrative. The pictures exude imagination and energy as the child goes through her daily activities in preparation for the big day, doing things like counting, observing, and packing up. Kindergarten Countdown focuses on all there is to anticipate as the school year approaches, offering listeners an opportunity to share what they look forward to learning and to doing.
Using the famed “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” poem model, Wing builds anticipation for the first day. The narrative begins with both a boy and a girl making preparations for the big day. Once they fall asleep, “visions of school supplies [dance] in their heads.” Next, the pictures show scenes from a typical morning and end with “kids [posing] for pictures with eyes sparkling bright.” There is lots of zest as parents bring their children into the classroom and, then, observe them playing and singing. The children are adjusting well, but the parents are a different story:
When what to her wondering eyes
should appear
but sad moms and dads
who were holding back tears!
Their noses—so sniffly!
Their eyes---red and wet!
This was the saddest good-bye
Miss Sunrise had seen yet!
The children give their parents a final hug before they leave. Young listeners will enjoy this entertaining reversal while being assured that school will be a positive experience. I recommend The Night Before Kindergarten as a First Day Eve read.
Ivy Green, along with her peers, is preparing for school by buying new shoes and purchasing school supplies. Meanwhile, the school workers (custodian, teacher, principle, bus driver) are seen preparing for the children’s arrival. Next, the night time routines are shown of the school workers and Ivy. As they fall into a slumber, their dreams illustrate their first day fears. Finally, the day arrives, and everything runs smoothly. First Day, Hooray! is unique because it reveals how each person has a part in making the school day successful, urges children to see things through the perspectives of others, and assures them that they are not the only ones with anxiety and preparations. It ends on the assumption that school is something to savor and to enjoy.
Nicholas and his father go into town for school preparations—hair cut, school supplies, shoes—and for some last minute summer fun. They meet various friends who share their experiences preparing for the new school year as well as their concerns when they started last year. Each situation ends with humor and/or optimism. As the day comes to a close, Nicholas cannot wait for his new year to begin! The illustrations are vivid and animated. Rockwell’s First Day of School is remarkable because it focuses on older children sharing their experiences and eagerness which can be comforting to younger listeners looking to their peers for solace.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Back to School: First Day Anxiety
It is tough
to divide the books available into categories because there is so much
overlap. For this post, the focus is on the
anxiety related to the first day, such as separating from parents, experiencing
a new place/routine, avoiding embarrassing moments, and making new friends. Most
of these stories can be used with either preschool and kindergarten children.
My First Day at Nursery School
(by Becky Edwards)
The
narrative opens with a young girl eating breakfast and thinking about the very
important day ahead of her. It is her
first day of nursery school. When she
arrives at school though, she has second thoughts about staying. Despite the colorful environment and warm
people, only one thing is on this young girl’s mind: “I want my mommy.” She becomes distracted by the various new
toys all around her. After a while, she
begins missing her mommy again—but not for long. Painting with her classmates quickly and positively
redirects her attentions. Her longing
for mother continues to creep up, each time with less intensity as those
feelings are replaced with the wonder and energy of classroom exploration. When her mommy comes to pick her up, the
young girl has one thing on her mind: “I
want to stay at nursery school.” This
book beautifully depicts those mixed emotions that many children feel during
this vital transition into independence.
The colorful pictures are appealing and active. My
First Day at Nursery School is the perfect way to prepare your preschooler
for this new adventure.
What Did You Do Today?
(by Toby Forward)
Mother and
son pack their lunches together on the first day of school. After one last hug, they separate. The narrative shows the corresponding experiences
of the pair. While the child is learning
his classmates’ names, his mother is greeting her co-workers by name. As the boy practices his letters, his mother
is at her computer typing and working.
During clean-up at school, mother is washing up her coffee cup in the
break room. As their routines come to a
close, the mother rushes to pick her son up.
They walk away hand-in-hand, talking about the day. The narrative is general enough it can apply
to either preschool or kindergarten. The parallel activities make this story an
enriching read. The child listener can
see that his/her routine has many similarities to the adult work world. Also, it is clear that even though they are
apart, the mother often thinks of her son and she can’t wait to be reunited
with him. This depiction assures
children that they remain close in heart, if not in proximity.
I Am Too Absolutely Small for School (Lauren Child)
Lola does
not believe she is big enough to go to school.
Besides, she could hardly find the time to go with everything there is
to do at home. Charlie, her older
brother, attempts to entice her with the idea of school by sharing with her everything
she will learn, such as her numbers up to 100 (which she does not need to know
because there is no reason to have to count further than 10) and her letters
(which she does believes is unnecessary because she can call people on the phone
instead of writing). Charlie creates
entertaining scenarios for why she needs to learn these skills. Then, she expresses her fears on what
to wear, making friends, and eating in the cafeteria. Lola’s fears are evaded with a little big brother wisdom. She has a successful first day…she even
brings home a new friend. I Am
Too Absolutely Small for School tackles many first day anxieties with
sensitivity and humor.
