Author Spotlight: Chris Gall

I discovered Chris Gall’s work only recently when I came across one of his Dinotrux’s books. Struck by his amazing style, I checked out several of his other books.

Chris Gall has been working as an illustrator for more than 20 years.  With close to a dozen picture books published so far, he has already made an indelible mark on the industry. Working as both author and illustrator on most of his books, he has shown innovative vision and extraordinary talent. His style has similarities to other beloved illustrators like David Wiesner, Steven Kellogg, and Chris Van Allsburg.

Like Wiesner, he has an amazing imagination. Gall brings the ordinary and the fantastic, mashes them together, and creates a captivating experience. For example, in Dear Fish he takes the ideas of pen pals and company visiting to hyperbolic and astonishing levels. Substitute Creature begins with every day occurrences in the classroom and moves them to outrageous flights of fancy.

Like Kellogg, he utilizes every space, including end, copyright, and title pages. Gall uses his illustrations as much as the text to move the storytelling forward and make little detours of humor. For instance, in The Revenge of the Dinotrux the bots escape after being “civilized” by school and books. Left in the tracks is the book Escape from Alcatraz. Also, there are often bits of irony and pun included. In Dear Fish, puns are abundant, such as when a school of fish invades a classroom and swordfish help a carpenter with his work. 

Like Van Allsburg, he is a profound storyteller.  Gall’s stories are not about animals or Dinotruxs.  Instead, his characters are often metaphors or symbols. The unruly Dinotruxs symbolize undesirable behaviors often found in children like impatience, thoughtlessness, and selfishness. Dog vs. Cat represents a blended family though it could be more universally connected to learning to get along with others. 

Gall’s illustrations are bold. They often have a three-dimensional appearance.  Sometimes, he employs techniques commonly found in graphic novels like blocking and multiple scenes on a page. A variety of mediums work together to create each illustration.  He frequently uses more traditional means like clay-engraved art or colored pencils with digital effects. Other books have revolutionary tools. Dinotrux was created using bearskins and stone-knives while Substitute Creature utilized bat wings, toad juice, and the bundled whiskers of a black cat. :)

Finally, his books often have a twist at the end. In Awesome Dawson the final scene depicts Dawson using one of his inventions to help in an alien invasion while Dinotrux simply has the eyes of one of the bots flash on. These types of endings prompt a discussion of inference and provide opportunities for creative writing. 

Like a great literary fiction, there are layers and layers to unpack in his books.   Look closely at the illustrations as well as their interconnectedness with the text. Chris Gall's books will surprise you with new insights and small treasures with each reading.

Dear Fish

Peter Alan writes a letter to the fish, places it in a bottle, and throws it out to sea. The next morning he wakes up to find the fish have taken him up on his offer to visit. They are everywhere—in the bathtub, at the baseball game, in the yard, and at the rodeo.  After numerous disruptions, he writes the fish another letter to encourage them to go back home.  Eventually, life returns back to normal.  Until, Peter Alan finds a note on the beach. This one is from the fish! 

Teaching Connections:  Puns (primarily in the illustrations), Onomatopoeia, Strong Verbs, Letter Writing, Inference 

Awesome Dawson

Dawson spends all his time repurposing toys and household items into new imaginative and useful creations.  Hating to do chores, he comes up with a solution—that ends up causing so much trouble, he wishes he was at home doing chores!  Dawson stops the “monster” machine, but he does not stop coming up with ways to make chore time go more quickly and efficiently.  

Teaching Connections: Simple Machines, Robotic, STEM, Recycling, Problem Solving, Inference

Substitute Creature

When a riotous class gets an unexpected substitute teacher, they think it is an opportunity for mischief and mayhem. Their substitute is not what they expected—nor what the audience thinks either. As he presents hard cases from past classes of daydreamers, doodlers, and paste-eaters, the audience is treated to highly imaginative and disastrous consequences that ensue.  Students are not fully convinced though until the substitute creature reveals his own past delinquency. 

Teaching Connections:  Inference, Irony, Creative Writing, Poetry, Rhyme, Hyperbole

Cat vs. Dog

Cat and Dog are far from being two peas in a pod. Dog is a playful mess.  Cat is seriously organized. Their idea of fun could not be more different. When trying to co-exist peacefully doesn’t work, it becomes an all out war.  An unexpected event prompts a truce though.  Will the peace last?   

