The Girl Who Thought in Pictures (Julia Finley Mosca)

Title:  The Girl Who Thought in Pictures:  The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin

Author:  Julia Finley Mosca

Illustrator:   Daniel Rieley

Target Ages:  5 and up

Genre:  Picture Book Biography

Publisher Summary: 

Meet Dr. Temple Grandin—one of the world’s quirkiest science heroes! 

When young Temple was diagnosed with autism, no one expected her to talk, let alone become one of the most powerful voices in modern science.  Yet the determined visual thinker did just that.  Her unique mind allowed her to connect with animals in a special way, helping her invent groundbreaking improvements for farms around the globe!

First Lines:

If you’ve ever felt different,

if you’ve ever been low,

if you don’t quite fit in,

there’s a name you should know. 

TEMPLE GRANDIN’S that name.

In her tale, you’ll find glory.

So, get ready, get set,

for this cowgirl’s TRUE story.

Memorable Moment:

So, here is the lesson:

Feeling odd or offbeat?

Being DIFFERENT might just

be what makes you so NEAT!

Don’t let doubt hold you back,

Not for one minute more.

STAND TALL, and like Temple,

MARCH RIGHT THROUGH THAT DOOR!

Evaluation:

Julia Finley Mosca's uplifting text perfectly brings Temple Grandin’s moving story to life for young readers.   

Temple was a leader in a STEM field in a time when few women were included.  Many ignored her ideas, but she was persistent.  As a result, she slowly changed minds.  Her influence is vital not just for science, but for the humane treatment of animals.

Parents, teachers, and students—especially those who do not act and think like mainstream kids do—will be inspired by Temple’s early years. Because she was autistic, she had extra challenges.  She dealt with sensory issues and delayed speech.  Interpersonal interactions were a difficult. Her mind processed information in a unique way.  Fortunately, her parents and teachers concluded she was “different, not less.” Her story encourages children to internalize that “different” is positive, not negative.

After repeated bullying, she moves to live on her aunt’s farm. Not only did Temple feel solace and acceptance there, her unique way of thinking allowed her to understand and to connect with the animals.  This experience and realization led her toward her professional path, illustrating that good outcomes can come from bad occurances.

The teachers in her life are often the source of inspiration. For instance, one of them told her,  “You’ll never fall short when you find what you’re good at, like science—you’ll soar!”  Her teachers’ encouragement and faith in her helped her to begin imagining solutions to problems on farms. 

Today, Temple teaches and speaks all over the world, illustrating that setbacks and, even, disabilities do not prevent people from doing great things.  Instead, it is her differences that make her uniquely created to help solve problems and to make the world a more humane place.

One of the personalized touches is a letter from Temple.  In it, she encourages children to find something they are good at it and to develop it.  In addition, she tells them to “keep learning, especially from your mistakes.”   

Fun factions and tidbits, a time line, additional background information, and bibliography are resources included for educators and parents.

Add The Girl Who Thought in Pictures:  The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin to your women in STEM biography library.  The text and illustrations are engaging.  The warm colors, animated expressions, and creative action are perfect for young readers.  

Also check out The Doctor with an Eye for Eyes by this author-illustrator duo. 

For other Amazing Scientists books, visit Innovation Press.

Activities and Extension Ideas from around the Internet for Lesson Plans:

Multiple Printing Resources from Innovation Press

Amazing Women in STEM Printable

Visualizing FREEBIE

Reading Skills and Strategies Activities (Multiple)

Meta Cognition Printable Freebie

Profile Portrait Craft Idea

Book Study Printables ($1.95)

Check out other excellent recommendations at Perfect Picture Book Friday.

Best New Picture Books for Bedtime

I love a good bedtime story.  There are so many classic favorites.  Here is a list of more recently published picture books, perfect for little ones—birth to however long your kids (or grandkids) will allow you to read to them.

Chengdu Could Not, Would Not Fall Asleep

Barney Saltzberg, author & illustrator

Everyone is asleep in the bamboo grove, except Chengdu.  He tosses, turns, and twitches, but he just cannot get into the a comfortable enough position to drift off.  Then he tries rolling and hanging.  Still, wide-awake.  Chengdu finally finds a solution…unfortunately, it has unintended consequences.  If your little ones love panda bears (like me), they won’t be able to resist this bedtime book. 

