Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Author Spotlight: Grace Lin


Grace Lin is the author of more than 20 children’s books, ranging from picture to middle grade fiction.  She covers a wide array of subjects from animal stories to Chinese-American realistic fiction to myths and fairy tales.


The first book I read was the middle grade fantasy fairy tale Where the Mountain Meets the Moon.  I could not put this book down!  It is a beautiful mingling of myth and fiction, sacrifice and friendship.  The two follow ups, Starry River of the Sky and When the Sean Turned to Silver, are on my reading list!


She has also written the Pacy Lin series of contemporary realistic fiction for middle graders, featuring a Chinese-American family.


Next, I spent time with her delightful series—Ling and Ting. The text and illustrations exude positive motifs like cooperation, creativity, and kindness. You will want to add this adorable duo to your Early Reader library. 

Some of her picture books feature animal characters learning valuable lessons.


In Olvina Flies, a chicken learns to overcome her fear of flying. 


In the follow up, Olvina Swims, the protagonist deals with her fear of the water and swimming the ocean. 


Finally, Okie-Dokie, Artichokie stars a Marklee the monkey.  He initially misjudges a neighbor, but he realizes his mistake before it is too late. 


My favorite of her picture books is The Red Thread: An Adoption Tale.  A king and queen have a beautiful and peaceful land, but they have a relentless pain in their chests.  A peddler’s magical spectacles reveal the red thread pulling at their hearts, leading them to the baby they are destined to adopt.  This adoption fairy tale illustrates the parental love that begins long before a child comes to live with his adoptive parents and the important bond that connects them.

Grace Lin has written several picture books celebrating Chinese-American culture.  Her stunning illustrations use rich colors, expressive faces, and energetic children.  The text is minimal, but Lin always includes additional information for teachers and parents to read or to expand on in lesson plans.


Bringing in the New Year.  This lovely picture book illustrates the New Year traditions of many Chinese and Chinese-Americans, such as getting a fresh hair cut, making dumplings, carrying lanterns, and welcoming the dragon.  Simple text and energetic pictures provide an ideal introduction to the holiday. 


Kite Flying. Flying kites is a beloved past time in many Asian countries, including China, Japan, Thailand, and India.  In this picture book, a family works cooperatively to make a kite. Then, they take it to a nearby park to fly. 


Dim Sum for Everyone.  A family visits a dim sum restaurant in Chinatown.  Dumplings, cakes, buns, and tarts are presented to them on rolling carts.  They each have to pick what to eat from the many delicious traditional dishes. (Sharing is encouraged.)


Thanking the Moon: Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival.  With lanterns and the full moon glowing, they eat sweet mooncakes and drink warm tea.  Join Mei-Mei and her family for this festival celebrating gratitude, prosperity, and community. 


Fortune Cookie Fortunes.  While visiting a Chinese restaurant, each family member receives a fortune cookie. The sisters disagree whether the fortunes will come true or not.  One sister learns to see the world (and the fortunes) in a different way.  This fun tale ends with fascinating background information on the origin of the fortune cookie.  

Sunday, January 28, 2018

Five Fabulous Inclusion Book Finds


Lisa Mantchev, author
Taeeun Yoo, illustrator

Publisher Summary:  Today is Pet Club Day. There will be cats and dogs and fish, but strictly no elephants are allowed.  The Pet Club doesn’t understand that pets come in all shapes and sizes, just like friends.  Now it is time for a boy and his tiny pet elephant to show them what it means to be a true friend.

Why It Is Fabulous:  When a boy is left out of the neighborhood group, he forms a inclusive club with a diverse group of pets and children.  Sweet illustrations and the adorable pet elephant help create a memorable storybook experience about friendship and fitting in.


Aaron Reynolds, author
Matt Davies, illustrator

Publisher Summary:  Dejected and friendless, Nerdy Birdy soon discovers that there are far more nerdy birdies than cool birdies in the sky.  Everything is looking up until a new bird moves into the neighborhood. She looks lonely.  But not exactly nerdy.  What’s a nerdy birdie to do?

Why It Is Fabulous:  Nerdy Birdy wants to fit in with the cool birds, which many children can relate to.  He finds contentment and inclusion with others like him.   Where this book goes a step further is challenging the protagonist’s comfort zone. When his group refuses to accept the new bird, he choses to befriend her, becoming an outsider once more.  Nerdy Bird reminds readers the importance of including everyone. 