Teaching Connections: Sibling/Step-Sibling/Friendship Relationships, Problem Solving, Puns, Hyperbole

DinoTrux

Dinotrux, part-truck, part dino demolition dynamos, ruled the world millions of years ago. Rude Rollodon, greedy Garbageadon, and edgy Dozeratops were just a few of the disruptive Dinotrux.  Ironically, they are so uncivilized that even the cave people are fussing at them! A terrible storm causes most of Dinotrux to rust and sink down, down, down into the mud.  The smart ones migrate south where they slowly lose their misbehaving ways and ancient features. Now they are always on the job and never quit working hard.  A prehistoric discovery may change everything though!

Teaching Connections:  Manners, Dinosaurs, Onomatopoeia, Irony

Revenge of the Dinotrux

After spending decades in a museum being poked, prodded, and mistreated, Tyrannosaurus Trux leads the other Dinotrux out into the modern world. Reminiscent of a Godzilla take-over (with lots of humor and irony), they wreak havoc on the town. The mayor sends them to school to learn “how modern trucks behave.”  School seems to be helping to tame their wild ways…at least until they are on the loose again. When the Dinotrux are tracked down deep in the woods, everyone is afraid to see what is causing all the commotion.  

Teaching Connections:  Manners, Dinosaurs, Onomatopoeia, Irony, Problem Solving

Gall has two new books premiering later this year. Nanobots will be released in August 2016. The Ninjabread Man with author C.J. Leigh is due out September 2016.

Nature Recycles: How About You? (Michelle Lord)

Title:  Nature Recycles:  How About You?

Author:  Michelle Lord

Illustrator:  Cathy Morrison

Target Ages:  4-8

First Lines: “The decorator sea urchin lives in the Atlantic Ocean.  The water is warm, but he covers up. Urchin wears colorful algae, rocks, and coral.  He wears ocean refuse like old oyster shells.”

Publisher Summary: “From sea urchins in the Atlantic Ocean to bandicoots on the Australian savanna, animals all over the world recycle. Explore how different animals in different habitats use recycled material to build homes, protect themselves and get food. This fascinating collection of animal facts will teach readers about the importance of recycling and inspire them to take part in protecting and conserving the environment by recycling in their own way.”

Evaluation: Nature Recycles:  How About You? presents the idea of recycling in a fresh and natural approach.  I never thought about the normal activities of the animals highlighted, like the woodpecker finch, octopus, caddisfly larva, and poison dart frog, as recycling.  In interesting ways, they recycle and reuse items left behind by plants and creatures, often in highly creative ways. Readers get the sense of the circle of life as one living thing’s trash becomes a treasure for another. 

The author keeps the idea of recycling at the forefront.  After a description of each creatures’ activities, she states:

(The creatures) recycle.

How about you?

This question opens up an opportunity to discuss ways people can improve their recycling and reusing practices.  An outstanding supplement book that provides extra information is Where Do Garbage Trucks Go? And Other Questions about Trash and Recycling (Benjamin Richmond). Thirteen common questions are answered about areas, such as why trash smells, what makes some garbage dangerous, and what is a recycling plant. 

Cathy Morrison does a beautiful job on the illustrations in Nature Recycles:  How About You?  Different habitats are shown, such as the ocean, desert, river, savannah, and forest. Each habitat is depicted in vivid detail, providing an opportunity to discuss the subject further. 

Emerging readers will easily understand this straight forward text as it is being read aloud. There are several examples of onomatopoeia related to animals sounds that children can mimic. Beginning readers can decode it with minimal adult help or independently.

The book finishes off with 4-pages of extension ideas and activities.  However, there is much, much more provided FREE at the Arbordale website for each of their titles. 

For years, I have been a huge fan of Arbordale’s materials. If I were home educating small children, I would not even buy a science curriculum. Arbordale (Sylvan Dell) has everything you need to teach science in a more engaging way than most science curriculums. You do not have to buy a bunch of books because their titles are common in public libraries and their educational materials are online. For parents, their books are ideal for fostering a love for animals, the environment, and other science topics. Teachers can use them to supplement or to reinforce grade objectives.  