Bedtime for Yeti

Vin Vogel, author & illustrator

Yeti and his stuffed friend do everything together—swing, snack, play.  They look forward to snuggling together at bedtime.  When his friend goes missing, Yeti looks everywhere for him.   He ends up having to go to bed without him, but he is afraid of the shadows and noises.  A flash of lightening from a thunderstorm illuminates his room. Yeti spies his friend surrounded by danger.  Yeti must find the courage to save him.  It is a delightful story for children with bedtime fears and stuff-animal dependence.

Good Night, Bunny

Lauren Thompson, author

Stephanie Yue, illustrator

In this soothing and endearing bedtime story, Bunny says good night to his world—the flowers, the insects, the birds, and other creatures.  Rhythmic lines like “Good night, sun and bright red sky.  Good night, swallows swooping by” help lull little ones to sleep. The stunning watercolor illustrations help create a perfect nighttime read. 

Monster Trouble!

Lane Fredrickson, author

Michael Robertson, illustrator

Winifred Schnitzel is not afraid of anything—not pirates, not scary movies, and not even monsters.  At bedtime, though, the neighborhood monsters will not leave her alone so she could sleep.  She tries all sorts of clever ways to keep them at bay, but they keep coming back…until she finally discovers their one silly weakness!  This imaginative story takes the idea of keeping away the monsters to a whole new level! 

Go Sleep in Your Own Bed!

Candace Fleming, author

Lori Nichols, illustrator

It is bedtime on the farm—but many of the animals have fallen asleep in the wrong spot!  Pig toddles to his sty. When he plops down, he hears a “moooo!” Who could that be?  Cow!  Pig tells her, “Go Sleep in your own bed!”  Cow tromps to her stall, but she hears a loud “bwaaaak!” It’s chicken. The story follows the same predictable repetitive pattern until all the animals have settled in the correct beds.  The sound clues encourage listeners to guess who is in the wrong bed each time.  Go Sleep in Your Own Bed! is a comical, interactive bedtime narrative..

I Just Want to Say Good Night

Rachel Isadora, author & illustrator

The day is coming to a close.  The moon is out.  Lala is not ready to go to sleep though.  With a stunning African village backdrop, the young girl visits the nearby animals—cat, goat, monkey, bird—to tell them “good night.”  Grasping for a way to stay awake, she wishes the ants, the rocks, and even her book a “good night.” The vivid pictures and increasingly soothing colors, make for a lovely diverse reading experience that illustrates a universal nighttime ritual.  The story ends with a sweet tribute to Margaret Wise Brown’s Good Night Moon.

Touch the Brightest Star

Christie Matheson, author & illustrator

Children are invited to help make the “magic” of the night happen.  They press on the firefly to help him glow, blow a quiet breeze, pat the deer, make a wish on a star, and much more.  The simple text and illustrations introduce listeners to the sights and sounds of the night while lulling them off to sleep.  The winning interactive text makes this story stand out from the pack. 

My Tail’s Not Tired!

Jana Novotny Hunter, author

Paula Bowles, illustrator

Little Monster can’t go to bed—his knees aren’t tired yet, or his bottom, or is tail.  He is full of wiggles, swings, and boings!  Big Monster helps Little Monster get out all his left over energy and, finally, drift off to sleep.  This one is perfect for the rambunctious child who needs help settling down. 

The Big Bed

Bunmi Laditan, author

Tom Knight, illustrator

Reluctant to sleep in her own bed, the smart and witty protagonists attempts to convince her parents she needs to sleep in their big bed—but, only with mommy.  She anticipates their objections and refutes each one (including the peeing the bed issue).  The argument ends with an “ideal” solution for where daddy will sleep. Full of humor and spunk, this story is sure to make kids and adults laugh.

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Car

Kate Dopirak, author

Mary Peterson, illustrator

It’s bedtime, but little car wants to drive instead.  Using the rhythmic tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” he travels around town wishing the other cars and trucks goodnight.  Finally feeling tired out, he returns home so his beep-beep dreams can start.  It is the perfect story for car and truck enthusiasts. 

Here are reviews for a couple other recent bedtime stories... 

Nothing Can Frighten a Bear 

Where, Oh Where, Is Baby Bear?

Other Stories to Check Out

Good Day, Good Night

Don’t Blink

George in the Dark

The Too-Scary Story

If Your Monster Won’t Go to Bed

5 Fabulous African Fiction Picture Books

The Herd Boy

Niki Daly, author and illustrator

Malusi is a herd boy in a mountainous region of South Africa. He wakes up early each morning to watch and care for his family’s herd. Visited by his friend, Lungisa, they play and share dreams. Malusi wants to be president, but Lungisa thinks that it is funny to aspire to such a lofty goal. When a baboon threatens the flock, Malusi fights to save the endangered lamb. Later, he is visited by an old man who encourages him: “A boy who looks after his herd will make a very fine leader.” In his humble job, Malusi learns self-discipline, bravery, and compassion—all the qualities of a great leader.