The format
of this picture book is different from all the others I reviewed. The roles are reversed. A young boy receives some "coaching” on how to prepare his dinosaur friend for his first day of school. Hypothetical questions are asked and answered. For example:
“What if you got to the
school gates, but Dinosaur wrapped his sharp claws around the fence and said in
his timid dinosaur voice, ‘But it’s too big.
I’ll get lost.’
You’d say, ‘Don’t be
silly! You can’t get lost because our
classroom is just the right size for dinosaurs.’”
Several
common fears are addressed in a similar manner with a positive outlook and
entertaining illustrations portraying typical school preparation and activities. Dinosaur
Starts School effectively uses humor and a child “expert” to help
navigate the first day nervousness felt by many children.
Further Reading:
I Am Not Going to School Today (by Robie H. Harris)
I Don’t Want to Go to School!
(by Stephanie Blake)
Will I Have a Friend?
(by Miriam Cohen)
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Non-Fiction Monday: Barnum Brown: Dinosaur Hunter (by David Sheldon)
On February 12, 1873, William and Clara Brown were blessed with a son. Inspired by the great showman P.T. Barnum, they named their child Barnum. Like his name sake, he grew into an extraordinary young man. His family farm was on a site that had once been an ocean. He loved spending his days exploring and finding fossils of ancient sea creatures. His family often read the newspaper accounts of great dinosaur discoveries. These experiences prompted Barnum to long to discover a new dinosaur. After studying paleontology, he landed a job at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. He was sent on in search of dinosaur fossils. His many discoveries are highlighted, leading scientists to a greater understanding of the field and prompting a fascination in the American public.
Evaluation:
David Sheldon wrote and illustrated Barnum Brown: Dinosaur Hunter. The textured, multi-dimensional illustrations are a mixture of India ink, gouache, and acrylic paint. They often mix the fantastic with the realistic, illuminating Barnum’s imagination and reality. Sheldon pulls relevant details from Barnum’s early life to reveal how he developed his passion and work ethic. The high points of his professional contributions are depicted with enthusiasm and fascination. This book is a wonderful contribution to biography, history, and science. Much is published about the discoveries but little is readily available about those who helped develop and shape the knowledge we possess. I recommend Barnum Brown: Dinosaur Hunter as part of a dinosaur unit study or leisure reading at home. It is ideal for ages 7 and up.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Middle Grade Reader: Middle School the Worst Years of My Life
It is Marvelous Middle Grade Monday, hosted by Shannon Messenger. I have seen James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts’ Middle School the Worst Years of My Life everywhere, from the Barnes and Nobles to Kroger to the library. I had to read what it is all about…
Summary:
Rafe, a sixth grader, struggles with his peer relationships, his classes, and his home life. His sole friend is Leo the Silent. The only thing Rafe finds fulfilling about middle school is figuring out how to break all the rules in the school handbook. Home is anything but ideal. His mother works all of the time to support the family while her “fiancé” lies around watching TV and emptying the fridge. Rafe, along with Leo, makes breaking all the school rules not only a goal, but a game. His “accomplishments” temporarily make him feel successful, but his failing grades and strained relationship with his mom make him feel sad and worthless. Rafe is desperately trying to figure out how he fits into the world. Unfortunately, he is drawing A LOT of negative attention to himself in the process.
Evaluation:
The Good…The journal format is VERY popular right now. The protagonist has an amazing imagination and artistic gift. The creative drawings, interesting plot elements, and the engaging narrative voice make it a big draw for middle grade readers, especially reluctant ones. I was drawn in right away and highly motivated to keep reading.
The Bad…In much of the narrative, Rafe is making poor choices, like bullying a bully, breaking school rules, lying to his mother, stealing from others, and ignoring his class assignments.
The Conflicting…There are a few things that I felt conflicted by as I read. [SPOILER] Several pages into the novel, Rafe reveals that his best friend is not a person. He is an imaginary friend. This element seemed off to me. Rafe is not six. He is in sixth grade! At the end of the novel though, his origin is revealed, which makes his function in the book more meaningful and understandable. Also, I was really creeped out by the fiancé (referred to as “Bear”) living with the family. He is mean to the children, treats the mother poorly, and does not even earn his keep. Even though the children hate him (and for good reason), the mother allows him to be their primary guardian since she is working most of the time. The situation made me feel uneasy. Finally, as an adult reader, I could see that Rafe is acting out as a result of his home life and his lack of self-identity. Part of the self-identity crisis is that Rafe is a non-traditional, but gifted student. Fortunately, he has a teacher who recognizes the situation and works to help him. While I could see that Rafe's mischief is a cry for help, I wonder if middle grade readers will pick up on it or if they will see the narrative as a glorification of defiance and irreverence.
