Child, Lauren. 2000. BEWARE OF THE STORYBOOK WOLVES. New York:
Arthur A. Levine Books. ISBN 043920500
Story book wolves can be dangerous, especially when they escape from the story and are ready to gulp down little boys. This is the tale of one boy who is able to outsmart these dangerous wolves. His weapon of choice is fairy tales. He enlists the help of a fairy godmother and enabled by his knowledge of fairy tales is able to change the dangerous wolves into a ball attending princess and a caterpillar which is popped back into the story book. The bold illustrations in this story include bits of fabric collage which add texture and interest. The wolves are not terribly scary and this story will leave children with a fresh and humorous look at these menacing villains of fairy tales.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Review: CINDERELLA, Module 2, Picture Books
McClintock, Barbara. 2005. CINDERELLA. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN
0439561450
This is a beautifully illustrated version of Cinderella. The illustrations provide a great deal of royal detail to see on every page. Readers will enjoy studying the intricate images. As in other versions, Cinderella is able to attend the ball and wins over the prince and as usual, claims the glass slipper and lives happily ever after. Luckily for her step family, in this cheery version, they also live happily ever after. Cinderella forgives all for their terrible behavior and even aids her step family in their future. This is a fairy tale in which all end in the best of circumstances. It is truly a happily ever after for all. This tale will demonstrate forgiveness and belief in the positive.
0439561450
This is a beautifully illustrated version of Cinderella. The illustrations provide a great deal of royal detail to see on every page. Readers will enjoy studying the intricate images. As in other versions, Cinderella is able to attend the ball and wins over the prince and as usual, claims the glass slipper and lives happily ever after. Luckily for her step family, in this cheery version, they also live happily ever after. Cinderella forgives all for their terrible behavior and even aids her step family in their future. This is a fairy tale in which all end in the best of circumstances. It is truly a happily ever after for all. This tale will demonstrate forgiveness and belief in the positive.
Review: CIRCLE UNBROKEN, Module 2, Picture Books
Raven, Margot Theis. 2004. CIRCLE UNBROKEN. Ill. by E.B. Lewis. New
York: Melanie Kroupa Books. ISBN 0374312893
Grandmothers regularly pass down traditions and stories from their ancestors. In a CIRCLE UNBROKEN a grandmother teaches her granddaughter the ancient art of creating beautiful, strong coil baskets. While teaching the craft she also teaches her granddaughter the rich history of her African ancestors. She tells of creating the baskets through slavery, hard work, freedom, togetherness, all bridging to modern times. The beautiful painted illustrations serve to compliment the harsh history and the caring people of this story. This selection ends with more factual information about the baskets and the people who make them. This story will inform readers of a rich tradition which has endured through a long and difficult past.
York: Melanie Kroupa Books. ISBN 0374312893
Grandmothers regularly pass down traditions and stories from their ancestors. In a CIRCLE UNBROKEN a grandmother teaches her granddaughter the ancient art of creating beautiful, strong coil baskets. While teaching the craft she also teaches her granddaughter the rich history of her African ancestors. She tells of creating the baskets through slavery, hard work, freedom, togetherness, all bridging to modern times. The beautiful painted illustrations serve to compliment the harsh history and the caring people of this story. This selection ends with more factual information about the baskets and the people who make them. This story will inform readers of a rich tradition which has endured through a long and difficult past.
Review: GERSHON’S MONSTER – A STORY FOR THE JEWISH NEW YEAR, Module 2, Picture Books
Kimmel, Eric A. 2000. GERSHON’S MONSTER – A STORY FOR THE JEWISH
NEW YEAR. Ill. by Jon J. Muth. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN
043910839.
Gerson is a man who, like most, makes mistakes. Unfortunately he is a man who is oblivious to these mistakes. He is selfish and refuses to learn from his faults, he “swept them up and tossed them into the cellar. Then, once a year on Rosh Hashanah, he stuffed them into a sack, dragged the enormous bundle down to the sea, and tossed it in”. This selfishness almost costs this family their most precious possessions, their children. This man learns a very valuable lesson and is finally able to repent and learn from his mistakes. The dark watercolor illustrations help to portray the seriousness of Gershon’s mistakes and the customs of the Jewish people. They bring further understanding to the text. This Jewish legend ends with an author’s note which delivers additional information about the Jewish tradition of “casting one’s sins into the sea”.
NEW YEAR. Ill. by Jon J. Muth. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN
043910839.
Gerson is a man who, like most, makes mistakes. Unfortunately he is a man who is oblivious to these mistakes. He is selfish and refuses to learn from his faults, he “swept them up and tossed them into the cellar. Then, once a year on Rosh Hashanah, he stuffed them into a sack, dragged the enormous bundle down to the sea, and tossed it in”. This selfishness almost costs this family their most precious possessions, their children. This man learns a very valuable lesson and is finally able to repent and learn from his mistakes. The dark watercolor illustrations help to portray the seriousness of Gershon’s mistakes and the customs of the Jewish people. They bring further understanding to the text. This Jewish legend ends with an author’s note which delivers additional information about the Jewish tradition of “casting one’s sins into the sea”.
Review: THE OTHER SIDE, Module 2, Picture Books
Woodson, Jacqueline. 2001. THE OTHER SIDE. Ill. by E.B. Lewis. New York: G.P.