Stacy McAnulty, author
Joanne Lew-Vriethoff, illustrator

Publisher Summary:  Every girl is unique, talented, and lovable…Every girl is beautiful.

Why It Is Fabulous: This energetic picture book depicts girls of different races and interests defying expectations and embracing life.  


Patricia Hegarty, author
Ryan Wheatcroft, illustrator

Publisher Summary:  From busy mornings before school to family vacations; through illness and health; in celebration and disappointment, families stick together.  This book celebrates the diversity of families through shared experiences. 

Why It Is Fabulous:  Each two-page spread illustrates different types of families, each following a daily routine.  The poetic text emphasizes the importance of family and each other—in good times and bad. 


Matt de la Pena, author
Loren Long, illustrator

Publisher Summary: Love is the melody that follows us through each and every day of our lives.  Whether it’s the sound of our parents’ voices lulling us to sleep, the joyful laughter of an uncle’s latest tall tale, or the warm embrace of a loved one telling us everything will be okay, it’s a feeling that takes countless forms and ultimately connects us all.

Why It Is Fabulous:  The heart of this lyrical text is that love is everywhere—even in the most unexpected places.  Love can shine through the darkness and difficulties.  Love can be sensed in the most mundane moments.  The stunning illustrations elevate the text by showing people living in various circumstances and reflecting different ethnicities, ages, and abilities.  The book is a celebration of life, people, and diversity.

Saturday, January 27, 2018

Five Inspiring African American Artists (Biography)


Javaka Steptoe, author and illustrator

Publisher Summary: Jean-Michel Basquiat and his unique collage-style paintings rocketed to fame in the 1980’s as a cultural phenomenon unlike anything the art world had ever seen. But before that, he was a little boy who saw art everywhere: in poetry books and museums. His story introduces young readers to the powerful message that art doesn’t always have to be neat or clean—and definitely not inside the lines—to be beautiful. 

What’s to Love:  The artwork is stunning (worthy of the Caldecott it won).  The beautiful narrative focuses on Basquiat’s childhood and development as an artist.   Readers will find his grit and passion as inspiring as the works he created. 


Chris Raschka, author and illustrator

Publisher Summary: Jazz musician Sun Ra always said that he came from Saturn.  Being from another planet, he was naturally interested in everything earthly—especially music, because music is the one thing on earth most like the stories.  So he made music.  And he traveled with other musicians and singers—calling themselves the Sun Ra Arkestra, playing, singing, and dancing for people all over the planet.  Because music, he said, is what holds us all together.

What’s to Love:  Sun Ra stood for love and peace during a tumultuous era.  Using his talent and passion, he brought people around the world together in music and in dance. His music is a blend of so many different types that he, in essence, created his own one-of-a-kind style.  Like the artist that inspired the biography, the watercolor and ink illustrations are not easy to label, but they aptly capture the otherworldly feel of the artist and his music. 


Jonah Winter, author
Marjorie Priceman, illustrator

Publisher Summary:  Josephine has all the moves, but she also has dark skin, and some think that means she should stay in the shadows—or only play the clown.  But that simply will not work for Miss Josephine.  Instead she dances her way out of poverty and into stardom. 

What’s to Love: The blues inspired lyrical text and the energetic illustrations depict the feisty personality and amazing talent of Miss Josephine.  The vivid colors and bold pen strokes bring her story of perseverance and strength to life.


Kathleen Benson, author
Benny Andrews, illustrator

Publisher Summary:  Benny Andrews loved to draw.  And he dreamed of a better life—something beyond the brutal segregation, the backbreaking labor, and the limited opportunities of the farm.  Benny’s dreams took him far from the rural Georgia of his childhood.  He became one of the most important African-American artists of the twentieth century, and he opened doors for other artists of color.  He fought for civil rights, and to make the art world more inclusive.  His story is an inspiration for artists and dreamers everywhere.

What’s to Love:  Author Kathleen Benson craftily combines her text with Andrew’s raw paintings to illustrate the artist’s life and world.  His story of overcoming adversity to become a respected artist beautifully unfolds in this appealing picture book biography.  The most admirable part of his life is his commitment to give back to his community.  Known as the people’s artists, he spent much of his life inspiring people—young and old—in all walks of life to tell their stories through their art.  