As a parent and an educator, I recommend Middle School the Worst Years of My Life with some reservation. I realize there are children out there like Rafe or those who have experienced many of the same situations/choices. As a result, it is relevant to reflect it as a slice of life. On the other hand, I do have great concern about the growing atmosphere of disrespect that all forms of media are fostering in young people with little guidance or consequences. Many young readers will enjoy the voice, style, and plot. The book could definitely be used as a discussion platform about bullying, poor choices, consequences, family relationships, and many other relevant areas.
As a parent and an educator, I recommend Middle School the Worst Years of My Life with some reservation. I realize there are children out there like Rafe or those who have experienced many of the same situations/choices. As a result, it is relevant to reflect it as a slice of life. On the other hand, I do have great concern about the growing atmosphere of disrespect that all forms of media are fostering in young people with little guidance or consequences. Many young readers will enjoy the voice, style, and plot. The book could definitely be used as a discussion platform about bullying, poor choices, consequences, family relationships, and many other relevant areas.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Fairy Tale Friday: Susan Jeffers
It is FairyTale Friday, a weekly meme I co-host with Literary Transgressions. All bloggers are invited to link up their
fairy tale posts here. Everyone can join
in by commenting. Also, see the FairyTale Friday July Giveaway.
This week I
am highlighting Susan Jeffers who has illustrated dozens of books. She often partners with author Amy Ehrlich on
fairy tale retellings. The
Wild Swans and The Snow Queen are lesser known
tales from Han Christian Andersen’s nineteenth century collection. These stories have a few things in common. First, they do not offer idealistic Disney
versions of life. In both, the protagonists
endure real hardships. The people they
encounter are often evil like the robbers who threaten to slit a girl’s throat,
a child who enjoys watching animals suffer, and lamias clawing the Earth with
long bony fingers! Of course, early
fairy tales did include such evils and much worst! Furthermore, despite a few minor scary references,
both protagonists are admirable. They
suffer great hardships, even risking their own lives, to save people they love. Positive character qualities abound, such as
determination, goodness, innocence, self-discipline, self-sacrifice, and
perseverance. These qualities appear to be important to the people of the nineteenth century since they are so often found in early fairy tale collections. Finally, Susan Jeffers’
illustrations brilliantly capture the original era they were written in with intricate
details as well as vivid colors contrasting with neutrals shades. I love her realistic portrayals of the characters and settings with large, captivating illustrations, adding a wonderful layer to the stories.
Kai and
Gerda are next-door neighbors and bosom friends. After a brief encounter with the Snow Queen
one late winter’s night, Kai changes. He
becomes mean and distant. The following
winter he wishes to show off in front of the other boys by tying his sled to a
cart traveling by. Rather than freeing
himself after a short ride, he becomes entranced by its driver: The Snow Queen. Kai disappears from the village. All believe he died in the nearby frozen river. Gerda doesn’t though. She goes on a great quest in search of her
beloved friend where she visits an old woman who enchants her into staying, a
king and queen who provide her with supplies, and a group a robbers who take
everything. Nothing dissuades her from
her search. The mighty Snow Queen is no
match for Gerda, whose love, goodness, and innocence easily break the spell
enslaving Kai.
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In a far away kingdom, a king lives in a palace with his 11 sons and 1 daughter. The children have an idyllic life. After some years have passed, the king marries a wicked woman who hates the children. She sends the daughter, Elise, to live with some farmers. The princes are condemned to live as wild swans, uttering strange and mournful cries while wandering through the skies. When Elise turns 15 years old, she returns to the castle. The queen is threatened by her beauty and goodness, so she once again successfully banishes her. Elise goes in search of her beloved brothers. When she finds them, they travel to a distant land together. While there, she learns how to break the spell on her brothers, but it requires her to overcome physical and emotional hardships. Not only that, Elise is not able to utter a word until the task is complete which becomes even more challenging when she is condemned to death for something she did not do. Her love for her family and her perseverance, help her overcome and break the spell.