I highly recommend Nature Recycles:  How About You? It is both fascinating and educational.  

Activities and Extension Ideas for Lesson Plans:

Additional Conservation Posts from Books4Learning

Teaching Guide for the Nature Recycles:  How About You?

Reading Quiz

For Creative Minds Quiz

Math Quiz
Related Websites

For more Non-Fiction Monday recommendations, visit HERE.

Must Read Inspirational Conservation Stories

The following non-fictions are inspiring stories that teaching children about aspects of conservation related to tree planting, endangered animals, and recycling projects. In addition, each story has one or more inspirational people whose desire to make a small impact often went far beyond what they imagined or expected.  Share these stories with children to encourage them to make a positive difference in their communities and to be more conscientious of ways to keep the planet healthy.

The Mangrove Tree:  Planting Tree to Feed Families (non-fiction)

Authors: Susan L. Roth & Cindy Trumbore

Illustrator: Susan L. Roth

Publisher Summery: For a long time, the people of Hargigo, a village in the tiny African country of Eritrea, were living without food for themselves and their animals.  The families were hungry, and their goats and sheep were hungry too.  Then along came a scientist, Dr. Gordon Sato, who helped change their lives for the better.  And it all started with some special trees.  Learn how Dr. Sato’s mangrove tree-planting project transformed an impoverished village into a self-sufficient community. 

Why I Chose It: This story has two layers. There is a cumulative poem that is repeated as new lines are added on each 2-page spread, similar to “This is the House that Jack Built” format. The first time through, especially with younger children, this poem could be the narrative that is read.  On the facing page is the non-fiction story about Dr. Sato’s tree-planting project. This story is noteworthy for several reason. First, Dr. Sato had to overcome difficult circumstances that could have paralyzed or jaded him, but he did not let them (See Afterward for photos and facts on the doctor and his project). Instead, he helps whole communities overcome their impoverished situation by providing them with education and tools to take care of themselves. In addition, I love how the women, a largely disenfranchised group in most third world countries, were the ones being taught how to care for the seedlings and trees. They, in turn, used the money they earned to help their families. Finally, by enacting his tree-planting project, he helped everyone—animals and humans, rich and poor—because trees make for healthier air and environment. The textured, collage illustrations have an organic feel perfect for this inspiring story.

Related Story: The Tree Lady (H. Joseph Hopkins)

Mama Miti: Wagari Maathai and the Trees of Kenya (non-fiction)

Author: Donna Jo Napoli

Illustrator: Kadir Nelson

Publisher Summary:  Wangari grew up in the shadow of Mount Kenya listening to the stories about the people and land around her.  Though the trees towered over her, she had loved them for as long as she could remember. So strong, so beautiful, how the trees made her smile. Wangari planted trees one by one to refresh her spirit. When the women came to her for help with their families, she told them to do the same. Soon the countryside was filled with trees.  Kenya was strong once more. Wangari had changed her country tree by tree. 

Why I Chose It:  Mama Miti is one part conservation challenge and one part female empowerment. By planting trees, the women who took Wangari’s advice were able to do everything from feeding their families, to purifying water for drinking, to curing illnesses, to providing wood for shelter and fire, to strengthening their villages, to bringing back the beautiful landscape. Napoli convenes a strong sense of pride and community in the text while Nelson’s illustrations effectively depict the vivid colors and strong people of Kenya. Wangari’s life illustrates the power and influence an ordinary person can have. She was the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize and helped inspire the Green Belt Movement.  Her work “is the embodiment of the Kenyan notion of harambee—the spirit of pulling together for the common good.”

Other stories about Wangari: Seeds of Change: Planting a Path to Peace (Jen Cullerton Johnson) & Planting the Trees of Kenya: The Story of Wangari Maathai (Claire A. Nivola)

Parrots over Puerto Rico (non-fiction)

Authors: Susan L. Roth & Cindy Trumbore

Illustrator: Susan L. Roth

Publisher Summery: For centuries beautiful, raucous Puerto Rican parrots and the settlers on the island of Puerto Rico hunted for food, survived hurricanes, raised their young, and protected their homes.  But then things began to change, and in time the trees in which the parrots lived were destroyed.  By 1967, only twenty-four Puerto Rican parrots were left in the wild.  Humans had nearly caused their extinction.  Could humans now save the parrots?  Discover the fascinating history of Puerto Rico and the intertwined story of the rare parrots that line in the island’s treetops. 