Carole Boston Weatherford, author
Jamey Christoph, illustrator

Publisher Summary:  With lyric verse and atmospheric art, Gordon Parks tells the story of how, with a single photograph, a self-taught artist got America to take notice. 

What’s to Love:  Author Carole Boston Weatherford captures the heart of Parks’ work in her poignant, yet straightforward language.  Lines like “through Gordon’s lens, her struggle gained a voice” and “you don’t have to hear her story to know her prayer” elevate the story beyond a simple children’s book to an inspiring story of determination and compassion for all ages.  The striking illustrations further the story and theme, illustrating the vital role art can play in uncovering harsh truths and fighting injustice. 

The 2018 #ReadYourWorld Book Review Linkup!


Friday, January 26, 2018

They All Saw a Cat (by Brendan Wenzel)



Author:  Brendan Wenzel

Illustrator:  Brendan Wenzel

Target Ages:  3 and up

Genre:  Picture Book

Awards:  Caldecott Honor Book

Publisher Summary:  When you see a cat, what do you see?  In this glorious celebration of observation, curiosity, and imagination, Brendan Wenzel shows us the many lives of one cat, and how perspective shapes what we see.

First Lines: 
The cat walked through the world,
with its whiskers, ears, and paws…
and the child saw A CAT,
and the dog saw A CAT,
and the fox saw A CAT.
Yes, they all saw the cat.


Evaluation: 
The striking multi-media pictures in They All Saw A Cat will thrill young readers while expanding their understanding of others. Each fascinating perspective can prompt a discussion. Children can evaluate why the artist made the cat look skinny in one picture and fat with an emphasis on his bell in another.  Also, the use of color varies greatly, making each illustration a feast for the senses and ripe for conversation.



On a concrete level, it is fascinating to get the vantage point of animals and insects. There are emotional differences (like how the mouse sees the cat as  monstrous) and physical ones (like the bee seeing in dots).  Also, the vantage point impacts the view: To the bird, the cat is a small speck, and to the flea, the cat is an enormous mountain. This book allows readers to imaginatively see life through another's perspective.  


On a more abstract level, the book prompts a deeper discussion on how perspective impacts perception.  This perspective can come from cultural, familial, community, and individual experiences.  It explains how two people can witness the same event, yet view it in a completely different way.  Because of the larger message, this book could be used to springboard a discussion with older children. 


For younger children, this abstract idea will be harder to grasp. However, they can begin to understand that an object, for instance, is not inherently good or bad, valuable or worthless.  It is about how we view it. 

They All Saw A Cat is simple, yet profound children's book. Overall, the illustrations and thought-provoking story make it worthy of your bookshelf.

Ideas for Extension Activities at Home or Lesson Plans for Teachers:
  • Lesson Opener:  Show one or more pictures or objects that will likely get varied responses from the children.  Prompt the children for replies. Depending on the age of the children, they may raise hands to different prompts (like, dislike, or neutral), words, or pictures (smiley, sad, or neutral faces).   Tally the responses.  Spring board into the book by discussing how we all have different perspectives.
  • Math:  Use the responses in the lesson opener to create a graph.
  • Science Research: Learn how various creatures see objects.   
  • Science Exploration: Using keen observation skills, discuss or draw nature finds. 
  • Social Studies: Discuss how different perspectives impact how a person sees a situation or other person.  
  • Writing: Write a simple sentence from the cat’s or other creature’s perspective. The cat saw the ____, the ______ and the ______.  Then, illustrate it the way you think the cat (or other animal) sees each one.
  • Choral Reading: The repetitive text is ideal for choral reading or audience participation. 
  • Reading: Limited, simple vocabulary for early reader practice.
  • Art:  Complete a fun cat craft like the ideas here and here.

 For Perfect Picture Book Friday, visit Susanna Leonard Hill's blog. 



Six Keys to an Engaging Early Childhood Reading Experience

The most essential aspect of early childhood reading is simply reading.  Identifying books that are appealing, entertaining, and educational though enhances the experience.  When choosing books for children under five, there are six key criteria to consider.


Rhyme and Rhythm

For centuries, children have recited the same nursery rhymes.  They are drawn to these poems and songs because of the rhythm and flow created by the poetic elements, such as rhyme and alliteration.  Books that utilize rhyme, such as Cat Napped (Leeza Hernandez) and Rhyming Dust Bunnies (Jan Thomas), make language and reading more appealing.  