I would love to hear about your experience with Jeffers' work or tell about your favorite lesser known fairy tale. All comments are welcomed.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Summer Lovin Giveaway Hop
I am a Reader, Not a Writer is hosting the Summer Lovin Giveaway Hop. The prize must be a romance novel for this giveaway. I do not read a lot of romance novels, so I am going to highlight, again, Jessica Grey’s Awake since it was such a popular giveaway. It is a modern fairy tale with romance, magic, and suspense. Enter for a chance to win with the rafflecopter entry form below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Monday, July 9, 2012
Nonfiction Monday: Henry Aaron's Dream (by Matt Tavares)
Summary of Henry Aaron’s Dream (by Matt Tavares):
Henry Aaron
had a big dream: Be a big-league
baseball player. Even though he did not
have a real ball or bat, he used whatever he could—broom handle, stick, tin
can, rags tied together. He only played
in his yard, but he imagined he was in the big leagues. It was the 1940’s. There were no colored ballplayers. Henry held on to his dream though. In 1947, Jackie Robinson, a black ballplayer,
began playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Henry started listening to every game on the radio and reading
everything he could about Robinson. He
learned that his hero had to overcome great obstacles, such as discrimination,
bullying, and death threats. They did
not stop Robinson from following his passion, and it did not deter Henry
either! In his late teens, Henry began
playing with a semi-pro team. He had ups
and downs as he worked consistently and meticulously on his way to the
pros. In the spring of 1954, Henry Aaron’s
dream came true!
Evaluation:
I found this
gem tucked away in the biography section, not getting the attention it
deserves! Tavares does a commendable job
portraying Henry (also known as Hank) Aaron’s rise to professional baseball stardom. In the Author’s Note section, he further
relates the accomplishments (both in baseball and for civil rights) and
obstacles he overcame. The illustrations
in this oversized book are stunning! They are sweeping and vibrant, pulling you in
to this inspiring story. Henry Aaron’s
story is inspiring for anyone pursuing a dream, but minority children may be
especially moved by it as it depicts a young person overcoming great odds and persecution to make positive change. I HIGHLY recommend Henry Aaron’s Dream for ages 5 and up.
Teaching Opportunities:
Teaching Opportunities:
- Compare/Contrast: Compare Henry (Hank) Aaron's career with either one of his contemporaries (such as Jackie Robinson) or a modern player
- History: Research and learn more about segregation and the civil rights movement
- Math: Learn how to figure baseball statistics and/or solve problems uses the chart at the end of the book (For example: What is the difference between his batting average in 1952 and 1962?)
- Journaling: Write about your dreams and the obstacles you might have to overcome accomplishing them
- Reading: Read additional biographies about Hank Aaron and other pioneer baseball players
- Writing: Write a summary of some aspect of Hank Aaron's life you read about, use at least 2 sources
- Character: Discuss the positive character qualities that Aaron displayed in his life and career (courage, perseverance, hard-work, positive attitude)
Visit A Curious Thing for a complete list of Non-Fiction Monday titles.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Middle Grade Monday: Finally (by Wendy Mass)
Summary of Finally
(by Wendy Mass):
Rory Swenson
feels like everything in life is leading up to her 12th
birthday! She has been preparing by
saving items and notes that remind her of all the things her parents promised
she could do when she was 12, like get a cell phone, wear make-up, and own a
pet. Now she has her list ready—but will
her overprotective parents finally allow her fulfill all her wishes for independence
and maturity? As she accomplishes each
task—big and small—it is just one disaster after another. Rory is so eager to be “grown-up,” she is
missing out on the joys of friends and family as well as allowing things to
happen in their own time. Fortunately,
she realizes that these milestones do not define her or make her special. Instead, she is growing into an adult with
good character by the deeds she does for others and the wise choices she makes
with her life.
Evaluation:
Finally is a kind of sequel to 11 Birthdays. It stands on its own,
but there are a few references to the former that make more sense if you have
read it. The action occurs approximately one year later in the same town. The main characters are different, but the
main protagonists and some of the minor characters from the earlier novel have
small roles in Finally.
I was drawn
to Rory right away! She has a genuine
tween/teen voice. I laughed in several
places because she reminds me so much of my own daughter, who like Rory, thinks
I am too strict, complains about my couponing, and is too anxious to grow
up. Rory, also, struggles with figuring
out how she fits in with her peers.
I also
appreciated that overall Rory is not a sassy or disrespectful tween. Her parents are actively involved in her life
(sometimes more than she would like), and her family is relatively close
(even though she sometimes gets embarrassed by them).
My favorite
part is the ending (which I will not spoil by giving the details). Finally is really about figuring out
who you are and determining what you want your life to be like. There is a real positive message about how
tweens/teens can begin to find that out. It is not the superficial “grown up” things you do,
but the choices you make in your daily life and relationships.
I HIGHLY
recommend Finally for ages 8-12.
This post is
linked up with Marvelous Middle Grade Monday at Ramblings of a Wanna Be Scribe.
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