Why I Chose It: This real-life conservation story begins with some fascinating history of the island and the birds. Children learn about a place that is rarely covered in school curriculums and many different cultures. The authors work to intertwine the lives of the people with those of the birds, showing the interconnectedness and interdependence.  As the shift moves to the reasons for the declining population, readers learn about various factors that can impact specifies populations—natural and unnatural. The extensive efforts by a group of scientists are documented to reveal how quickly a population can become nearly extinct but how slowly it can be to bring it back to a healthy number. The pages are designed to capture the habitat of these amazing birds with textured designs and vivid colors.

One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Woman of Gambia (non-fiction)

Author: Miranda Paul

Illustrator: Elizabeth Zunon

Publisher Summery: Plastic bags are cheap and easy to use.  But what happens when a bag breaks or is not longer needed? In Nijau, Gambia, people simply dropped the bags and went on their way.  One plastic bag became two. Then ten. Then a hundred. The bags accumulated in ugly heaps alongside roads. Water pooled in them, bringing mosquitoes and disease. Some bags were burned, leaving behind a terrible smell. Some were buried, but they strangled gardens.  They killed livestock that tried to eat them. Something had to change.  Isatou Ceesay was that change.  She found a way to recycle the bags and transform her community.

Why I Chose It:  What an inspiring story!  Isatou’s solution cleaned up the environment, decrease the mosquito population (and with it disease), and saved livestock and gardens.  It was not without resistance. While Isatou and some other women worked on a solution, they were called names and laughed at.  Once they began selling their new recycled purses, the naysayers changed their tune.  The women were able to make extra money from this new venture that helped their families buy necessities like livestock.  Eventually, they began contributing their earnings toward an empowerment center where people receive free health care and education.  The center became the home of the region’s first public library.  Their innovation and perseverance has made a positive impact beyond conservation.    

Related Story:  Bag in the Wing (Ted Kooser)

What Can You Do with an Old Red Shoe? (craft book)

Authors: Anna Alter

Illustrator: Anna Alter

Publisher Summery: In this “green” craft book, children can appreciate that recycling is a part of everyday life, and with a little creativity, exciting projects are only a few steps away. Turn a worn flip-flop into an art stamp, a ripped shower curtain into an apron, and an old T-shirt into a pillow. These activities are just a few of the many crafts to be explored. With easy-to-follow instructions, this interactive book will challenge kids to come up with clever recycling ideas of their own in no time!

Why I Chose It: Since the topic of the post is conservation, I thought this book would be a practical way to bring greater awareness.  Each craft has an animal character and short poem. Then, using every day items (most of which end up in a landfill), the characters illustrate with pictures and directions how to make each project. The book ends with a list of additional ways kids, adults, and families can support reuse and recycling.

For the Adventurous (and Imaginative) Reader

The Dumpster Diver (fiction)

Author: Janet S. Wong

Illustrator: David Roberts

Publisher Summery: Anyone can dive for treasure in the ocean, but Steve dives for it in this neighborhood dumpster! As he delves into the trash each weekend, Steve encourages his young neighbors (aka the Diving Team) to see the potential in what other people throw away.  With a little imagination, trash can be transformed into treasure—and as the Diving Team discovers, it might even help a friend in need.

Why I Chose It: Wong does not idealize dumpster diving. As soon as Steve gets in, beetles and spiders splash out. Yuck! Then, the kids spray him (and the items he collects) with a hose when he gets out. Parents do not have to worry about their children begging to dumpster dive.  What I liked about this book is the emphasis on taking discarded items to create new, useful things.  Steve and the Diving Team often use their new creations or what they find to help others.  When the kids need to make a project, they ask for items people are not using (a good alternative while prompting similar results). The Dumpster Diver is an entertaining story that encourages imagination, resourcefulness, and exploration.