The benefits of rhyme are numerous.  For instance, it teaches children how language and phonics works.  Rhyme helps them learn how to identify word parts and to break words down.  All of these skills are vital as they begin to read, to spell, and to write. 

Rhyming is also fun.  I used to brainstorm rhyming words with my kids as we did errands in the car.  To them, it was a game. 

Books with rhyme and rhythm are ideal read alouds for preschool children because they build literacy skills and boost the reading experience. 


Kinesthetic Activity

Reading does not have to be a static activity.  I always encouraged my children to point and to interact.  

Some books go further by inviting physical activity—clapping hands, stomping feet, dancing around. A few books in this category are Clap Your Hands (Lorinda Bryan Cauley), From Head to Toe (Eric Carle) and Hop, Hop, Jump (Lauren Thompson). Action-oriented books like these have the added bonus of helping small children get some of the wiggles out.

Active reading can include physical motions and participation—whether the book directly encourages it or not.  


Concepts

Foundational to the early childhood experience is learning to identify numbers, colors, letters, opposites, shapes, feelings, and animals.  Popular early concept books include Shape Shift (Joyce Hesselberth), The Day the Crayons Quit (Drew Daywalt), and Ten Little Caterpillars (Bill Martin Jr.).

Regularly incorporate books into story time with bright colors and bold pictures that illustrate these concepts in creative and entertaining ways.   


Repetition

Some of my favorite books have a repetitive structure.  The two I read most often to my children were We Are Going on a Bear Hunt (Michael Rosen) and Five Monkeys Jumping on the Bed (Eileen Christelow).

I encouraged my kids to read along.  I began with leaving off a word or phrase.
We are going on a ______.
We are going to catch a ______.
Eventually, my children memorized the whole chorus and “read along” with me. 

Repetitive books are one way to help youngsters begin to internalize patterns and structure. As they do, they feel more competent and confident.

Include a steady stream of books with repetition like Tiny Little Fly (Michael Rosen), like Down by the Barn (Will Hillenbrand), and It’s a Tiger (David LaRochelle).


Predicting

Predicting is a key comprehension skill.  It is never too early to begin to ask guessing questions. Sure babies will not understand or be able to answer.  Your interaction with them is beneficial though. 

As toddles become talkers, they can make guesses.  In time, those guesses will become more sophisticated. 

Look for books with a picture or word clues (sometimes in the form of rhyming words). Children will benefit by developing a basic framework for engaging or thinking about the text as they read. Also, these books encourage them to practice guessing using context clues and memorizing sequences of events.

As a result, choosing books that are conducive to predicting outcomes are ideal for early childhood reading experiences.  Check out Whose Hat Is That? (Anita Bijsterbosch) and Guess Who, Haiku (Deanna Caswell).


Sound Words

There is some debate as to whether sound words are helpful in language development.  Some educators claim it is just as easy to say ”cow” as “moo.” Saying “moo” and “baa” is fun though.  These words add drama and flair to story time in books like Chugga Chugga Choo Choo (Emma Garcia) and Cows Can’t Quack (David Reisman).

In addition, sound words and phrases are conducive to choral reading.  Simply put, choral reading is reading or reciting in unison.  This activity can be small and informal like when a child “reads along” words or phrases with a parent or caregiver.  It can also be large and formal, such as a whole class reciting together.  This activity builds self-confidence and motivation in pre and early readers. 

Furthermore, children use animal sounds as a means to express their emotions.  A child feeling wild may “roar” during playtime.  Later, while feeling cuddly and peaceful, he may “meow.”  Of course, you want kids to express themselves fully with “adult” words, but animal sounds can be a temporary short cut as they get a full understanding of language, emotions, and social cues. 

The whole point of reading is to engage children in sound and language.  If sound words enrich the experience, it is beneficial.  Therefore, read books out loud brimming in onomatopoeia.

For more help picking the perfect book for your children, read Five Fabulous Picture Book Finds for Kids under 5 or click on the labels in the right-hand column. 

Carl and the Meaning of Life (Deborah Freedman)

Title:   Carl and the Meaning of Life   Author :   Deborah Freedman   Illustrator: Deborah Freedman ...