Kele’s Secret

Tololwa M. Mollel, author

Catherine Stock, illustrator

Yoanes helps his grandmother by collecting the eggs laid around the farm—in the cluttered loft, in the barn, and, even, in the corner of the outhouse. One clever chicken though hides her eggs.  It is up to Yoanes to discover her secret place, but he will have to overcome his own fears in doing so! 

My Rows and Piles of Coins

Tololwa M. Mollel, author

E. B. Lewis, illustrator

Every week Saruni helps his mother sell their produce at the market, earning him a 10 cent coin. There are so many options to use his money for, but instead he carefully saves it week after week in order to earn enough money to buy a bike to help his family.  This beautiful story about self-discipline, perseverance, and selflessness transcends culture and continent.

Lake of the Big Snake: AnAfrican Rain Forest Adventure

Isaac Olaleye, author

Claudia Shepard, illustrator

Ade and Tayo are given instructions to do their chores and stay in the village. The mischievous boys though decide to cross the field and stream in search of fun and sweet berries.  Pulled by curiosity toward the mysterious waters of the river, the boys become cornered by a snake. They cleverly outsmart it and run back to safety of the village...while dreading the trouble they are in for disobeying.

Elsina’s Clouds

Jeanette Winter, author & illustrator
During the dry season, Elsina dreams of clouds and the rain they will bring.  In the tradition of her people,  her parents allow her to paint the walls of their house in hopes of her ancestors hearing her prayers. Every day she wakes up, waiting for an answer. She waits and waits…until finally, she sees black clouds and hears the roll of thunder.  With the rain comes new crops and healthy livestock that help her family survive. 

Author Spotlight: Jan Thomas (Part 2)

One of my favorite picture book author-illustrators is Jan Thomas.  I first discovered her work when I came across The Doghouse.  I loved it so much, I sought out her other available titles at my local library. Afterwards, I did an Author Spotlight covering some of her books, such as Rhyming Dust Bunnies, Can You Make a Scary Face?, and Let’s Sing a Lullaby with the Brave Cowboy.

Thomas’ books are ideal for emerging and early readers. Suspense and questions encourage reader and listener interaction. Unexpected reversals and ironic situations bring humor and liveliness to the reading experience.

She appeals to children’s proclivity toward cute animals. Her reoccurring characters include Duck, Cow, Dog, Mouse, Chicken and Pig.  Bunnies and other animals also have  made appearances.  Her energetic characters are endearing. 

One of the most remarkable aspects of her writing is its simplicity.  She uses sight words and simple vocabulary, often repetitively, which allows for early readers to master the reading experience and to gain confidence.

Every book is a delight!  For anyone who interacts with children ages 0-8, I recommend having some (or all) of her books on your shelf. 

Here are the books I read since her last Author Spotlight…

A Birthday for Cow!

Mouse and Pig want to make Cow’s birthday special.  They work together to make a cake for him.  Duck tries to help out with a special ingredient!  Mouse and Pig do not agree with Duck.  Which friend knows Cow best?

Is Everyone Ready for Fun?

Some unexpected guests show up at Chicken’s house.  They are ready for some fun, but Chicken isn’t so enthused about their rambunctious behavior—jumping, dancing, and wiggling—on his tiny couch. 

What Is Chasing Duck?

Something is chasing Duck.  What is wild, hairy, and big-toothed?  Duck and his friends are afraid to find out.  Who will protect them?  What exactly is chasing Duck?

There’s a Pest in the Garden!

When a pest begins eating up all the vegetables in the garden, Duck figures out a way to get rid of him.  Unfortunately, it does not turn out the way he expects. 

Is That Wise, Pig?

Cow and Pig help Mouse make some soup.  They each bring items, such as one onion, two cabbages, and so forth.  When Pig tries to add some of his items (like three umbrellas), the others question if it is a good idea for the soup.  In an unexpected and hilarious reversal, Pig ends up being wise after all.  This selection is one of my favorites! 

Pumpkin Trouble

Duck is excited to carve a jack-o-lantern.  A little mishap, though, sets off a series of silly misunderstandings.  This fun fall read aloud can be enjoyed all year long, just beware of the pumpkin monster!   

Jan Thomas has two additional books that debuted in January 2018…

My Toothbrush Is Missing!

My Friends Make Me Happy!