Putnam’s Sons. ISBN 0399231161
This is the story of a town divided by a wooden fence. The white citizens reside on one side of the fence and on the opposite side live the black citizens. There is no apparent reason for the fence other than “that is the way it has always been”. Life is good on each side. Children play and enjoy the summer in their peaceful neighborhoods. They are told, “Don’t climb over that fence when you play.” It is not safe. Curious children do not always do as their parents wish, as is the case here. Two girls from opposite sides do not exactly disobey the rules about the fence, they stretch them. Rather that climb the fence they begin by sitting atop it. This is where they begin their friendship which blossoms regardless of the fence which divides their lives. The beautiful watercolors depict carefree children full of expression. The illustrations complement the text and help to portray a new and valuable friendship which breaks racial barriers.
Putnam’s Sons. ISBN 0399231161
This is the story of a town divided by a wooden fence. The white citizens reside on one side of the fence and on the opposite side live the black citizens. There is no apparent reason for the fence other than “that is the way it has always been”. Life is good on each side. Children play and enjoy the summer in their peaceful neighborhoods. They are told, “Don’t climb over that fence when you play.” It is not safe. Curious children do not always do as their parents wish, as is the case here. Two girls from opposite sides do not exactly disobey the rules about the fence, they stretch them. Rather that climb the fence they begin by sitting atop it. This is where they begin their friendship which blossoms regardless of the fence which divides their lives. The beautiful watercolors depict carefree children full of expression. The illustrations complement the text and help to portray a new and valuable friendship which breaks racial barriers.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Review: Elijah of Buxton, Module One, Intro to Children and their Literature
Curtis, Christopher Paul. ELIJAH OF BUXTON. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 9780439023443
This is the historical fiction story of Elijah, the first free black child born in the city of Buxton, Canada. Elijah is a young, smart boy who works hard at school and at his chores. He enjoys doing things which boys enjoy such as fishing. As the story progresses Elijah learns that life is not so simple and good for all black people. He learns how dear freedom is and the tremendous price people are willing to pay to be free. This story will inform readers about this horrible, shameful period from our history. When Elijah comes across a group of captured black slaves readers will learn just how desperate the situation was. It is a very hard lesson to realize that there was absolutely no hope for these people to escape. It is also an extreme lesson to realize what a mother must do to help her daughter escape from slavery. The dialogue and setting in this story bring the reader back to this time. Children will relate to Elijah and his antics, scaring his mom with a toady frog and wanting to learn about family breeding contests, and will become moved as he learns from experience what freedom really means.
This is the historical fiction story of Elijah, the first free black child born in the city of Buxton, Canada. Elijah is a young, smart boy who works hard at school and at his chores. He enjoys doing things which boys enjoy such as fishing. As the story progresses Elijah learns that life is not so simple and good for all black people. He learns how dear freedom is and the tremendous price people are willing to pay to be free. This story will inform readers about this horrible, shameful period from our history. When Elijah comes across a group of captured black slaves readers will learn just how desperate the situation was. It is a very hard lesson to realize that there was absolutely no hope for these people to escape. It is also an extreme lesson to realize what a mother must do to help her daughter escape from slavery. The dialogue and setting in this story bring the reader back to this time. Children will relate to Elijah and his antics, scaring his mom with a toady frog and wanting to learn about family breeding contests, and will become moved as he learns from experience what freedom really means.
Review: The Wall, Module One, Intro to Children and their Literature
Sis, Peter. 2007. THE WALL. New York: Frances Foster Books. ISBN 9780374347017
This is the story of Peter Sis. Peter Sis grew up in Communist Czechoslovakia in the mid 1900’s. This is the story of a boy growing into his teen years who wanted to explore his personality but because of his surroundings, he was stifled. This book will make adolescents aware that many things which we take for granted are not always come by easily for everyone. In Communist Czechoslovakia many things which Americans consider basic rights are forbidden. People have to think carefully about the consequences of their actions. People are watched and only allowed to see what the government wishes them to see. Teenagers find out about current trends, such as rock and roll, but have a difficult time enjoying it due to “no records, no instruments, no stylish clothes. We have to make and invent everything. We all want to be Beatles”. The illustrations are very complementary to the story. Many of the drawings are drawn in black, white, and red. These colors bring out the sternness of the government and the seriousness of the times. In other places color and whimsy are used to portray the dreams and desires of a growing boy. This is a story which gives an awareness of different peoples in different governments. It makes us appreciate what may be easily taken for granted.
This is the story of Peter Sis. Peter Sis grew up in Communist Czechoslovakia in the mid 1900’s. This is the story of a boy growing into his teen years who wanted to explore his personality but because of his surroundings, he was stifled. This book will make adolescents aware that many things which we take for granted are not always come by easily for everyone. In Communist Czechoslovakia many things which Americans consider basic rights are forbidden. People have to think carefully about the consequences of their actions. People are watched and only allowed to see what the government wishes them to see. Teenagers find out about current trends, such as rock and roll, but have a difficult time enjoying it due to “no records, no instruments, no stylish clothes. We have to make and invent everything. We all want to be Beatles”. The illustrations are very complementary to the story. Many of the drawings are drawn in black, white, and red. These colors bring out the sternness of the government and the seriousness of the times. In other places color and whimsy are used to portray the dreams and desires of a growing boy. This is a story which gives an awareness of different peoples in different governments. It makes us appreciate what may be easily taken for granted.
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